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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

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okes

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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.

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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: Trevor@cleversmedia.comCover 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 biketowork@bikehub.ca

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

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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

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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 sinead.stinson@best.bc.ca

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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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:

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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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BIKE TO WORK WEEK

WIN a TRIP to EUROPE!Register FREE at bikehub.ca

May 25-312015

- 13 -

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

- 14 -

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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