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in this issueBike to Work Week | Road Bullies | Fifty Shades of Biking | Referendum | Cycling on the Move
The Bike Valet | Osprey Loop | GrandFondo Workshop | Cycling Hazards | #YVR Family Easter Bonnet Ride
VOTE YES!
For Cycling & Transit
Transportation
Referendum
Phot
o by
: Lis
a Co
rriv
eau
ww
w.sp
okes
mam
a.co
m
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3, MAY 2015
FREE WILLY
This is carsharing.1-month trial membership + 5 hours free drivingmodo.coop/wecycle*Offer valid for new members only; may not be used in conjunction with other offers.
- 2 -Vancity - We Cycle Ad_10x11 Colour(s)
AD SIZE: 10”X11" PRESS / STOCK: US SWOP V2 RES ARTWORK: 300 PPIBLEED: N/A ARTWORK SCALE: 1 : 1 FILE FORMAT: PDF/X-1A
Vancity - We Cycle Ad_10x11_V3.PDF
NOTE : Trap at OutputFebruary 3, 2015 1:30 PM
CYANMAG
YELLOWBLACK604-224-3757
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- 3 -
WE CYCLE
“The publication for passionate pedallers”
WeCycle is a newspaper magazine dedicated to the cycling commuter, their families and organizations. We believe this demographic is made of people who care about
their environment, their food and local economy.
Published year-round, 11 issues per year with a double issue in
Dec/Jan. 5000 printed copies are distributed along bike routes,
in community centres and libraries with dozens of
street drops and racks.
Editorial comes from the wonderful writers at the BC Cycling Coalition,
HUB and free lance journalists.
Editor/Publisher:Mailing Address:
1-1455 Brigantine Drive Coquitlam, BC V3K 7C2
Policy Editor: Richard CampbellPage Layout: IWE Prepress
Ad sales: [email protected] photo: Lisa Corriveau
By Julia Rotte
Everyone knows that commuting by bike presents a
healthy, cash-saving and environmentally friendly alternative
to driving cars or using public transit. And with spring finally
here, more and more riders are getting back in the saddle to
hit the bike paths. But most of us are creatures of habit and it
may require a little more than sunshine to lure us out of our
daily routines. This is where Bike to Work Week from HUB
Cycling comes in.
If you have always been thinking about using your bike
to get around, be it to ride to work, do the school run or go
to the grocery store, there simply is no better occasion to get
started than during this fun week-long event. In the last week
of May, over fifty Celebration Stations in Metro Vancouver
will provide free coffee, snacks, and bike tune-ups to passing
riders. Bike to Work Week will get even more people on bikes,
logging their journeys online to win prizes while collectively
raising awareness for cycling.
But Bike to Work Week is not only an event for those new
to riding. It's just as thrilling for seasoned cyclists to celebrate
their daily commutes. And beyond spreading the bike love,
this fun event encourages an open conversation between all
road users about
their particular needs
and challenges. Use
Bike to Work Week
to spread the word
at the workplace and
get more colleagues
on bikes too: recruit
a company team, re-
mind management
that employees who
ride to work are
proven to be hap-
pier, healthier and
more productive,
then ask for the safe
bike parking facilities
you always wanted
to make sure cycling
to work stays a viable
option in the long
term.
Here's how it works:
Register for Bike
to Work Week
at bikehub.ca/
btww. You can
either register
a new team or
join an existing team at your workplace. Make sure to log all
your trips during Bike to Work Week from May 25-31, as each
day you do you'll be entered to win a brand new bike. In addi-
tion, all participants in BC who log at least one trip this spring
will be entered to win a trip for 2 to Europe. Check out the
Celebration Station Map online and plan your route to collect
as many free coffees and prizes as possible each day. To round
off a successful week, a free Bike to Work Week BBQ will be
held at Creekside Park on Friday, May 29th from 4pm - 7pm.
Hope to see you there!
Julia Rotte is a volunteer with HUB CyclingBike to Work Week is May 25-31 and you can register free at bikehub.ca/btww Questions? Email [email protected]
Oge and Brenden from the Vancouver Airport Authority riding on the grand prize e-bikes up for grabs this spring
HUB Bike to Work Week is May 25-31
- 4 -
Melissa Bruntlett, modacitylife.com
Earlier this week, I had to run an errand.
Being that it is currently March Break, the
kids joined me on a short ride from East
Vancouver, along the 10th Avenue bikeway,
to our bank at Cambie and Broadway. It was
the first opportunity we had that day to get
out of the house, and it was great to ride
alongside my children on a sunny afternoon.
And then it went downhill...
