Advocacy & Safety - My little stories

Hi guys.

First of all, let me start of by saying that I live in an area that is not very developed biking/cycling wise. The sport just hasn't progressed here, probably for several reasons.

Anyways, I am fortunate enough to have my high school to be within a 10 minute bike ride to me. I ride to school now as often as I can, but that is besides the point.

Let me tell you guys, I ride the sidewalk for the most part of my route. I just wouldn't feel safe on the road. The way that takes me to school is 40 km/h zone, where you have trucks doing 60, and reckless teens doing about the same! These are the same idiots that you hear going WRRRROOOOOOMMmm ***squeal*** for no reason. However, I am very careful around the small amount of pedestrians, and do not get in their way.

Lately I've started to see a lot of kids riding their bikes. I guess this is a good sign. Maybe the sport will pick up in the next 5 years in my area. They’re probably around 10. Needless to say, 95% of them aren’t wearing a helmet. Anyways, a lot of these guys see my practicing wheelies or whatever, and ask me how I do it, etc. The very thing I tell them is to WEAR a helmet. I’m not sure if it’s sinking in.. maybe it is.
Anyways, that’s it, for now.

Wow. I've been under the impression that Toronto was a great bike freindly town.

Maybe there is just a problem using that particular route?

I think I forgot to note that I live in Maple. I consider this to be in Toronto, but we are actually a bit North.

I've never actually had to commute when I did live in Toronto - it might be a bit better there, but not by much. The drivers here are just too ********.

Let me tell you guys, I ride the sidewalk for the most part of my route. I just wouldn't feel safe on the road. The way that takes me to school is 40 km/h zone, where you have trucks doing 60, and reckless teens doing about the same! These are the same idiots that you hear going WRRRROOOOOOMMmm ***squeal*** for no reason.

We have the same types of idiots around here, except they're usually driving at 90-120km/h when they're not stuck in traffic (which seems to happen surprisingly often during commuting times). For all that, I still feel safer on the road, probably because the footpath/sidewalk wouldn't give me as much space to avoid the idiots who drive on it.

We have the same idiot drivers here. I don't recomend riding on the sidewalk, but if you do not only watch out for pedestrians but cars comming out of driveways and make sure they see you at intersectons. Watch for people making right turns in to you. I find most drivers don't pay attention to what or who is on the sidewalk. And a big thumbs up for you view on helmets.