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VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3, MAY 2015

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- 1 - How can where you bank change the world?

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- 2 - Vancity - We Cycle Ad_10x11 Colour(s) AD SIZE: 10”X11" PRESS / STOCK: US SWOP V2 RES ARTWORK: 300 PPI CYAN BLEED: N/A ARTWORK SCALE: 1 : 1 FILE FORMAT: PDF/X-1A MAG Vancity - We Cycle Ad_10x11_V3.PDF YELLOW NOTE : Trap at Output 604-224-3757 February 3, 2015 1:30 PM BLACK HUB Bike to Work Week is May 25-31 By Julia Rotte WE CYCLE Everyone knows that commuting by bike presents a Register for Bike healthy, cash-saving and environmentally friendly alternative to Work Week to driving cars or using public transit. And with spring finally at bikehub.ca/ here, more and more riders are getting back in the saddle to btww. You can hit the bike paths. But most of us are creatures of habit and it either register may require a little more than sunshine to lure us out of our a new team or daily routines. This is where Bike to Work Week from HUB join an existing team at your workplace. Make sure to log all Cycling comes in. your trips during Bike to Work Week from May 25-31, as each If you have always been thinking about using your bike day you do you'll be entered to win a brand new bike. In addi- to get around, be it to ride to work, do the school run or go tion, all participants in BC who log at least one trip this spring to the grocery store, there simply is no better occasion to get will be entered to win a trip for 2 to Europe. Check out the started than during this fun week-long event. In the last week Celebration Station Map online and plan your route to collect of May, over fifty Celebration Stations in Metro Vancouver as many free coffees and prizes as possible each day. To round will provide free coffee, snacks, and bike tune-ups to passing off a successful week, a free Bike to Work Week BBQ will be riders. Bike to Work Week will get even more people on bikes, held at Creekside Park on Friday, May 29th from 4pm - 7pm. logging their journeys online to win prizes while collectively Hope to see you there! “The publication for raising awareness for cycling. Julia Rotte is a volunteer with HUB Cycling But Bike to Work Week is not only an event for those new passionate pedallers” Bike to Work Week is May 25-31 and you can register to riding. It's just as thrilling for seasoned cyclists to celebrate WeCycle is a newspaper magazine free at bikehub.ca/btww their daily commutes. And beyond spreading the bike love, dedicated to the cycling commuter, this fun event encourages an open conversation between all Questions? Email [email protected] their families and organizations. road users about We believe this demographic is their particular needs made of people who care about and challenges. Use their environment, their food Bike to Work Week and local economy. to spread the word Published year-round, 11 issues at the workplace and per year with a double issue in get more colleagues Dec/Jan. 5000 printed copies are on bikes too: recruit distributed along bike routes, a company team, re- in community centres mind management and libraries with dozens of that employees who street drops and racks. ride to work are proven to be hap- Editorial comes from the wonderful pier, healthier and writers at the BC Cycling Coalition, more productive, HUB and freelance journalists. then ask for the safe Editor/Publisher: bike parking facilities Mailing Address: you always wanted 1-1455 Brigantine Drive to make sure cycling Coquitlam, BC V3K 7C2 to work stays a viable Policy Editor: Richard Campbell option in the long Page Layout: IWE Prepress term. Ad sales: [email protected] Here's how it works: Cover photo: Lisa Corriveau Oge and Brenden from the Vancouver Airport Authority riding on the grand prize e-bikes up for grabs this spring