As we approached a traffic circle just
before the intersection at Fraser and 10th, I
heard the familiar sound of a car coming up
behind us. So I assumed my usual position -
I ride abreast my two children, with one of
them behind the other. The reason behind
this is that when cycling on my own, more
often than I would like, I’ve had cars pass too
closely to me. So for the safety of my kids, I
want to ensure the same thing won’t hap-
pen to them, putting them at risk.
Etienne’s impeccable dress sense often
makes him the most stylish cyclist on the
bikeway.
As we kept riding, it seemed the car was
getting closer, and before I could do any-
thing, a red mini pulled up right next to us,
far too close for comfort. Knowing better,
the children and I immediately stopped, in
order to keep ourselves from being clipped
by this obviously irresponsible driver. Then
the car stopped, too, rolling down the pas-
senger window. The driver of the car pro-
ceeded to scold me, stating the street is a
“shared road”.
I did my very best to communicate that
I am well aware it’s a shared road, mean-
ing he needs to share with us, too, having
full right to the space we were using. But
as we’ve found countless times before, in
the more than acceptable number of en-
counters we’ve had with motorists, he was
not willing to hear what I had to say. I then
noticed something startling - this gentle-
men had a toddler clipped up in the back
seat, and I was beside myself. This random
stranger was willing put my children in dan-
ger in order to get past us, all the while being
a parent himself, a fact I pointed out very ve-
hemently, but to no avail.
Her tights match her jacket match her
scarf/gloves match her helmet. I assure you,
that isn’t a coincidence.
Eventually, realizing this ignorant hu-
man being was not only blocking my fam-
ily but also several other cars and cyclists, I
yelled for him to just go and leave us alone.
That was likely the end of the discomfort
for him, aside from presumably moaning
about me later to others. Unfortunately,
that same luxury is never afforded to me.
Not only was I left upset and on the verge
of tears for the remainder of our trip, but I
also needed to calm my own children. My
youngest was noticeably upset and scared,
having had to stand there on the road, his
safety, not to mention that of his sister and
mother, compromised while this person in
a vehicle capable of doing significant harm
blocked their path. Needless to say, it took
a considerable amount of time and effort to
keep myself calm enough to make sure my
children were okay.
Here’s the thing: more than anything,
that driver was being a bully. He, in his car,
felt his space, journey, etc, were more impor-
tant than our own, and was willing to literally
stop traffic to tell me that. What lesson did
he actually teach that day? He showed his
small child that it’s okay to put other peo-
ple’s safety at risk for his own benefit, even
other kids. As a society, we spend countless
hours, and dedicate an entire day, to battle
bullying, but I am continually amazed how
getting behind the wheel of a car negates all
of our teachings.
Fully-separated routes - like this one on
Great Northern Way - are much more com-
fortable and enjoyable when riding with kids.
A stark realization was that my first in-
stinct was to think to myself: “What’s the
point of doing this - riding our bikes to get
around?” And then I realized how troubling
that thought was. Despite being one of
many families that travel by bike throughout
this city, we have frequently been referred
to as ‘The Biking Family”. If this so-called
bicycle family is reconsidering our mode of
transport, what hope is there for those curi-
ous but nervous about two-wheeled travel
with children? I will happily admit that we
are more thick-skinned (and stubborn) than
most of our peers, and understand the big-
ger picture: that by setting the example for
others, we encourage people to try modes
of travel other than a car. So when families
like our own no longer want to deal with
inevitable road conflict and bullies, there’s a
bigger problem at hand.
There are several things that can be
done to start mitigating driver/cyclist con-
flict. First, on stretches like 10th Avenue,
limiting on-street parking to just one side
of the street would increase road space,
meaning it could be easily shared between
the two modes without one feeling bullied
out of the space. Further traffic-calming like
lower speed limits and restricting through-
ways for cars would also eliminate motorists
using bikeways as a means to by-pass busier
streets like Broadway and 12th Avenue.
There is also the antiquated law in BC
against riding abreast (side-by-side), that
makes the simple act of riding next to your
kids illegal.
It’s an image like this that makes me
proud of the family I have and the life we lead.
Driver education is also key. In the Mo-
tor Vehicle Act, it states clearly that cyclists
are entitled to adequate road space, mean-
ing cars must give cyclists at least one me-
tre of breadth when passing. Many drivers
The Road Bully Effect
- 5 -
Lisa Corriveau, spokesmama.com
At the playground recently, I got into a conversation
with a couple of moms about biking with our kids. One
of them has a Yuba elBoda Boda (an electric midtail car-
go bike) (we’ll call her Ms. Boda Boda) & the other one
is thinking about starting to ride with her three little kids
(we’ll call her Ms. Maybe Bike). Ms. Maybe Bike said she
wasn’t sure if she could do it, so Ms. Boda Boda chimed in
& suggested she consider an electric bike. Ms. Maybe Bike
went on to say that she’s not sure if she’s “a cyclist, you
know, one of those people who ride”.
