urbanecyclist
THE VANCOUVER AREA CYCLING COALITION QUARTERLY www.vacc.bc.ca
Making cycling an integral part of Metro Vancouver’s transportation culture
SPRING 2010 #44 urbanecyclist
Published quarterly by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC). The views in this publication are not necessarily those of the VACC Time to Focus on the vacc.bc.ca Arbutus Corridor by Rob Brownie
MANAGING EDITOR: Rob Brownie COPY EDITORS: Leslie Love, Colin Brander DESIGN: Chris Bentzen | thisisplanb.net COVER ART: Sam Bradd | sambradd.com
VACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Photo by Kay Teschke Arno Schortinghuis, President Charlotte Watson Now that the bike lane trial on the with the CPR which still owns Jack Becker Burrard Bridge has been widely rights to the land the track sits on. Colin Brander proclaimed a success the VACC To make this project a reality Rob Brownie Gwendal Castellan is hoping that Vancouver City other stakeholders will need to be Ivan Chow Council will turn its attention to consulted including community Jason Northcott the abandoned rail line known as organizations in Marpole, Kerrisdale, Ken Ohrn the Arbutus Corridor. At almost Shaughnessy and Kitsilano as well as VACC OFFICE ten kilometers in length, the track the Vancouver School Board which Sean McKibben, Director of Programs extends from English Bay near has 11 schools near the corridor. Kathy Sinclair, Office Manager the Burrard Bridge south to the Politicians at both the provincial FOUNDING MEMBER Fraser River. A combined bike and and federal level will be consulted British Columbia Cycling Coalition pedestrian path along the corridor including Premier Campbell. Member of the (Canadian) Coalition for Active Living www.activeliving.ca would connect the area around Another hurdle will be funding. Granville Island with Kent St. in There will be a lot of financial MEET US Marpole and provide a link to 10 questions to be answered by Mayor The VACC Board meetings are open to all interested in bicycling in Greater Vancouver. We generally meet existing bike routes. Robertson and council once the on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm Following the example of final tab is tallied for hosting the Phone 604 878 8222 for details. the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Olympics but we also know that [email protected] in the United States and local city council has aspirations to INTERNET projects such as the Lochside Trail make Vancouver the greenest city Keep up on the latest cycling issues and events. in Saanich and the Kettle Valley in Canada. We need your help to Join one of our e-mail lists at www.vacc.bc.ca/lists Rail Trail, city council can take convince the City of Vancouver GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? advantage of the longest abandoned that what can work on the Burrard We welcome articles of 500 words or less about rail bed in Vancouver to create a Bridge can work on the Arbutus cycling in Greater Vancouver. Submissions may be sent to Urbane Cyclist: cost-effective, mixed-use greenway- Corridor. For on-going updates but this will require working closely please join the Friends of Arbutus [email protected] Corridor on Facebook. urbanecyclist We reserve the right to edit 2 | SPRING 2010 #44 submissionsfor clarity and length. Safe Riding in the Rain by Karen Larsen
During wet winter weather there of the wheel. This also means they and visibility in a down pour. Rain by Rob Brownie are some simple steps you can won’t wear out your rims or require gear is usually wind proof too, take to make yourself safer and frequent replacements like brake which helps keep you warm on more comfortable while riding. pads. Another consideration for chilly days. Booties are good for These include brake maintenance, disc brakes is that since they are protecting your shoes from the visibility and appropriate attire. If mounted on the hub, you can put rain and your feet from the wind. you keep your brakes in good order, reflective tape on the wheel rim, Helmet covers are another rain light up your bicycle, and don your which will increase your visibility. protection option, which regular rain jacket, you will be on your way Keep your chain well lubed, the commuters swear by. Hang up your to riding through the winter. rain will wear it away faster than sopping clothes when you get to New cyclists should understand normal. After lubrication, wait a few your destination, hopefully they’ll that brake pads are affected by the minutes and then use a rag to remove be dry by the time you’re ready to rain. Rain decreases their stopping the excess lube. If you don’t do this, leave and brave the elements again. efficiency and helps to increase the excess lube just attract more grit If your bike has to stay outside in wear and tear on rim, cantilever or and goo, which