- 3 - The Road Bully Effect Melissa Bruntlett, modacitylife.com

Etienne’s impeccable dress sense often for him, aside from presumably moaning that thought was. Despite being one of makes him the most stylish cyclist on the about me later to others. Unfortunately, many families that travel by bike throughout bikeway. that same luxury is never afforded to me. this city, we have frequently been referred As we kept riding, it seemed the car was Not only was I left upset and on the verge to as ‘The Biking Family”. If this so-called getting closer, and before I could do any- of tears for the remainder of our trip, but I bicycle family is reconsidering our mode of thing, a red mini pulled up right next to us, also needed to calm my own children. My transport, what hope is there for those curi- far too close for comfort. Knowing better, youngest was noticeably upset and scared, ous but nervous about two-wheeled travel the children and I immediately stopped, in having had to stand there on the road, his with children? I will happily admit that we order to keep ourselves from being clipped safety, not to mention that of his sister and are more thick-skinned (and stubborn) than by this obviously irresponsible driver. Then mother, compromised while this person in most of our peers, and understand the big- the car stopped, too, rolling down the pas- a vehicle capable of doing significant harm ger picture: that by setting the example for senger window. The driver of the car pro- blocked their path. Needless to say, it took others, we encourage people to try modes ceeded to scold me, stating the street is a a considerable amount of time and effort to of travel other than a car. So when families “shared road”. keep myself calm enough to make sure my like our own no longer want to deal with I did my very best to communicate that children were okay. inevitable road conflict and bullies, there’s a I am well aware it’s a shared road, mean- Here’s the thing: more than anything, bigger problem at hand. ing he needs to share with us, too, having that driver was being a bully. He, in his car, There are several things that can be full right to the space we were using. But felt his space, journey, etc, were more impor- done to start mitigating driver/cyclist con- as we’ve found countless times before, in tant than our own, and was willing to literally flict. First, on stretches like 10th Avenue, Earlier this week, I had to run an errand. the more than acceptable number of en- stop traffic to tell me that. What lesson did limiting on-street parking to just one side Being that it is currently March Break, the counters we’ve had with motorists, he was he actually teach that day? He showed his of the street would increase road space, kids joined me on a short ride from East not willing to hear what I had to say. I then small child that it’s okay to put other peo- meaning it could be easily shared between Vancouver, along the 10th Avenue bikeway, noticed something startling - this gentle- ple’s safety at risk for his own benefit, even the two modes without one feeling bullied to our bank at Cambie and Broadway. It was men had a toddler clipped up in the back other kids. As a society, we spend countless out of the space. Further traffic-calming like the first opportunity we had that day to get seat, and I was beside myself. This random hours, and dedicate an entire day, to battle lower speed limits and restricting throughout of the house, and it was great to ride stranger was willing put my children in dan- bullying, but I am continually amazed how ways for cars would also eliminate motorists alongside my children on a sunny afternoon. ger in order to get past us, all the while being getting behind the wheel of a car negates all using bikeways as a means to by-pass busier And then it went downhill... a parent himself, a fact I pointed out very ve- of our teachings. streets like Broadway and 12th Avenue. As we approached a traffic circle just hemently, but to no avail. There is also the antiquated law in BC before the intersection at Fraser and 10th, I against riding abreast (side-by-side), that heard the familiar sound of a car coming up makes the simple act of riding next to your behind us. So I assumed my usual position - kids illegal. 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.

Her tights match her jacket match her scarf/gloves match her helmet. I assure you, Fully-separated routes - like this one on It’s an image like this that makes me that isn’t a coincidence. Great Northern Way - are much more com- proud of the family I have and the life we lead. Eventually, realizing this ignorant hu- fortable and enjoyable when riding with kids. Driver education is also key. In the Mo- man being was not only blocking my fam- A stark realization was that my first in- tor Vehicle Act, it states clearly that cyclists ily but also several other cars and cyclists, I stinct was to think to myself: “What’s the are entitled to adequate road space, mean- yelled for him to just go and leave us alone. point of doing this - riding our bikes to get ing cars must give cyclists at least one me- That was likely the end of the discomfort around?” And then I realized how troubling tre of breadth when passing. Many drivers

- 4 - The Road Bully Effect Continued

either don’t know this or choose not to fol- with all new and current licensed motorists. enue bikeway, will remain low on my list of to travel with children, knowing their most low the rule, leaving vulnerable road users With proper driver education, road safety safe bike routes to use with my kids. I will in- precious of cargo is much safer in doing so. - like my children - at risk. Hence why I ride for all users will be much improved. stead opt for routes that keep my family ful- Online at: modacitylife.com/ abreast with them. Just as with cars, if a mo- Fret not, the Bruntlett family will contin- ly-separated from automobile traffic. I can blog/2015/3/19 torist is not able to safely overtake a cyclist, ue to ride our bikes to get around as often as only hope that in the years to come, those /the-road-bully-effect they must wait. Rules like these need to be possible. However, I can say without doubt separated options will become more read- driven home, for lack of a better expression, that certain stretches, such as the 10th Av- ily available, encouraging the bike-curious