I try to focus on how easy riding is & how many ad-
vantages it has over driving or taking transit--especially
with two or three little kids. I love riding & I’ve been bik-
ing for transportation on & off for over 15 years now, so
it’s second nature to me, & I can get a little carried away
talking about the load of paving stones Oli biked home or
the four giant Ikea bags of clothes I rode with to a clothing
exchange.
I think people have the idea that cycling is all or noth-
ing. Black & white. You’re either a die-hard, gearhead who
bikes everywhere in all weather & always has bike grease
under your fingernails, or you don’t bike at all. But it’s
really a continuum, it’s many shades of grey.
There’s no reason you can’t just ride once in
a while, in good weather, & normal clothing
is perfectly fine for biking--often preferable if
you have little kids, because who has time to
change out of stinky spandex when you get to
your destination, right?
Some people might consider me a “hard
core cyclist”, since I talk about it, blog about it, I even wear
it on t-shirts. But really, I’m not all cycling all the time--
it’s just one of my options. We don’t own a car, but we
do drive Modo carshare vehicles once or twice a month
when we go somewhere farther than we’d want to ride,
or in really awful weather. I take transit sometimes, like
when Linnaeus & I went to see the Nutcracker Ballet last
December, or when we went out to the Beaty Biodiver-
sity Museum at UBC with another family. I also don’t re-
ally ride that far most of the time. Preschool drop-offs are
about a 2km round trip, most of my grocery shopping or
errands are within 3km of home. Even when I do a Costco
run, I usually buy less than I would if I were driving & it’s
just a 15 minute ride from home.
I think maybe all the labelling divides people. Cyclist,
MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra), Gear Head, Moun-
tain Biker, Bike Commuter, Weekend Warrior, Recreation-
al Rider... I get that our transportation can sometimes feel
like a part of our identity, but let’s not let semantics get
in our way. Just get on a bike & ride. Try it on a weekend
or evening, on an off-street path like the seawall or the
Central Valley Greenway. Leave the car at home & do a
quick run to the grocery store near your house for two or
three things. Ride five blocks to the park with your kids on
a sunny day. Just do it. I bet you’ll like it.
Online at: spokesmama.com/2015/03/ 50-shades-of-biking.htmlLisa Corriveau blogs about family cycling, living green & what’s going on in East Van at Spokesma-ma.com. Her “minivan” (A longtail cargo bike) is powered by cheese, craft beer & chocolate.
50 Shades of Biking
either don’t know this or choose not to fol-
low the rule, leaving vulnerable road users
- like my children - at risk. Hence why I ride
abreast with them. Just as with cars, if a mo-
torist is not able to safely overtake a cyclist,
they must wait. Rules like these need to be
driven home, for lack of a better expression,
with all new and current licensed motorists.
With proper driver education, road safety
for all users will be much improved.
Fret not, the Bruntlett family will contin-
ue to ride our bikes to get around as often as
possible. However, I can say without doubt
that certain stretches, such as the 10th Av-
enue bikeway, will remain low on my list of
safe bike routes to use with my kids. I will in-
stead opt for routes that keep my family ful-
ly-separated from automobile traffic. I can
only hope that in the years to come, those
separated options will become more read-
ily available, encouraging the bike-curious
to travel with children, knowing their most
precious of cargo is much safer in doing so.
Online at: modacitylife.com/blog/2015/3/19 /the-road-bully-effect
The Road Bully Effect Continued
Past issues of WeCycle can be
found here:http://www.bccc.bc.ca/wecycle
- 6 -
Yes for Cycling
and Transit Vote by
Mail Now!A Yes vote will enable you, your friends and family to safely and
comfortably cycle across the region to work, school, shopping and transit
as well as for recreation and exercise. And, when you would
rather take transit, there will a bus or a train nearby arriving within a few short minutes. With a million
more people expected to live here in a few decades, a Yes vote is critical
to the health of our environment and economy.
Mail your ballot NOW! Make sure your ballot reaches Elections BC on
or before May 29.
If you have not received a ballot, register to vote or update your voter
information at: elections.bc.ca or call 800-661-8683 before midnight
May 15, 2015.
