Cycle Therapy - Winter 2020

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Cycle Therapy

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20-21 0 2 no. 136

Cycle Therapy Published by the: Bike Victoria Society 1034 Hillside Ave. PO Box 8837 Victoria, BC, V8W 3S3

The BVS’s purpose is to get more people cycling moreplaces more often in Greater Victoria by: • Encouraging people of all ages and abilities to cycle more often • Encouraging the construction of safe, convenient, and comfortable cycling facilities • Providing and improving cycling education • Improving the legal climate for cyclists • Raising the profile of cycling by holding events • Working towards greater cooperation and safety among all road users • Working cooperatively in the broader community to advance the interests ofcycling and other modes of active transportation.

Message from the President I

t is with great pleasure that we welcome you back to Cycle Therapy, the news and culture publication of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition. A lot has changed since our last publication in 2016, including our name with our merger with the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society, but we are still focused on more people, cycling more places, more often.

To contribute to Cycle Therapy, please email: Admin@biketowork.ca Submissions are greatly encouraged. Still, we reserve the right to edit copy in the interest of clarity or where necessary. The views expressed in Cycle Therapy are not necessarily those of the BVS. All articles, photos, and graphics published in Cycle Therapy remain the intellectual property of the authors and artists.

Visit us online: gvcc.bc.ca biketoworkvictoria.ca facebook.com/GVCCbc or /biketoworkvictoria twitter.com/gvcc or /BiketoWorkVic Editor: Adam Krupper Design Editors: Mark Sadoway, Jennifer Longstaff, and Shaun Ellithorpe Contributors: Michael Fisher, Ed Pullman, Todd Kalyniuk, Ruth McAllister, Susanna Grimes, Amanda MacDonald, Ali Rivers, Alfredo Franco Cea, James Coates, Justine Bochenek, Travis Chater, Ed Janiki, Markus Spodzieja, Vincent Gornall, Victoria Levesque, Evan Thomas, Corey Burger, Jaimy Fischer, and Charles Horn Distribution: James Coates and Justine Bochenek BVS Board of Directors: President: Corey Burger VP External: Edward Pullman VP Internal: Meredith James Secretary: Rebecca Freedman Treasurer: Katelynn Schriner Director: Hu Wallis Director: Devon Windsor-Doyle Director: Tim Schober Bookkeeper: Andrew Johnson Printed by: First Choice Books & Victoria Bindery

Tackling our biggest news first: the merger. In fall 2019, the GVCC and GVBTWS membership voted to merge, bringing events, advocacy, and training back under one umbrella. The GVCC was proud to have initiated one of the first Bike to Work Weeks in North America in the early 1990s and, in 1996, we helped create a separate society for the new event, separating out politically-challenging advocacy from programs. But by the 2010s, it was clear that the old separation no longer made sense and so here we are back full circle as a merged organization.

2020 brought a world utterly transformed by COVID-19. The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of human connection and the power of the bike in offering a safe means of both getting around to our destinations and getting the exercise we need in this physically-distant word.

Despite the challenges of 2020, our staff and volunteers have done amazing things this year, pivoting and changing as needed. All of our traditional programming, from Bike to Work Week, to our themed rides, to our skills training was upended, delayed, or cancelled. But we were able to run a successful fall Go By Bike Week, converted our Themed Rides into Neighbourhood Rides and, by the summer, ran our skills training again, including the exciting new Everyone Rides Grade 4-5 program in schools across the region.

ADVOCACY UPDATE T

AGM UPDATE

o describe bike advocacy as a whirlwind is an understatement. The pace of change in the past few years has been nothing short of incredible. The near completion of the downtown protected bike lanes and the new sections of the E&N Rail Trail, plus all the work elsewhere in the region have been amazing to watch. Seeing kids ride downtown for the first time has been wonderful and a great reminder of why we do what we do.

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What we’ve been working on is too numerous to mention, but it covers the whole region from new active transportation plans in Central Saanich, North Saanich, and soon Sidney, to new projects in Oak Bay and Esquimalt on the horizon, continued work on the West Shore and more. Provincially, we were also involved in the new Active Transportation Strategy as well as the new Active Transportation Design Guide.