you want to avoid so the rain, cover up the seat (a plastic direct pull brakes. When brakes the gritty goo doesn’t wear done your bag or panier cover works well) pads are wet, along with wet rims, chain or front and rear de-railers. The so you don’t have to sit on a cold, they don’t react as quickly as when rain and muck will also end up on moist saddle. If you do this, you will they are dry. In the rains, you may your front and rear de-railers, so, to truly be covering your ass. need extra room and time to come avoid the “teeth” wearing down, clean Lights are integral for year to a complete stop. Rain moves the them too. round safe cycling. However, in the grit on winter roads onto bike rims Fenders are a necessity for winter, especially on the wet west and then onto brakes, this means commuters or even day trippers in coast, it can be dark at 12 noon they will wear down faster and so the rainy season. Front and back on an overcast drizzlely day, so more frequent replacements may fenders will help keep you and your day time lights are recommended be necessary for optimum stopping gear dry and clean, at least cleaner for cyclists. Side lights are also action! Clean the wheel rims often, than if you have muddy grit from suggested, as well as white lights to make sure the grit is coming off, the road splattered up the back of for the front and red lights for the instead of wearing down the brakes. your jacket and helmet. Cyclists back. Reflective tape is also good, It’s a good idea to check brake riding behind you will appreciate but it is not a replacement for cables as well; keep them nice and your back fender – without this, bright lights. It is easy for drivers tight for the best braking action. they will get sprayed too! not to see cyclists at any time, Disc brakes are good for wet Even though rain gear with so help them out and make sure weather riding because they react reflective accents, is not stylish you are visible. This means being quickly, since they are on the rim attire, it will provide comfortable luminous with several bright lights. urbanecyclist SPRING 2010 #44 | 3 DAVID HAY’S TOP TEN LIST Do’s and Don’t’s Following A Traffic Accident
The Cyclist Awareness Safety Taskforce (CAST) of the VACC recently asked David Hay, a Vancouver litigation but you are not required to provide lawyer, what he recommends a cyclist do if involved in information directly to ICBC. a traffic collision. The following tips will help us develop Legal counsel will ensure you do not a laminated spoke card which will be made available to diminish the strength of your case. all VACC members.
by David Hay THE DO’S: THE DONT’S
The things people do and say 1. Try to observe where you are 6. Do not apologize to the driver. following a traffic accident are immediately following an accident. An apology is often interpreted often given significant weight by Make mental notes of where you later as an admission of fault. a judge or jury during the trial are in relation to your bike, the car process. However, witnesses I have which struck you, and local reference 7. Do not discuss with the driver come across over the course of ten points such as cross walks, utility of the car or nearby witnesses what years of practising law have seldom poles, a fire hydrant or bus stop. happened. possessed the presence of mind following a serious trauma to take 2. Try to obtain as much information 8. Do not agree to settle the steps to protect their legal position as you can relating to the identity of dispute privately. related to that trauma. Let’s face it, the driver. Record the licence plate of the furthest thing from anyone’s the vehicle and contact information 9. Do not give or sign long winded or mind following an accident on a from any witnesses to the accident. complicated statements surrounding the bicycle is the possible impact of circumstances of the accident. If you can what they say or do in a lawsuit over 3. Go to the hospital if ambulance not speak with a lawyer before giving your the accident. With that caveat in attendants suggest you should. statement keep it as short as possible. mind, here is my top ten list of do’s and don’ts following an accident. 4. Control your temper and 10. Do not pay a traffic ticket related to This list is based on some of the avoid belligerent or antagonistic the accident simply because you have no difficulties I have seen people get behaviour towards the driver. time to file a dispute. The payment of in which might have been avoided a ticket, though not conclusive of your if they simply had been a wee 5. Talk to a lawyer prior to talking legal dispute with the driver, certainly bit more mindful of the future to ICBC - you are required by law indicates a guilty mind or a lack of implications of their conduct. to provide information to ICBC confidence in one’s position.