If you have lost or damaged your ballot, phone Elections BC at:
1-800-661-8683
More on the referendum and the planned cycling improvements at:
bccc.bc.ca/yes
Over the past year, I’ve watched helplessly as our Pro-
vincial Government has moved forward with the Metro
Vancouver Transportation and Transit Plebiscite. Like
many other Millennials(those 18 to 36 years old) I’ve been
saddled with frustration as the provincial government has
doled out millions of dollars for environmentally question-
able initiatives like LNG subsidies and highway projects
while insisting that an expensive public opinion poll, in the
form of a plebiscite, is necessary to determine whether to
invest money into our over-burdened transit system. This
is particularly noteworthy given the government’s own
survey which shows that only 50% of participants support
the development of LNG and other resource develop-
ment whereas 90% supported the government increasing
transit services for communities across B.C.
Though I disapprove of this politically motivated pleb-
iscite, I will be participating and voting yes and I urge fel-
low Millennials to as well, so that necessary public transit
infrastructure gets built.
Unlike the older generation governing our province,
Millennials consider investments in car alternatives urgent
and essential. Though many of us grew up being carted
around in the back of cars, we have not bought into the
outdated, inefficient, expensive, environmentally unsus-
tainable, and socially-isolating car-centric lifestyle. For
those of us who use a combination of transit, walking, and
cycling on a regular basis, putting transit investments to a
vote is as ridiculous as voting on whether we should invest
in other essential public goods like sewers, railings on tall
bridges, and elementary schools.
Our generation’s changing attitudes towards cars and
lifestyle are well documented. From 2007 to 2011, the
number of cars purchased by people aged 18 to 34, fell
almost 30%. According to a study from the AAA Founda-
tion for Traffic Safety only 44% of teens obtain a driver’s
license within the first year of becoming eligible with just
54% licensed before turning 18. According to Nielsen’s
recent Millennials, Breaking the Myths report, 62% of
those aged 18-36 indicate they prefer to live in the type
of mixed-use communities found in urban centres, where
they are close to shops, restaurants, and offices, eliminat-
ing the need for a car.
Millennials should vote yes if they’re tired of seeing
older generations continuing to determine what our com-
munities look like for decades into the future. Millennials
should vote yes if they’re tired of seeing our governments
shirking their responsibility to do something about cli-
mate change and acting like offering environmentally
sustainable ways to move around our communities in not
an urgent priority. Millennials should vote yes if they want
to raise their children in communities with clean air with
streets that are vibrant because people are out taking tran-
sit, walking, and cycling. Millennials should vote yes if they
believe a transportation system designed around a vehicle
that costs an average of $10,000 a year according to CAA
is inequitable, outdated, and ridiculous.
I speak for many Millennials when I say that Vancou-
ver needs to invest in environmentally sustainable, space
efficient, and equitable transportation systems right now.
Let’s not pass the buck on to our kids the way our parents
did. Even if we completely disregarded climate change and
the unacceptable inequities inherent in investing in car-
centric infrastructure, especially when large proportions of
the population can barely afford rent, it is clear right now
that the demand for transit exceeds the available supply.
The Provincial Government’s decision to risk the pos-
sibility of a no-vote victory, with no alternate plan and
only the status quo to fall back on, demonstrates that our
political leaders are under the false impression that invest-
ments in essential transit infrastructure are optional. A
yes-victory will send a concrete message to the Province
and will ensure that urgently needed transit infrastructure
is on the today’s political agenda. Given the indifference of
our current provincial government and the historical lack
of effective pro-transit mobilizing, a yes-vote is essential if
we want to see our government invest in car alternatives
starting this year.
Fellow Millennials, I encourage you to join me in lever-
aging this ill-conceived plebiscite to send a clear message
to our Provincial leaders that we want a better transpor-
tation system now. Our generation votes in record low
numbers so please break the trend on this one. I encour-
age you to direct any hesitations that you have about
Translink’s governance, provincial budget management,
and the disregard our political leaders have for an environ-
mentally sustainable future toward mobilizing ourselves
for the next provincial election.
Millennials and Everyone Else Should Vote Yes for a Better FutureSarah FioRito
- 7 -
Free Air & Oil 110 Davie St - 604.648.2600 • 1810 Fir St - 604.731.2420 • 1357 Hornby St - 604.669.8311 www.reckless.ca
...every day!
B.C. on the Move, the Province’s new 10-year trans-
portation plan marks a significant opportunity to improve
cycling B.C. Pointing to the strength of the Island cycling
community in the Lower Mainland including HUB, 80%
of respondents to the on-line survey supported enhanc-
ing cycling infrastructure. In this online survey, “More bike
lanes/protected cyclist access” came in second of all the
priorities just after improved maintenance.