50 Shades of Biking Lisa Corriveau, spokesmama.com really a continuum, it’s many shades of grey. At the playground recently, I got into a conversation There’s no reason you can’t just ride once in with a couple of moms about biking with our kids. One a while, in good weather, & normal clothing of them has a Yuba elBoda Boda (an electric midtail car- is perfectly fine for biking--often preferable if go bike) (we’ll call her Ms. Boda Boda) & the other one you have little kids, because who has time to is thinking about starting to ride with her three little kids change out of stinky spandex when you get to (we’ll call her Ms. Maybe Bike). Ms. Maybe Bike said she your destination, right? wasn’t sure if she could do it, so Ms. Boda Boda chimed in Some people might consider me a “hard MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra), Gear Head, Moun- & suggested she consider an electric bike. Ms. Maybe Bike core cyclist”, since I talk about it, blog about it, I even wear tain Biker, Bike Commuter, Weekend Warrior, Recreation- went on to say that she’s not sure if she’s “a cyclist, you it on t-shirts. But really, I’m not all cycling all the time-- al Rider... I get that our transportation can sometimes feel know, one of those people who ride”. it’s just one of my options. We don’t own a car, but we like a part of our identity, but let’s not let semantics get I try to focus on how easy riding is & how many ad- do drive Modo carshare vehicles once or twice a month in our way. Just get on a bike & ride. Try it on a weekend vantages it has over driving or taking transit--especially when we go somewhere farther than we’d want to ride, or evening, on an off-street path like the seawall or the with two or three little kids. I love riding & I’ve been bik- or in really awful weather. I take transit sometimes, like Central Valley Greenway. Leave the car at home & do a ing for transportation on & off for over 15 years now, so when Linnaeus & I went to see the Nutcracker Ballet last quick run to the grocery store near your house for two or it’s second nature to me, & I can get a little carried away December, or when we went out to the Beaty Biodiver- three things. Ride five blocks to the park with your kids on talking about the load of paving stones Oli biked home or sity Museum at UBC with another family. I also don’t re- a sunny day. Just do it. I bet you’ll like it. the four giant Ikea bags of clothes I rode with to a clothing ally ride that far most of the time. Preschool drop-offs are Online at: spokesmama.com/2015/03/ exchange. about a 2km round trip, most of my grocery shopping or 50-shades-of-biking.html I think people have the idea that cycling is all or noth- errands are within 3km of home. Even when I do a Costco Lisa Corriveau blogs about family cycling, living ing. Black & white. You’re either a die-hard, gearhead who run, I usually buy less than I would if I were driving & it’s green & what’s going on in East Van at Spokesma- bikes everywhere in all weather & always has bike grease just a 15 minute ride from home. ma.com. Her “minivan” (A longtail cargo bike) under your fingernails, or you don’t bike at all. But it’s I think maybe all the labelling divides people. Cyclist, is powered by cheese, craft beer & chocolate.

Past issues of WeCycle can be http://www.bccc.bc.ca/wecycle found here:

- 5 - Millennials and Everyone Yes for Else Should Vote Yes Cycling for a Better Future Sarah FioRito and Transit Over the past year, I’ve watched helplessly as our Pro- munities look like for decades into the future. Millennials vincial Government has moved forward with the Metro should vote yes if they’re tired of seeing our governments Vancouver Transportation and Transit Plebiscite. Like shirking their responsibility to do something about cli- Vote by many other Millennials(those 18 to 36 years old) I’ve been mate change and acting like offering environmentally saddled with frustration as the provincial government has sustainable ways to move around our communities in not doled out millions of dollars for environmentally question- an urgent priority. Millennials should vote yes if they want Mail Now! able initiatives like LNG subsidies and highway projects to raise their children in communities with clean air with while insisting that an expensive public opinion poll, in the streets that are vibrant because people are out taking tran- A Yes vote will enable you, your form of a plebiscite, is necessary to determine whether to sit, walking, and cycling. Millennials should vote yes if they invest money into our over-burdened transit system. This believe a transportation system designed around a vehicle friends and family to safely and is particularly noteworthy given the government’s own that costs an average of $10,000 a year according to CAA comfortably cycle across the region survey which shows that only 50% of participants support is inequitable, outdated, and ridiculous. to work, school, shopping and transit the development of LNG and other resource develop- I speak for many Millennials when I say that Vancou- as well as for recreation and ment whereas 90% supported the government increasing ver needs to invest in environmentally sustainable, space exercise. And, when you would transit services for communities across B.C. efficient, and equitable transportation systems right now. Though I disapprove of this politically motivated pleb- Let’s not pass the buck on to our kids the way our parents rather take transit, there will a bus iscite, I will be participating and voting yes and I urge fel- did. Even if we completely disregarded climate change and or a train nearby arriving within a low Millennials to as well, so that necessary public transit the unacceptable inequities inherent in investing in car- few short minutes. With a million infrastructure gets built. centric infrastructure, especially when large proportions of more people expected to live here in Unlike the older generation governing our province, the population can barely afford rent, it is clear right now a few decades, a Yes vote is critical Millennials consider investments in car alternatives urgent that the demand for transit exceeds the available supply. and essential. Though many of us grew up being carted The Provincial Government’s decision to risk the pos- to the health of our environment and around in the back of cars, we have not bought into the sibility of a no-vote victory, with no alternate plan and economy. outdated, inefficient, expensive, environmentally unsus- only the status quo to fall back on, demonstrates that our Mail your ballot NOW! Make sure tainable, and socially-isolating car-centric lifestyle. For political leaders are under the false impression that invest- those of us who use a combination of transit, walking, and ments in essential transit infrastructure are optional. A your ballot reaches Elections BC on cycling on a regular basis, putting transit investments to a yes-victory will send a concrete message to the Province or before May 29. vote is as ridiculous as voting on whether we should invest and will ensure that urgently needed transit infrastructure in other essential public goods like sewers, railings on tall is on the today’s political agenda. Given the indifference of If you have not received a ballot, bridges, and elementary schools. our current provincial government and the historical lack register to vote or update your voter Our generation’s changing attitudes towards cars and of effective pro-transit mobilizing, a yes-vote is essential if information at: elections.bc.ca or lifestyle are well documented. From 2007 to 2011, the we want to see our government invest in car alternatives call 800-661-8683 before midnight number of cars purchased by people aged 18 to 34, fell starting this year. May 15, 2015. almost 30%. According to a study from the AAA Founda- Fellow Millennials, I encourage you to join me in lever- tion for Traffic Safety only 44% of teens obtain a driver’s aging this ill-conceived plebiscite to send a clear message If you have lost or damaged your license within the first year of becoming eligible with just to our Provincial leaders that we want a better transpor- ballot, phone Elections BC at: 54% licensed before turning 18. According to Nielsen’s tation system now. Our generation votes in record low 1-800-661-8683 recent Millennials, Breaking the Myths report, 62% of numbers so please break the trend on this one. I encour- those aged 18-36 indicate they prefer to live in the type age you to direct any hesitations that you have about More on the referendum and the of mixed-use communities found in urban centres, where Translink’s governance, provincial budget management, planned cycling improvements at: they are close to shops, restaurants, and offices, eliminat- and the disregard our political leaders have for an environ- ing the need for a car. mentally sustainable future toward mobilizing ourselves bccc.bc.ca/yes Millennials should vote yes if they’re tired of seeing for the next provincial election. older generations continuing to determine what our com-