We normally hold an AGM every November but, for obvious reasons, we held off. We’re both excited and nervous about hosting our very first Digital AGM! The date is set for January 27, 2021. Members: keep an eye out for your invitation!

We’re also working on a transition of our advocacy to local and project-specific teams, the first of which, the Esquimalt local committee, has been up and running for over a year. In 2021, work on starting up Regional Trails, Bike Parking, West Shore, and Peninsula committees will accelerate.

As always, if you want to get involved, we are always looking for more people to join us on a whole variety of different advocacy projects. Drop us an email, send us a message on social media, or comment on our website. We would love to hear from you!

n December 5th, 2019, the new Society – ‘Bike Victoria Society’ was formally approved by the BC Registrar’s office. We were thrilled.

A new ‘Bike Victoria Board’ was formed, consisting of members from both the GVCC and GVBTWS Boards, plus some new faces as well. Our biggest project has been the steady bringing together of operations and activities of two organizations with 25-year histories – during a pandemic!

Our goal is to keep this AGM down to bare-bones.

AGMs can be complex beasts and experts have told us to keep it simple. The biggest, most important piece of business will be electing new Board Members. We’ve had a great recruitment process with lots of talented people stepping forward.

We’d love to have our members join us at the AGM. We’re exciting to talk to you about the work we’ve done during the pandemic and what we hope to achieve in the next few years.

One of our big goals is to re-energize our membership with exciting projects; projects that start at grassroots and make a real difference in people’s lives. The AGM is where a new chapter begins.

See you there!

Moving forward and having weathered the 2020 storms, 2021 is a new year to roll out a new, combined brand, expand our bike skills, bring back our rides, and more. To start it off, our next AGM in January 2021 will elect a new Board and keep us moving on our exciting changes.

Thanks again for your support, and happy riding!

We are grateful to be able to cycle on the unceded Coast Salish Territories of the Lekwungen and WSANEC nations.

The BVS is a proud member of the BC Cycling Coalition.

On the Cover: The Levesque family enjoys a ride on the new Dallas Rd. multi-use trail in early Nov. 2020.

Photo by Victoria Levesque

2 • Cycle Therapy

Corey Burger President

People walking and on bikes enjoying the new Harbour Rd. protected bike lane, one of many projects we have successfully advocated for recently.

Photo credit: Jim Mayer

Winter 2020-21 •

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Bike Scents

Confessions of a Proud Covid-Convert

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Ali Rivers

Alredo Franco Cea

ello. My name is Alfredo Franco Cea and I am a proud Covid-convert to cycling. But my story about using a bicycle for transportation started many years ago in Mexico City - the place where I was born and grew up a few decades ago...

challenged myself to bike to work during Go By Bike Week.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m no stranger to cycling. I spent a decade biking around Montreal on my way to work, softball games, the depanneur, and the bar. But I hadn’t tackled my new commute since moving to BC and starting a job in Central Saanich in late August. I live next to the Gorge in Saanich and had been driving 20 minutes into work on the days I wasn’t working from home.

Back in the eighties, the air quality of Mexico city was so bad, it was often referred to as “the worst” in the world. So, in order to fight the suffocating air pollution, the local government came up with a scheme to restrict the number of vehicles on the roads according to the licence plate number. So, vehicles with plates ending in 1 or 2 couldn’t be driven on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, and so on...

I thought it was a fantastic idea, but my own father, who was -and still is- very car-dependent, decided that it was a hassle and in order to avoid the restriction he bought another car.

The one-way distance by bike is 23 kilometres. My average commute in Montreal was 4km…and did not require waking up before the sun.

I left my house Monday morning in the pre-dawn grey.

Over the course of that first ride I experienced a cascade of emotions, from excitement & determination to exhaustion & self-doubt – especially when remembering the 23km return trip at the end of the day. It was the sights and sounds along the way that kept me motivated, and at times giddy. I rumbled over wooden bridges by Swan and Blenkinsop Lakes, crept through empty rural intersections in the fog, crested onto the hills of Cordova Bay as the sunrise sparkled off the water, and flew through the bucolic beauty of the peninsula’s farmlands.