C y c l i n g
was also a
key theme
at 32 of the
engagement
m e e t i n g s
held with
municipali-
ties, First Na-
tions and
stakeholder
groups. Par-
t i c i p a n t s
s u p p o r t e d
i m p r o v e -
ments and
expansion to
cycling and
p e d e s t r i a n
i n f r a s t r u c -
ture as a critical
way to improve connections within and between com-
munities.
As part of the plan, the B.C. government will increase
the BC Bikes cost-shared funding available to communities
to improve cycling infrastructure. The government is com-
mitting $18 million over the next three years to this pro-
gram - a 50% increase over previous years. This will help
fund municipal and regional projects such as multi-use
paths, bike lanes, overpasses and shoulder bikeways. With
shared funding from local communities, that’s potentially
$36 million in cycling infrastructure improvements in
communities throughout B.C.
On main cycling corridors, they will double the fre-
quency of sweeping to improve the experience and safety
of cyclists. The government will also consider opportu-
nities for improvements focused on widening highway
shoulders.
To support cycling tourism, the Province will develop
and implement a new Cycling Tourism Signage and Mar-
keting Strategy to promote B.C.’s beautiful cycling routes.
This strategy will be piloted in the Okanagan. A Vancouver
Island/Lower Mainland loop is also another great cycling
tourism opportunity.
While this announcement is a good start, there is still
much that needs to be done to improve cycling in B.C.
The $18 million over three years is a definite improve-
ment. However, much more funding is needed. In Metro
Vancouver alone, the cost of completing cycling networks
around the region is estimated to be more than $800
million. The BC Cycling Coalition is recommending that
the Province invest $100 million per year in cycling and
walking facilities both in communities and along Provin-
cial highways and bridges. This investment in instructure
should also be complemented by funding for cycling edu-
cation and marketing.
The cycling components of the Plan were included in
the announcement by Minister Stone of the $7 million
cycling and pedestrian improvements for the Stanley Park
C a u s e w a y .
U p g r a d e s
such as this
on Provincial
facilities are
on top of the
$18 million
for BC Bikes.
With many
other road
upgrades in-
cluded in the
$2.5 billion,
there is the
opportunity
for cycling
and pedestri-
an improve-
ments to be
included in
those projects.
The BC Cycling Coalition will be working with our mem-
ber groups including to ensure that high quality cycling
facilities are an integral part of all road projects.
With an election coming up in 2017, we need to build
upon this success over the next year to encourage Pro-
vincial politicians to commit more funding for cycling
improvement. Now is the time to bring up your cycling
priorities with your MLA and Ministry Staff.
More at: bccc.bc.ca/transportation_plan
Proposed Stanley Park Causeway Improvements, MoTI
Cycling on the MoveProvince Announces $18 Million for Cycling
- 8 -
We’ve been parking bikes at all Whitecaps home games
since 2012 (after testing the waters in 2011). We’ve had
our official spot at Gate F since then, but construction
had us moving to Gate C for the 2015 season.
In past years the early season hasn’t been too busy,
with opening games getting at most 10 bicycles. This
year, something changed- and it wasn’t just the weath-
er. With over 120 bicycles parked on the home opener
March 7th, we’re sure to be breaking even more records
as the weather gets warmer!! GO CAPS GO!
The rest of April promises to be a big month for The
Bicycle Valet! Where will we be? Here’s a handy dandy list:
• ALL Whitecaps home games including April 25
• Broadway Youth Resource Centre Open
House (April 17)
• Vancouver Sun Run (April 19)
• Earth Day at Laura Secord Elementary School
(April 22)
• Party for the Planet (April 25)
And that’s not all… We’re also holding a volunteer
training night on April 21! Looking for a sweet volun-
teering gig where you can connect with the community,
get outdoors, encourage sustainable transportation,
and be part of an amazing team? Your search is over!
For any questions about The Bicycle Valet con-
tact Sinead Stinson at [email protected]
or 604-669-2860 ext. 207.
More at: thebicyclevalet.caPhoto at: http://thebicyclevalet.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5037-1024x399.jpg
Bicycle Valet Off to Great Start in ‘15New Spot for Whitecaps Games Smashes the Record!
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L GITORLOSE @VancouverPD VancouverPoliceDepartment VPD.CA
LOG IT AND PROTECT YOUR BIKE.Over 2,000 bikes stolen each year. Over 800 bikes stolen in summer. 9 bikes stolen per day.
LOCK IT!• It takes only seconds for something to be stolen.• Lock rear wheel with small, hardened steel U-Lock inside the rear triangle and
lock to an immovable object.• Lock cable lock or other U-Lock on front wheel.• Lock quick-release skewers.
