Western Canada - Vancouver Cyclists - Important!

Read page A11 of today's (August 13) Vancouver Sun.

This article by Douglas Todd, the Sun's spirituality columnist, is the best article I've read so far on the subject of getting more people on bikes.

Note: My cycling experience and background make me largely a supporter of John Forester, and even though she indicates that her recommendations "fly in the face" of Forester's belief that cyclists should just take hold of their rights to use the road, the UBC researcher does note in the article that her own research has corroborated the old Cross studies (relied upon by Forester) that bike paths that allow use by peds are more dangerous than even busy, heavily-trafficked roadways.

I think we need some balance here between intelligent cycling infrastructure and Forester, but I think this article sets the right tone.

Luis

I wish lots of major cities would construct the proper infrastructure for cyclists.
I rarely ride my bike due to the fact that the drivers here are quite inconsiderate to cyclists.


PS here is the link to the article Ihbernhardt was referring to. http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/What+would+take+bike/1888380/story.html

Another challenge the city needs to tackle is bike theft. Alot of riders will never ride to work only to leave their $$$ bicycle at an outdoor bike rack. Lower Mainland property is one of the highest in North America. Bicycle theft here has come to a point of being its own micro-industry. Just scan Craigslist and the various threads on stolen bikes.

Read the article this morning -- it's a good one. Lots of stuff is being done in the Lower Mainland to make cycling better, but there's a lot more to be done yet. Thanks for posting this, lhbernhardt.

Another challenge the city needs to tackle is bike theft. Alot of riders will never ride to work only to leave their $$$ bicycle at an outdoor bike rack. Lower Mainland property is one of the highest in North America. Bicycle theft here has come to a point of being its own micro-industry. Just scan Craigslist and the various threads on stolen bikes.

This I think comes down to the employer primarily. Unless you want more taxes to have some government run "Bike parkades" or something.

Or perhaps try talking to the people who do run the Parkades. See if they can set up a trial "Bike Locker" or something.

I've mentioned before that I cycle and drive a large, heavy commercial truck within the city. Most news comments are directed toward car and truck drivers having little respect for cyclists. A lot of the cyclists I see everyday try to "share the road" and flow with the traffic, as do the majority of bus and truck drivers. Unfortunately, there are those cyclists that arrogantly refuse to "share", run through red lights and stop signs, or generally ignore most rules of the road. These riders do serious harm to the cyclist's image and challenge to gain more safe accessibility throughout the city. Polled citizens that have bikes but don't normally ride within the city streets, say it is too dangerous. I would suggest that these people would enjoy the experience a lot more were they to ride the numerous bike paths and routes, or use lightly travelled side streets, only using the busy, congested, main streets when necessary. Too often I see cyclists riding in dark clothing, without helmets, reflectors, vests, or anything to advertise their presence, or pulling all manner of loaded trailers on these high volume streets when they could just as easily use an adjacent side street. Respect, tolerance, and consideration is a two-way street, and must be earned.

This I think comes down to the employer primarily. Unless you want more taxes to have some government run "Bike parkades" or something.

Or perhaps try talking to the people who do run the Parkades. See if they can set up a trial "Bike Locker" or something.

Check out the parkade next to BCIT downtown on Seymour St. For about $35/month you can park your bike in a secure room adjacent to the parkade. I understand they also have lockers and shower facilities (I haven't bought in since I've got access to another secure bike room).

I think employers should be providing these sorts of facilities to their employees for free (and maybe selling excess capacity to non-employees to recoup some of their costs). Reasonable?

L.