I pushed up the final slope into the parking lot at my office and arrived – flushed, fatigued, and filled with pride.

subtle loops to avoid never-ending banana slugs dotting the edges of the path. The ride home – under shafts of sunlight slanting through the trees that hug Lochside Trail – has its own flavours. Musty leaves crackle under my tires, smelling faintly of decay. Slowing my pace as I pass through neighbourhoods, I take in the aroma of sweet & smoky barbecue, roasting garlic, freshly mowed lawns, and freshly lit grass.

Of all the things to love about biking, the constant chance to engage my senses is my favourite. They are charged, heightened, and pull me into the sensory intimacy of the setting. I don’t simply move through communities & landscapes when I bike – I savour them.

For decades, I relied on public transportation for my daily needs, but this year changed everything. I don’t have to explain the reason why since March of this year, I have been very reluctant to ride the bus or hail a taxi. And therefore, I took up biking.

I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was fourteen, but, as they say, “riding a bike is just like riding a bike”. And I’m loving it!

Over the summer months, me and Mateo, my four-year-old son, came home by bike every day from his daycare. We went to parks. We went shopping. We rode the new AAA bike lanes downtown. We even went on a family vacation! All of it just by pedaling our bikes.

And the same did many other people.

And we will continue to do so. As the days grow shorter, colder and darker, we will, no doubt, have to adjust, but I’m positive and confident that we will be fine.

I understood that buying extra cars, which, in general, were older and more polluting, was defeating the purpose of the program, so I decided that, because my father was already driving the car that would have eventually belonged to me, I would just simply not drive a car.

So. Yes. I am a proud Covid-convert to cycling but my story started long before the virus changed our lifestyles. And I also am extremely proud to say that this is the life that my son knows and that he wouldn’t have it any other way. He loves it too!

And I have kept that promise to myself. I’ve never driven a car. I don’t have a driver’s licence. In fact, I’ve never even learned how to drive. And I’ve never needed to.

This has been our story. And we’re looking forward to much more of it!

I biked over 130km during that week. The clear-headed adrenaline rush after each ride lasted hours and the soreness in my legs and shoulders was a souvenir of the day’s distance.

One of the most notable – and least expected – revelations from my long commutes was how much more I used my sense of smell.

In my car, the scents are predictable and dim, muted after countless rounds through the ventilation system. The back smells like my dog, who – as evidenced by the muddy paw prints on the seats and nose smears on the window – has claimed it as his post-hike kingdom. And after months of pandemic-era grocery trips, the front seats flaunt the, astringent smell of hand sanitizer.

On my bike, the scents are sharp and immense. They surprise me, surround me, and signal a specific time of day. Morning trips are saturated with damp soil and strong coffee, freshly baked bread – and even fresher manure. My tires swerve in

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Winter 2020-21 •

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BURNSIDE BIKES!

Todd’s Pro Tips:

8 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BIKE SAFE

Travis Chater

Todd Kalyniuk

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omething certain in this time of uncertainty is RIDING BIKES IS AWESOME! The Burnside Gorge Community Association and The Bike to Work Society came together this August to host a kids riding skills clinic in the grassy Selkirk Green Park.

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n 2020 bike thefts are up, so what can we do to reduce the chances of getting your bike stolen? Here are a few steps to improve your odds:

1. Rigid lock. Cable locks offer little protection and can easily be cut, so use a rigid lock like a U-Lock, a good quality chain and lock, or a folding lock. Locks from high-quality brands are harder to cut, so look for brands like Abus or Kryptonite.

2. Lock to something solid. Bike racks are usually the best option but other solid objects, like steel poles, may also be good. Make sure they are wellfastened to the ground. If you use other metal objects, make sure your bike can’t be lifted over it.

3. Lock both frame and wheels. We see many bike wheels left behind after the rest of the bike is stolen, so lock both if possible. You can also replace quick releases with fasteners that require tools to remove.

4. Visible and Short-Term. Lock your bike in a visible area and don’t leave it for long periods. In downtown Victoria, there is on-street bike parking that is highly visible and the City does provide bike parking in the downtown parkades.

5. Take-with. Take anything with you that’s not bolted on. Lights and other accessories are easy to steal, so remove them. Have an e-bike? Remove the battery.