urbanecyclist 4 | SPRING 2010 #44 VACC PROFILE Do’s and Don’t’s Following The Vancouver/UBC A Traffic Accident Committee
by Elizabeth Godley
An upcoming meeting with Vancouver’s new Deputy City Manager is high on the list of success stories reported by Lisa Slakov, who heads the VACC’s Vancouver/ UBC Committee. Ongoing communication with city staff and politicians on cycling concerns and priorities, such as detours on cycling routes resulting from Olympic planning takes up much of the Committee’s time, as does advocating for VACC programming. Also on the committee’s agenda Lisa Slakov. Photo by Ken Ohrn recently was a high level meeting with members of the Vancouver Cyclist Awareness and Safety Task safe routes for children cycling Police Department re cyclist issues. Force committee (CAST) on ways to to school; The Committee was also involved increase safety of cyclists on the road. • Improving bike parking facilities; in lobbying for more effective Burrard Present infrastructure needs • Developing a network of Bridge lane reallocation and prepared include: separated bike lanes; a document titled “Our Expectations • Revitalizing and regular • Developing an Arbutus Corridor for Cycling in Vancouver,” which maintenance of cycling routes, bike route; was widely distributed to city including new traffic-calming • Creating a Central Valley council members. measures and enforcing these Greenway bridge. In addition, the Committee measures as required; The Committee’s goals for 2010 prepared an outline of cycling • Ensuring a final two-lane include working on all the above infrastrucure priorities for the current reallocation structure for the issues, as well as dealing with an budget year, also distributed to city Burrard Bridge; “attention deficiit,” on the part of council and staff, and worked with • Increasing concrete infrastrucure both financial organizations and city other members of the VACC’s measures to create and ensure staff, as a result of the 2010 Olympics. urbanecyclist SPRING 2010 #44 | 5 LETTER TO THE EDITOR TO BECOME INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT: Burnaby: Luis 604 431-6658 Report from Richmond Delta: Carol 604 943-3412
Greater Vancouver: John 604 986-9220 by Brad Kilburn Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows: [email protected] I’ve been cycling throughout those other road users. Time has New Westminster: Andrew 604 521-2742 Richmond since the seventies, so brought me invaluable accumulated North Shore: Dave 604 988-5454 I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing knowledge, skill, and experience, or two about cycling safety. I know though, that means very little unless Bikes on Transit: Jack 604 681-5744 I’ve seen a fair bit of change on the I receive cooperation from those Surrey/White Rock: Gordon 604 535-2513 roads during that time. with whom I share the road. Tri-Cities: Alexi [email protected] Richmond has grown from a It pains me to see any road sleepy agricultural/bedroom suburb user who is not fully aware of, and Who to write about issues in Urbane Cyclist: into a vibrant city in it’s own right. cooperative with, his or her fellow Long gone are the drainage ditches travelers. Too often I see distracted Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier PO Box 9041 that were as wide as the narrow motorists simply forcing their way STN PROV GOVT roadways. Today, Richmond has down the road, or cyclists who Victoria BC V8W 9E1 Phone: 250 387-1715 Fax: 250 387-0087 impressive state-of-the-art traffic neglect to view the street as a whole, [email protected] corridors that accommodate all and/or seek clues from nearby
Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation forms of transport, both safely motorists, that it is safe to proceed. PO Box 9055 and efficiently. If an investment in education, STN PROV GOVT Victoria BC V8W 9E2 Yet some might be surprised enforcement, and the encouragement Phone: 250 387-1978 Fax: 250 356-2290 to hear that I don’t think it’s been of cooperation amongst road users, [email protected] the boom in cycling infrastructure could be as viable and visible as the City of Burnaby – Mayor Derek Corrigan & Council that has been the most significant more recent investments in cycling 4949 Canada Way Burnaby BC V5G 1M2 development to augment my facilities have been, I think we’d all Phone: 604 294-7340 Fax: 604 294-7724 safety as a cyclist, but rather my have a safer commute. [email protected] awareness of, and cooperation with, City of New Westminster – Mayor Wayne Wright 511 Royal Avenue New Westminster BC V3L 1H9 Phone: 604 527-4522 Fax: 604 527-4594 ONE City of Vancouver – Mayor Gregor Robertson & Council + SUBSCRIPTION = 453 West 12th Avenue MEMBERSHIP VOICE! Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4 Phone: 604 873-7621 Fax: 604 873-7685 [email protected] Help us get Metro Vancouver’s Cycling Infrastructure up to speed by taking out a VACC membership and get a one-year subscription TransLink – Chair Dale Parker & Board of Directors 1600-4720 Kingsway of Momentum Magazine for only $10! vacc.bc.ca Burnaby, BC V5H 4N2 Phone: 604 453-4500 Fax: 604 453-4626 www.translink.bc.ca urbanecyclist vacc.bc.ca for more contact information. 6 | SPRING 2010 #44 VACC UPDATE Streetwise Cycling Program