ENGRAVE IT!• Ensure the marking is permanent! • Engrave your B.C. driver’s license or B.C. Identification Card number.• Call your local community policing centre for assistance with engraving.
RECORD IT!• Record your property on paper or on an electronic spreadsheet.• Record the following information:
serial number, make, model, colour, any identifying or unique marks.• Save this information in multiple locations that is easily accessible (make sure
you retain a hard copy).
PHOTOGRAPH IT!• Take photos and save them in multiple locations that are easily accessible.
Consider saving the photos to a disc or an external hard drive (or both), hidden away from your computer.
REPORT IT!The VPD recovers thousands of bikes each year. Serial numbers are checked to see if they have been reported stolen. If you’ve logged it and reported your serial number to police, they may be able to connect you with your stolen bike.
Protect your bike by logging it now. For more information, go to VPD.CA
- 10 -
The Osprey Loop – Dog Friendly Trail for CyclingOsprey Loop Dyke Trail in Pitt Meadows, BC, on the Alouette River
JOE GOODWILLa.k.a. AVERAGE JOE CYCLIST
We recently discovered this gem of a rural family cy-
cling trail, just 30 minutes east of Vancouver. Not only
is it great for cycling, but the Osprey Loop is also one of
the most dog friendly trails we have ever found. This is
great, as we have two small dogs that Mrs. Average Joe
Cyclist loves to take along. As their legs are so short, they
often ride in their Axiom Premium Pet Baskets.
This is a short, easy, completely-flat, well sign-posted
bike or hike trail for the whole family (plus dog). It’s part
of the still unfinished Trans Canada Trail.
The Osprey Loop is well worth the trip – you need
to transport your bikes (and your dogs) there, but once
you get there, it’s a little slice of cycling heaven. This dog
friendly trail is a dyke trail that runs alongside the Alou-
ette and Pitt Rivers, slicing through the beautiful Pitt
Meadows countryside, with horizons as far as the eye
can see.
Sights along this dog friendly trail include blueberry
farms, roaming cattle, small marinas, the interesting flot-
sam of boats long dead, wonderful mountains, birds in
abundance and the occasional bald eagle, and at some
points the Pitt River Bridge in the distance.
This dog friendly trail is utterly flat, with absolute-
ly no car access, so it could not be safer for cycling or
walking the dogs. This dyke trail is as family friendly as
it’s possible to be. We met a woman in her retirement
years who has been cycling these dog friendly trails for
40 years – with the same Raleigh bike! Here it is – unfor-
tunately the lady declined to be photographed, but here
is her tough old Raleigh. We were very impressed to see a
senior person enjoying miles of cycling on a vintage bike.
That might be us one day – except that with my bike
obsession, it would be a new bike.
We also loved that everyone we met was mellow
and friendly. This dog friendly trail is bike friendly, dog
friendly, and human friendly. But if you go there in the
afternoon on the weekend, do not expect to be able to
ride fast. There are dogs roaming free everywhere, and
young children enjoying possibly their first bike ride. On
the other hand, what a great place to take your child to
learn to ride a bike. If they fall, it’s on soil, not pavement,
and it’s completely safe.
This 7 km dog friendly trail could potentially be a cy-
cling training trail, if you are in training to get fitter and
cycle better (see my Beginner Cyclist Training Plan). But
to use this dog friendly trail as a cycling training trail, you
really would need to get there at daybreak on the week-
ends, or fairly early on a weekday. Mrs. Average Joe Cy-
clist took a walk there recently with our grandson, at 10
a.m. on a weekday, and it was very quiet, and they saw a
bald eagle. She says you could have done a cycling train-
ing ride there at that time, as it was very quiet.
However, on weekend afternoons, there will be too
many small children and dogs for it to be safe to cycle
fast.
As for dogs on this dog friendly trail: part of the trail
specifies on-leash dogs, and part of it specifies off-leash
Our two dogs who love to run on the Osprey Link dog friendly trail
Cyclists and dogs mix it up happily on the Osprey Link trail
Map of the
Osprey Loop
dog friendly trail
The Osprey Loop trail is a great place for kids to develop their cycling skills
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At one point you can stop
and read about how the
Osprey Loop connects to
the Trans Canada Trail
This Raleigh has been riding the dykes for 40 years!
The Osprey Loop Trail dog friendly trail offers scenic vistas – take your camera!