- 6 - Free Air & Oil ...every day! 110 Davie St - 604.648.2600 • 1810 Fir St - 604.731.2420 • 1357 Hornby St - 604.669.8311 www.reckless.ca Cycling on the Move Province Announces $18 Million for Cycling B.C. on the Move, the Province’s new 10-year trans- communities throughout B.C. the Province invest $100 million per year in cycling and portation plan marks a significant opportunity to improve On main cycling corridors, they will double the fre- walking facilities both in communities and along Provin- cycling B.C. Pointing to the strength of the Island cycling quency of sweeping to improve the experience and safety cial highways and bridges. This investment in instructure community in the Lower Mainland including HUB, 80% of cyclists. The government will also consider opportu- should also be complemented by funding for cycling edu- of respondents to the on-line survey supported enhanc- nities for improvements focused on widening highway cation and marketing. ing cycling infrastructure. In this online survey, “More bike shoulders. The cycling components of the Plan were included in lanes/protected cyclist access” came in second of all the To support cycling tourism, the Province will develop the announcement by Minister Stone of the $7 million priorities just after improved maintenance. and implement a new Cycling Tourism Signage and Mar- cycling and pedestrian improvements for the Stanley Park Cycling Causeway. was also a Upgrades key theme such as this at 32 of the on Provincial engagement facilities are meetings on top of the held with $18 million municipali- for BC Bikes. ties, First Na- With many tions and other road stakeholder upgrades in- groups. Par- cluded in the ticipants $2.5 billion, supported there is the improve- opportunity ments and for cycling expansion to and pedestri- cycling and an improve- pedestrian ments to be infrastruc- Proposed Stanley Park Causeway Improvements, MoTI included in ture as a critical those projects. way to improve connections within and between com- keting Strategy to promote B.C.’s beautiful cycling routes. The BC Cycling Coalition will be working with our mem- munities. This strategy will be piloted in the Okanagan. A Vancouver ber groups including to ensure that high quality cycling As part of the plan, the B.C. government will increase Island/Lower Mainland loop is also another great cycling facilities are an integral part of all road projects. the BC Bikes cost-shared funding available to communities tourism opportunity. With an election coming up in 2017, we need to build to improve cycling infrastructure. The government is com- While this announcement is a good start, there is still upon this success over the next year to encourage Pro- mitting $18 million over the next three years to this pro- much that needs to be done to improve cycling in B.C. vincial politicians to commit more funding for cycling gram - a 50% increase over previous years. This will help The $18 million over three years is a definite improve- improvement. Now is the time to bring up your cycling fund municipal and regional projects such as multi-use ment. However, much more funding is needed. In Metro priorities with your MLA and Ministry Staff. paths, bike lanes, overpasses and shoulder bikeways. With Vancouver alone, the cost of completing cycling networks shared funding from local communities, that’s potentially around the region is estimated to be more than $800 More at: bccc.bc.ca/transportation_plan $36 million in cycling infrastructure improvements in million. The BC Cycling Coalition is recommending that

- 7 - Bicycle Valet Off to Great Start in ‘15 New Spot for Whitecaps Games Smashes the Record!

We’ve been parking bikes at all Whitecaps home games And that’s not all… We’re also holding a volunteer tact Sinead Stinson at [email protected] since 2012 (after testing the waters in 2011). We’ve had training night on April 21! Looking for a sweet volun- or 604-669-2860 ext. 207. our official spot at Gate F since then, but construction teering gig where you can connect with the community, More at: thebicyclevalet.ca had us moving to Gate C for the 2015 season. get outdoors, encourage sustainable transportation, Photo at: http://thebicyclevalet.ca/wp-content/ In past years the early season hasn’t been too busy, and be part of an amazing team? Your search is over! uploads/IMG_5037-1024x399.jpg with opening games getting at most 10 bicycles. This For any questions about The Bicycle Valet con- year, something changed- and it wasn’t just the weather. 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)

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International Web Express is a full service print company offering quality products and services. Need something printed? Give us a call! 604-526-8557 - 8 - L G ORLOSEIT @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! PHOTOGRAPH IT! • It takes only seconds for something to be stolen. • Take photos and save them in multiple locations that are easily accessible. • Lock rear wheel with small, hardened steel U-Lock inside the rear triangle and Consider saving the photos to a disc or an external hard drive (or both), hidden lock to an immovable object. away from your computer. • Lock cable lock or other U-Lock on front wheel. REPORT IT! • Lock quick-release skewers. The VPD recovers thousands of bikes each year. Serial numbers are checked to ENGRAVE IT! 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. • Ensure the marking is permanent! • Engrave your B.C. driver’s license or B.C. Identification Card number. Protect your bike by logging it now. • Call your local community policing centre for assistance with engraving. For more information, go to VPD.CA 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).