Karen Parusel is our new Streetwise Program Manager. Karen has a strong background in sustainable transportation. She volunteers at the Vancouver Public Space Network as a board director and Transportation Coordinator. Recently Karen worked as the BC Assistant Director with the Cascadia Region Green Building Council, where she planned cycling tours and managed programs and events related to sustainable neighbourhoods. She loves cycling, especially with her stereo amp in her basket, and strives to make cycling as fun as possible for Metro Karen Parusel. Photo by Martin Fietkiewicz Vancouver residents. The VACC is will be your best choice. These very excited about the enthusiasm 4-hour courses combine classroom and expertise that Karen will bring instruction along with parking to our cycling skills programming. lot and street training. Courses Now whether you are a novice, are offered throughout Metro intermediate or advance commuter Vancouver on most weekends. The VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: cyclist, we have a course for first spring Bike Skills Course is you. This spring we are running March 13th in Vancouver at the approximately 20 workshops, Strathcona Community Centre. Writers and Artists meaning at least one per weekend. You can see the Streetwise course If you have an interest in Our Learn to Ride courses provide schedule here: www.tinyurl.com/ writing an article, letter or one-on-one instruction for those streetwiseschedule – just follow the interview or can contribute riders who are absolute beginners. links to register directly with the illustrations to future issues For those of you who are confident community centre. We’re adding of The Urbane Cyclist please riders and would like to learn more workshops all the time, so contact Rob Brownie at how to navigate through traffic if one’s not booked yet in your [email protected] or prepare for longer commutes, neighbourhood, you can request it our popular Bike Skills Courses by emailing [email protected]
urbanecyclist SPRING 2010 #44 | 7 VACC Membership Benefits
NEW! Discount Plan at Metro Bike Stores In partnership with bike stores throughout your discounts and get your card stamped Shop (N. Van), Ride On Bikes (Van), Reckless Metro Vancouver, when you join the (check our website often as participating bike Bike Stores (Van), Steed Cycles (N. Van) VACC, you will get THREE one-time stores and businesses are updated all the time: discounts or special offers per year at any www.vacc.bc.ca/membership) Plus… of the participating stores below: Get Discounts on Services provided by: Bike Doctor (Van/Burnaby), Bikes on the Co-operative Auto Network, Zip Car, Green DISCOUNT 1: 5% off a new bike Drive (Van), Dream Cycle (Van), Different Zebra, David Hay of Richards Buell Sutton LLP DISCOUNT 2: up to 10% off a tune-up/service Bikes (Van/N. Van/W. Van), Experience DISCOUNT3: 10% off parts & accessories Cycling (Maple Ridge), Local Ride (Maple Plus… Ridge) Maple Ridge Cycles (Maple Ridge), Take your new VACC Membership card into Mighty Riders (Van), Obsession Cycles (N. Get a Discount on a One-Year one of the following bike stores to redeem Van), O’Hagan’s Cycles (Surrey), On Top Bike Subscription to Momentum Magazine
We would like to thank our corporate members for their generosity in helping fund the publication of the Urbane Cyclist and VACC programs: Eclipse Awards Life Cycle Nature Trust of BC Wilder Snail Cafe Vancouver Bicycle Club
Membership Form vacc.bc.ca MEMBERSHIP TYPES: Individual $30 FIRST MEMBER NAME Fixed/Student/Low Income $15 FIRST MEMBER E-MAIL Each additional member at address $10 ADDITIONAL MEMBER NAME Joint Membership with BC Cycling $10 Coalition (additional per person) ADDITIONAL MEMBER E-MAIL Corporate/Organization $150 ADDRESS Additional Donation $ CITY POSTAL CODE (sorry, we can not The Vancouver/UBC provide tax receipts) PHONE NUMBER Committee Total Enclosed: I would like to get the Urbane Cyclist Newsletter by e-mail (to save paper) $ I need or prefer it by mail
I would like to volunteer with the VACC yes Please mail this form and a cheque (payable to Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition) to: I can contribute by: VACC Memberships (please note your skills) City Square, PO Box 47068 15-555 West 12th Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 4L6