You can even ride a balance bike along the Osprey Link Trail!
dogs – for no logical reason that we could see. However,
the reality is that no one has their dogs on leash – there
really is no reason for it. If someone had a dog that chased
wildlife, that would be a reason – but all the dogs we saw
were well behaved, friendly, and totally notdangerous.
This is definitely one of the best dog friendly trails we have
ever found. The only problem with this trail: we can never
decide whether to take our bikes or our dogs there!
I highly recommend this trail for family cycling; fitness
training during quiet times; family walks at all times; and
an exceptionally wonderful dog friendly trail to take your
dog for a great run or walk. And the air actually smells
clean and fresh. It was quite a lovely shock after city life.
How to get to the Osprey Loop Dyke Trail from Van-
couver:
To get to this dog friendly trail just east of Vancou-
ver: Travel east on Highway 1. Take the Maple Ridge exit
(the last exit before the Port Mann toll bridge). Follow the
Maryhill Bypass to the Pitt River Bridge. Cross the bridge.
Turn left at the second set of lights (Harris Road). You will
reach a stop sign. Go straight through for about a km. On
the right is a parking lot; on the left is a small verge where
you can also park. The Osprey Loop trail is on the left side,
so try to park on that side.
More info and photos at:https://averagejoecyclist.com/osprey-loop-dog-friendly-trail-cycling-hiking/
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Going into its sixth year, the GranFondo Canada
season kicks off next month with clinics aimed at build-
ing up new riders. My First Fondo Training Clinic is de-
signed to focus on group training clinics for men and
women riders who are new to riding or renewing their
love of riding.
GranFondo Canada introduced the first world-class
gran fondo to Canada in 2010 with the RBC GranFondo
Whistler. It takes 5000 riders from Stanley Park to Olym-
pic Plaza along the iconic Sea to Sky Highway, with a lane
free from cars. But riding with that many cyclists can be
intimidating, especially to those who do a lot of spin
classes or last got on a road bike when they were a kid.
The My First Fondo clinic was developed in part-
nership with Cycling BC. Certified coaches guide par-
ticipants through a 16 week training program that will
prepare them physically and mentally to complete the
RBC GranFondo Whistler event with easy, if not a little
bit of effort. Offered at eight locations in Metro Van-
couver, the clinics aim to build skills for riding in groups,
pacing, bike etiquette, nutrition, basic mechanics, bike
handling and event preparation. The clinic is great for
individuals looking for partners to ride with, or corpo-
rate teams who want to offer employee training.
GranFondo Canada feels that by empowering rid-
ers to be confident Fondo riders they are also creating
engaged members of British Columbia’s cycling com-
munity at large. Founder Neil McKinnon finds, “our
riders like to keep it interesting! They may choose not
to repeat the RBC GranFondo Whistler the following
year. Instead, they may form a team for Bike to Work
Week, make a weekend trip to our event in Banff Na-
tional Park, or do the Ride to Conquer Cancer. There
are so many options in the Pacific Northwest and once
people have a taste they just want to keep exploring.”
The My First Fondo journey starts May 27 and runs
to get participants ready for the fondo on September
12. This weekly evening clinic costs $350 and includes
entry to the 2015 RBC GranFondo Whistler.
More at: http://granfondowhistler.com
My First Fondo Prepares Riders for GranFondos and Beyond
David Hay
The tendency in Vancouver towards
tearing down houses and building new
ones has many negative consequences. Not
only do neighbourhoods and communities
lose their character and continuity, the level
of construction is sky high, destroying the
tranquillity of a bike ride .
From a bike commuter’s perspective,
an ugly symptom of this “progress” is torn
up roads, some in such a state that they are
virtually unnavigable by car, let alone bike.
When left in this state, crashes inevitably
occur, leaving the injured cyclist wondering
if there is any legal remedy. That depends.
The liability of public authorities turns
on the central question as to whether or
not the negligence occurred in an “opera-
tional” sphere or “policy” sphere.
Consider the garden variety pothole
to understand to this distinction. If the City
didn’t create it and it occurs due to the nat-
ural erosive forces facing all roadways, and
the City doesn’t get around to fixing it, it is
rare liability will be found. That is because
the City, so the legal theory goes, cannot
be in all places all the time. It’s a basic ques-
tion of resources and that’s a political, not
a legal, matter. The must be policy limits to
recovery or the City would face an indeter-
minate number of claims from an indeter-
minate number of people
There is a famous quote in that vein
from an old decision :
“Better that an individual should suffer
an injury than that the public should suffer
an inconvenience.”
(Russell v. The Mayor of Devon)
On the other hand , if the City attends
to fixing the pothole, but does a bad job
and thereby creates a hazard, causing an ac-
cident, that is conduct which occurred with
the operational sphere. The basic difference
lies in the fact that in the one instance, the
City didn’t do anything, in the other, they
did it badly, and that difference is at the
heart of the law of public liability.