- 9 - The Osprey Loop – Dog Friendly Trail for Cycling Osprey Loop Dyke Trail in Pitt Meadows, BC, on the Alouette River

JOE GOODWILL Sights along this dog friendly trail include blueberry ride fast. There are dogs roaming free everywhere, and a.k.a. AVERAGE JOE CYCLIST farms, roaming cattle, small marinas, the interesting flot- young children enjoying possibly their first bike ride. On sam of boats long dead, wonderful mountains, birds in the other hand, what a great place to take your child to We recently discovered this gem of a rural family cy- abundance and the occasional bald eagle, and at some learn to ride a bike. If they fall, it’s on soil, not pavement, cling trail, just 30 minutes east of Vancouver. Not only points the Pitt River Bridge in the distance. and it’s completely safe. is it great for cycling, but the Osprey Loop is also one of This dog friendly trail is utterly flat, with absolute- This 7 km dog friendly trail could potentially be a cy- the most dog friendly trails we have ever found. This is ly no car access, so it could not be safer for cycling or cling training trail, if you are in training to get fitter and great, as we have two small dogs that Mrs. Average Joe walking the dogs. This dyke trail is as family friendly as cycle better (see my Beginner Cyclist Training Plan). But Cyclist loves to take along. As their legs are so short, they it’s possible to be. We met a woman in her retirement to use this dog friendly trail as a cycling training trail, you often ride in their Axiom Premium Pet Baskets. years who has been cycling these dog friendly trails for really would need to get there at daybreak on the week- This is a short, easy, completely-flat, well sign-posted 40 years – with the same Raleigh bike! Here it is – unfor- ends, or fairly early on a weekday. Mrs. Average Joe Cy- bike or hike trail for the whole family (plus dog). It’s part tunately the lady declined to be photographed, but here clist took a walk there recently with our grandson, at 10 of the still unfinished Trans Canada Trail. is her tough old Raleigh. We were very impressed to see a a.m. on a weekday, and it was very quiet, and they saw a The Osprey Loop is well worth the trip – you need senior person enjoying miles of cycling on a vintage bike. bald eagle. She says you could have done a cycling train- to transport your bikes (and your dogs) there, but once That might be us one day – except that with my bike ing ride there at that time, as it was very quiet. you get there, it’s a little slice of cycling heaven. This dog obsession, it would be a new bike. However, on weekend afternoons, there will be too friendly trail is a dyke trail that runs alongside the Alou- We also loved that everyone we met was mellow many small children and dogs for it to be safe to cycle ette and Pitt Rivers, slicing through the beautiful Pitt and friendly. This dog friendly trail is bike friendly, dog fast. Meadows countryside, with horizons as far as the eye friendly, and human friendly. But if you go there in the As for dogs on this dog friendly trail: part of the trail can see. afternoon on the weekend, do not expect to be able to 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

The Osprey Loop trail is Map of the a great place for kids to Osprey Loop develop their cycling skills dog friendly trail

- 10 - dogs – for no logical reason that we could see. However, an exceptionally wonderful dog friendly trail to take your reach a stop sign. Go straight through for about a km. On the reality is that no one has their dogs on leash – there dog for a great run or walk. And the air actually smells the right is a parking lot; on the left is a small verge where really is no reason for it. If someone had a dog that chased clean and fresh. It was quite a lovely shock after city life. you can also park. The Osprey Loop trail is on the left side, wildlife, that would be a reason – but all the dogs we saw How to get to the Osprey Loop Dyke Trail from Van- so try to park on that side. were well behaved, friendly, and totally notdangerous. couver: More info and photos at: This is definitely one of the best dog friendly trails we have To get to this dog friendly trail just east of Vancou- https://averagejoecyclist.com/osprey-loop-dog- ever found. The only problem with this trail: we can never ver: Travel east on Highway 1. Take the Maple Ridge exit friendly-trail-cycling-hiking/ decide whether to take our bikes or our dogs there! (the last exit before the Port Mann toll bridge). Follow the I highly recommend this trail for family cycling; fitness Maryhill Bypass to the Pitt River Bridge. Cross the bridge. training during quiet times; family walks at all times; and Turn left at the second set of lights (Harris Road). You will

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!