6. Register! Register! Register your bike with the Victoria Police Department and with Project 529. Both services are free and the VicPD provide stickers that show your bike is registered. These help deter theft and help recover stolen bikes (over 20% of stolen bikes are recovered). Keep your bill-of-sale when you buy a bike, record the serial number. Take photos including; bike, serial number (usually under the bottom bracket), and you with the bike to establish ownership.

7. Insure your bike. Add your bike to a homeowner’s policy or purchase separate bike insurance. If it’s stolen, this makes replacement more affordable.

8. Police Report. If your bike is stolen, file a police report with the local police.

Police in the region share information on stolen bikes and will share Canadawide in some cases.

The best strategy is to take your bike into your house, apartment, or office if at all possible. But there have even been thefts from locked bike cages in condo and apartment buildings, so if you do use a bike cage, lock your bike well.

These steps can all help to reduce the risk of bike theft and to make it easier to enjoy your rides to all parts of Victoria.

6 • Cycle Therapy

BIKE PARKING SOLUTIONS Vincent Gornall & Jenn Neilson

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ast year, the Bike Parking Solutions team created a new Facebook group as a place to share bike parking successes and failures.

The lively group aims to make cycling easier and more fun, by discussing good and bad examples of rack placement and design.

By tagging the location of the racks, we celebrate the places where it’s easy to park our bikes and encourage organizations to improve their racks so that it’s easier for us to get there.

Posts on the group also branch out to adjacent topics -- including sidewalk designs that inhibit cycling and opportunities to provide feedback on new bike lanes.

Bike Parking Solutions - Victoria serves a number of important functions. On occasion, organizations have reached out to us for advice on how to improve their bike parking.

Members of the group have learned about opportunities to advocate for better cycling facilities and shared resources related to the core mission of improving bike parking in the region. The group has even served as a forum for sharing art that celebrates the radical act of human powered transportation.

You can help improve bike parking in the region by joining the group on Facebook and posting photos of your favourite bike racks and those that you find irksome. Find us at ‘Bike Parking Solutions - Victoria.’

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ike to Work Society Bike Skills Instructors educated kids aged three to seven on how to safely and properly fit a helmet and coached them through an obstacle course challenging their balance, braking, and biking ABC’s. Kid riders zoomed down ramps, crossed skinny balance beams, and weaved through cones. Their grass-stained knees and ear-to-ear smiles showed how much they enjoyed challenging themselves and gaining the confidence to try things faster or higher.

t was a great way to stay distant, be social, and strengthen participant’s connections to Victoria’s fantastic cycling community. We have so many amazing bike parks, trails, and bike lanes in Victoria. Many of which are there due to the advocacy efforts from organizations such as the Bike to Work Society. It’s encouraging to know we have so many safe and skilled young riders who will continue to use and be stewards of these riding locations and networks of infrastructure.

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he event was fortunate to have the support from several local organizations and businesses. We were so appreciative to have the on-site mechanical support and donation of draw prizes from Cycles West. A shout-out to our other sponsors that made the event a success: North Park Bike Shop for their draw prize donation and Red Barn Market for providing the snacks for the riders and volunteers.

Winter 2020-21 •

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MAIN CAUSES OF CRASHES:

HAS COVID CHANGED CYCLING HABITS?

We looked at injury details from nearly 300 bike crashes from across (Harbour Rd) the VictoriaGalloping area, reportedGoose over five years (2015-2019) to BikeMaps.org.

Here are the top crash circumstances that resulted in injury:

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Many people have found respite from the challenges of 2020 on a bike. Some are riding 30000 more, some are back in the saddle, and some are learning for the first time.

25000 It’s really interesting to look at how our biking has shifted this year. Throughout the region, the total number 20000 of people on their bikes is similar to last year, but we’ve seen a change in where and when people are riding. More people are out on the regional trails, riding at Lochside Trail (Borden St) different times of the day, and likely more for exercise and recreation.

50000 15000 45000 For example, average monthly ridership on40000 the Lochside Trail was up between 6 and 13% 10000 from May to August this year, which is a lot35000 considering the number of Canadians working 30000before the pandemic. By comparison, on the from home 5000 was five times higher than it was 25000 Goose closer to downtown, average monthly ridership was down, but numbers were still 20000 strong given the0 circumstances.