In Just v. B.C., a tragic case involving
rocks which fell onto a car on the high-
way to Whistler, the evidence indicated
the Province had entered the operational
sphere by inspecting the
slopes.
It was held in that case that a private
duty of care arose. The system of inspec-
tion was required to be reasonable and the
way in which it was carried out had to be
reasonable.
Those matters are all part and parcel
of what was described as “the product of
administrative direction, expert or profes-
sional opinion, technical standards or gen-
eral standards of
care.” They were not decisions that
could be designated as policy decisions.
If you are
injured by a
hazard on the
roadway, it is
critical that
you obtain
pictures of
the hazard, independent witnesses if avail-
able, and that the analysis which ensues
supports the allegation that the hazard was
created by the public authority, not sim-
ply neglected, absent compelling evidence
that the authority knew or ought to have
known about the hazard.
Finally, claims against a public authority
require that written notice be given with
specific time periods. Failure to take this
step may be a complete bar to recovery.
In the City of Vancouver, report hazards by calling 311. Elsewhere, find out where to report them at: bccc.bc.ca/report_hazards
Cycling Hazards
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Online issues of WeCycle can be found herehttp://www.bccc.bc.ca/wecycle
Lisa Corriveau, spokesmama.com
The inaugural Vancouver Family Bik-
ing Easter Bonnet Ride was a great suc-
cess, with more than two dozen riders,
ranging in age from nine months to none
of your business. ;)
We all met up at Science
World, adding streamers to
handlebars & pipe clean-
ers to everything. Thanks to
Tonya for getting all the sup-
plies! Unfortunately a third
of us arrived quite late due
to technical difficulties with
a borrowed bike & setting up
the various child carrying ar-
rangements for the first ride
of the season. Thankfully we’d
already decorated all our hel-
mets in advance.
After several semi-suc-
cessful attempts at a group
photo--just no way to get the
dozen children to all look the
same direction--we headed
out along the False Creek Sea-
wall westward.
We never actually did
an official head count, but I
think we had 27 people, 12
of them children. About half
the kids rode on the backs of
cargo bikes, or in bike seats
on regular bikes, or in trailers,
& the rest rode along with us
on their own bikes. With four
cargo bikes in the group, it was easy to
tow bikes if the smaller riders got tired, or
just add one more to the pile, like in this
picture on the right.
The weather was cool but mostly co-
operative with only a couple very light
showers during our ride. Possibly be-
cause of the indecisive weather, the sea-
wall wasn’t too busy, & what pedestrians
we did encounter gave our two dozen
rabbit-eared riders smiles & a wide berth.
All the kids seemed to enjoy the ride
& aside from some rumbling bellies, there
were no complaints. We decamped for
lunch at Jericho Beach, in a picnic area
near the concession. One of our riders
even brought candles & cupcakes for ev-
eryone to celebrate his wife’s birthday.
After we’d eaten, chatted, rehydrated
& the kids got a bit of time to run around
on the beach, we biked to the other side
of the park near a large patch of bramble
that is home to a lot of feral rabbits. Our
fearless leader Tonya handed out carrots
& lettuce to feed the bunnies, & choco-
late hens to feed the rest of us.
After we took a collective 1000 pho-
tos of children & rabbits being cute, we
headed off for home. The ride back east
was just as social & relaxed as on our way
out. It’s fun to be able to have a conver-
sation while riding along quiet roads &
off street paths. I enjoyed meeting some
new people & getting to know others a
little better. I had so much fun talking to
people that I didn’t take that many pho-
tos during the ride. :)
We had so many smiles, laughs &
comments about parades from passers-
by that we definitely
want to do another
costumed ride again in
the near future. (Your
theme suggestions are
welcome!)
The next #YVR-
FamilyBiking ride will
be in May, or possi-
bly sooner if there’s
enough interest. Join
Vancouver Family Bik-
ing on Facebook, fol-
low @YVRFamilyBik-
ing on Instagram &
Twitter for updates!
If you want to share
your family biking with
us, add the hashtag
#YVRFamilyBiking to
your posts on social
media. :)
Online at: spokes-
mama.com/2015/04/
yvrfamilycycling-eas-
ter-bonnet-ride.html
Lisa Corriveau blogs about family cycling, living green & what’s going on in East Van at Spokesmama.com. Her “minivan” (A longtail cargo bike) is powered by cheese, craft beer & chocolate.
#YVR Family Biking Easter Bonnet Ride
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