You can even ride a balance bike along the Osprey Link Trail!

The Osprey Loop Trail dog friendly trail offers scenic vistas – take your camera!

- 11 - BIKE TO WORK WEEK

May 25-31 2015 WIN a TRIP to EUROPE! Register FREE at bikehub.ca

- 12 - My First Fondo Prepares Riders for GranFondos and Beyond

Going into its sixth year, the GranFondo Canada pacing, bike etiquette, nutrition, basic mechanics, bike season kicks off next month with clinics aimed at build- handling and event preparation. The clinic is great for ing up new riders. My First Fondo Training Clinic is de- individuals looking for partners to ride with, or corpo- signed to focus on group training clinics for men and rate teams who want to offer employee training. women riders who are new to riding or renewing their GranFondo Canada feels that by empowering rid- love of riding. ers to be confident Fondo riders they are also creating GranFondo Canada introduced the first world-class engaged members of British Columbia’s cycling com- gran fondo to Canada in 2010 with the RBC GranFondo munity at large. Founder Neil McKinnon finds, “our Whistler. It takes 5000 riders from Stanley Park to Olym- riders like to keep it interesting! They may choose not pic Plaza along the iconic Sea to Sky Highway, with a lane to repeat the RBC GranFondo Whistler the following free from cars. But riding with that many cyclists can be year. Instead, they may form a team for Bike to Work intimidating, especially to those who do a lot of spin Week, make a weekend trip to our event in Banff Na- classes or last got on a road bike when they were a kid. tional Park, or do the Ride to Conquer Cancer. There The My First Fondo clinic was developed in part- are so many options in the Pacific Northwest and once nership with Cycling BC. Certified coaches guide par- people have a taste they just want to keep exploring.” ticipants through a 16 week training program that will The My First Fondo journey starts May 27 and runs prepare them physically and mentally to complete the to get participants ready for the fondo on September RBC GranFondo Whistler event with easy, if not a little 12. This weekly evening clinic costs $350 and includes bit of effort. Offered at eight locations in Metro Van- entry to the 2015 RBC GranFondo Whistler. couver, the clinics aim to build skills for riding in groups, More at: http://granfondowhistler.com

Cycling Hazards David Hay didn’t create it and it occurs due to the nat- lies in the fact that in the one instance, the If you are ural erosive forces facing all roadways, and City didn’t do anything, in the other, they injured by a The tendency in Vancouver towards the City doesn’t get around to fixing it, it is did it badly, and that difference is at the hazard on the tearing down houses and building new rare liability will be found. That is because heart of the law of public liability. roadway, it is ones has many negative consequences. Not the City, so the legal theory goes, cannot In Just v. B.C., a tragic case involving critical that only do neighbourhoods and communities be in all places all the time. It’s a basic ques- rocks which fell onto a car on the high- you obtain lose their character and continuity, the level tion of resources and that’s a political, not way to Whistler, the evidence indicated pictures of of construction is sky high, destroying the a legal, matter. The must be policy limits to the Province had entered the operational the hazard, independent witnesses if avail- tranquillity of a bike ride . recovery or the City would face an indeter- sphere by inspecting the able, and that the analysis which ensues From a bike commuter’s perspective, minate number of claims from an indeter- slopes. supports the allegation that the hazard was an ugly symptom of this “progress” is torn minate number of people It was held in that case that a private created by the public authority, not sim- up roads, some in such a state that they are There is a famous quote in that vein duty of care arose. The system of inspec- ply neglected, absent compelling evidence virtually unnavigable by car, let alone bike. from an old decision : tion was required to be reasonable and the that the authority knew or ought to have When left in this state, crashes inevitably “Better that an individual should suffer way in which it was carried out had to be known about the hazard. occur, leaving the injured cyclist wondering an injury than that the public should suffer reasonable. Finally, claims against a public authority if there is any legal remedy. That depends. an inconvenience.” Those matters are all part and parcel require that written notice be given with The liability of public authorities turns (Russell v. The Mayor of Devon) of what was described as “the product of specific time periods. Failure to take this on the central question as to whether or On the other hand , if the City attends administrative direction, expert or profes- step may be a complete bar to recovery. not the negligence occurred in an “opera- to fixing the pothole, but does a bad job sional opinion, technical standards or gen- In the City of Vancouver, report tional” sphere or “policy” sphere. and thereby creates a hazard, causing an ac- eral standards of hazards by calling 311. Consider the garden variety pothole cident, that is conduct which occurred with care.” They were not decisions that Elsewhere, find out where to report to understand to this distinction. If the City the operational sphere. The basic difference could be designated as policy decisions. them at: bccc.bc.ca/report_hazards