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In our analysis, 63% of crashes involved a motor vehicle, half of which resulted in an injury where the person needed medical attention. Vehicles turning left, right hooks, and doorings were the most dangerous. Less severe crashes followed close passes and doorings, but some reports indicated a person fell and was injured as they swerved to avoid these.

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TRACKS

Train tracks and bikes don’t mix well, especially in slippery weather. Locals reported serious crashes on tracks at a few spots, particularly at intersections along the E&N Rail Trail.

One report highlights “The bike lane is painted green in the curve that crosses the railroad tracks. The wet surface made it slippery, which caused me to skid while following the curve.”

August

Transient conditions, especially in the winter, can lead to falls or crashes with the road surface. People reported crashes with windfall, potholes, gravel, and icy surfaces. Check out the latest BikeMaps.org blog post to learn the warning signs for black ice conditions.

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A variety of crashes happened while a person was riding downhill, including collisions with vehicles and falls related to road surface conditions. Downhill grades are risky because both vehicles and the person on the bike tend to be going faster. Jun May Jul Aug

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CONFLICTS 2019 WITH MOTOR VEHICLES 2020

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A variety of crashes happened while a person was riding downhill, including collisions with vehicles and falls related to road surface conditions. Downhill grades are risky because both vehicles and the person on the bike tend to be going faster.

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Cycle Therapy

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Check out this heatmap comparing hourly ridership patterns on the Goose over the summer months.

Jaimy Fischer is a BikeMaps.org research assistant and a graduate student at SFU. She’s a long-time cyclist and the coordinator for the CRD Regional Bike Count program.

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Transient conditions, especially in the winter, can lead to falls or crashes with the road surface. People reported crashes with windfall, potholes, gravel, and icy surfaces. Check out the latest BikeMaps.org blog Aug Oct Nov postJulto learn theSep warning signs for black ice conditions.

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TRANSIENT HAZARDS & ROAD CONDITIONS

The two rows show ridership for 2019 (top) and 2020 (bottom). Notice the bright yellow patterns in 2019—these are the usual morning and afternoon peak commuting hours. In 2020 these peaks disappear, and we see more activity all through the day, both during the week and on weekends. These patterns hold elsewhere in the region, and, if you’ve been riding around yourself, you’ve likely noticed the shift.

TRANSIENT HAZARDS & ROAD CONDITIONS

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Galloping Goose (Harbour Rd) In our analysis, 63% of crashes involved a motor vehicle, half of which resulted in an injury where the person needed medical attention. Vehicles turning left, right hooks, and doorings were the most dangerous. Less severe crashes followed close passes and doorings, but some reports indicated a person fell and was injured as they swerved to avoid these.

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Deer are common in the region, and hitting one while riding your bike can be deadly. We found that crashes with animals were high on the list of incidents that resulted in injury, with a number related to deer. Here’s one example: “Head on collision with a deer.

Suffered punctured lung, cracked elbow and a lot of road rash. Was in hospital for two days after surgery”. Check out BikeMaps.org to see where people have had run-ins with Rudolph.

BUSY MULTIUSE PATHS

Conflicts with animals, pedestrians, and other people on bikes are common on busy shared paths, but the biggest risk remains crashes with vehicles at road crossings. In our study some of these conflicts resulted in injuries, and there were many other less severe crashes and near misses.

Many of these issues would go undetected without contributions to BikeMaps.org from cyclists like you. The reports offer a wealth of information for researchers, cycling advocates, and local governments looking to make improvements to their bicycling infrastructure. We wish you happy riding this holiday season and hope that you continue mapping with us so Victoria can be a safer place for everyone to ride.

Winter 2020-21 •

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Oct

WINTER CYCLING TIPS

BIKING FOR BUSINESS Charles Horn

We started NomadEx to provide local communities in Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, and Oak Bay with goods from small businesses. We were bike messengers in Vancouver for several years and have worked for numerous delivery companies; so we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to small freight transportation.