- 13 - #YVR Family Biking Easter Bonnet Ride

Lisa Corriveau, spokesmama.com showers during our ride. Possibly be- & the kids got a bit of time to run around off street paths. I enjoyed meeting some cause of the indecisive weather, the sea- on the beach, we biked to the other side new people & getting to know others a The inaugural Vancouver Family Bik- wall wasn’t too busy, & what pedestrians of the park near a large patch of bramble little better. I had so much fun talking to ing Easter Bonnet Ride was a great suc- we did encounter gave our two dozen that is home to a lot of feral rabbits. Our people that I didn’t take that many pho- cess, with more than two dozen riders, rabbit-eared riders smiles & a wide berth. fearless leader Tonya handed out carrots tos during the ride. :) ranging in age from nine months to none All the kids seemed to enjoy the ride & lettuce to feed the bunnies, & choco- We had so many smiles, laughs & of your business. ;) & aside from some rumbling bellies, there late hens to feed the rest of us. comments about parades from passers- We all met up at Science by that we definitely World, adding streamers to want to do another handlebars & pipe clean- costumed ride again in ers to everything. Thanks to the near future. (Your Tonya for getting all the sup- theme suggestions are plies! Unfortunately a third welcome!) of us arrived quite late due The next #YVR- to technical difficulties with FamilyBiking ride will a borrowed bike & setting up be in May, or possi- the various child carrying ar- bly sooner if there’s rangements for the first ride enough interest. Join of the season. Thankfully we’d Vancouver Family Bik- already decorated all our hel- ing on Facebook, fol- mets in advance. low @YVRFamilyBik- After several semi-suc- ing on Instagram & cessful attempts at a group Twitter for updates! photo--just no way to get the If you want to share dozen children to all look the your family biking with same direction--we headed us, add the hashtag out along the False Creek Sea- #YVRFamilyBiking to wall westward. your posts on social We never actually did media. :) an official head count, but I think we had 27 people, 12 Online at: spokes- of them children. About half mama.com/2015/04/ the kids rode on the backs of yvrfamilycycling-eas- cargo bikes, or in bike seats ter-bonnet-ride.html on regular bikes, or in trailers, & the rest rode along with us Lisa Corriveau blogs on their own bikes. With four about family cycling, living green cargo bikes in the group, it was easy to were no complaints. We decamped for After we took a collective 1000 pho- & what’s going on in East Van at tow bikes if the smaller riders got tired, or lunch at Jericho Beach, in a picnic area tos of children & rabbits being cute, we Spokesmama.com. Her “minivan” just add one more to the pile, like in this near the concession. One of our riders headed off for home. The ride back east (A longtail cargo bike) is powered by picture on the right. even brought candles & cupcakes for ev- was just as social & relaxed as on our way cheese, craft beer & chocolate. The weather was cool but mostly co- eryone to celebrate his wife’s birthday. out. It’s fun to be able to have a conver- operative with only a couple very light After we’d eaten, chatted, rehydrated sation while riding along quiet roads &

Online issues of WeCycle can be found here http://www.bccc.bc.ca/wecycle

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CMY

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