We take it upon ourselves to build trust and integrity with our clients and customers, and do so with reliability and speed. By utilizing large 140L messenger backpacks and strong steel front-loading cargo racks, we are able to replace motor vehicles with bicycles and give back time to small business owners so they can do what they need to do.

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uch of the recent policy and public debate in Victoria about biking has focused on bikes as a means of transportation. In general, this takes the form of positioning bikes as a responsible and healthy way to go from one place to another. In other words: bike to work! This is a productive dialogue and a necessary corrective to a car-focused culture.

But what gets missed in this focus is that Victoria is also a place to bike for work. Bikes, that is, are also a business, a trade, an economic sector, a source of employment, and a key piece of civic infrastructure. They are more than a personal means of transport.

Consider, for instance, that you can buy a bike in at least 37 physical locations in greater Victoria. When the bike breaks, you can also get them repaired in at least 29 repair shops in the CRD. These stores employ a minimum of 250 people, likely more in the summer season. There are also at least six companies dedicated to manufacturing bikes or bike accessories in Victoria. Add in big box stores and internet sales, and we can begin to see the scale of bike sales and repairs as a small business sector, a source of employment, and an economic driver.

In addition to this familiar infrastructure of local bikes stores, bikes are also a small but important component of the tourism sector. For instance, a 2015 report on the economics of biking found that at least 150,000 visitors cycle in the region annually. These cyclists are supported by at least seven bike rentals and touring companies, who all employ staff and rent storefronts. The Pedaler Cycling tours, to take one example, employs 13 tour guides, two counter staff, and two managers in the summer season.

10 • Cycle Therapy

Just in terms of careers and business development, then, the bike sector in the Greater Victoria Region opens up a whole range of options: mechanics, sales staff, tour guides, managers of all sorts, customer facing staff, and others.

At a time when delivery is deemed essential, we need to focus on accessibility and what that means to everyone involved in the process. The production, the delivery, and the customer satisfaction. That’s why we are riderowned and the two of us are the customer service rep, the dispatcher, and the rider. We give our customers and clients premium service by being their only mode of contact while also providing a price point that everyone is happy with.

There are also areas where bikes can make inroads into other sectors: the obvious, older and iconic, example is the use of bikes for courier work in urban centres plagued by traffic congestion. But, thanks to Uber Eats and others, we can also now count those using bikes to deliver food or other goods.

The rapid growth in E-bikes sales also opens up other options for bikes to supplant other modes of transport.

As the cycling infrastructure in Victoria and the surrounding areas becomes more complete and more mature, and as the numbers of cyclists increases, it may be time to make sure that the public dialogue and policy debates also begin to give more weight to bikes as bikes-for-work, rather than just as a car replacement that allows people to go to their ‘real’ jobs.

• Layers, layers, layers! Though it may be getting cold out, once you get moving on your bike your body warms up quickly. So dress to be slightly cold when you get on your bike. Merino wool or any synthetic wicking fiber is a great base layer.

• Lights and reflectors! Make sure your lights are charged and wear clothing with reflective strips. Turning on your lights all day helps you be seen: A 2012 study carried out in Denmark found a 19 per cent drop in collisions when cyclists used permanent running lights.

• Tires: When the roads could be icy, deflate your tires to lower-than-normal pressure, which will allow more rubber to contact the road.

• Wet and rain: Rain gear, waterproof bags, and seat covers (thanks bikemaps.org) are great ways to stay warm and dry all over.

• Food and drink: For longer rides, take snacks and hot drinks to keep your energy up and re-hydrate as you go.

• Bike maintenance: Bikes can get mucky with mud, salt, and snow over the winter. To minimize accumulated dirt and rust, clean your chain and drivetrain on a regular basis (after every ride, if possible). Wipe down your brakes so there is good contact between the brakes and wheels. Don’t hesitate to visit your local bike shop for mid-winter tune-up.

The Bikery began with a simple concept; to use my passion for biking and baking to whip up fresh artisan pretzels, and sell them out of a bicycle-driven cart. This idea, combined with a strong social media presence, allowed customers to see me on their Instagram/Facebook feeds and track me down for fresh pretzels.

It was a chance to start a business without a storefront, choosing to rent space in commercial kitchens. My business soon expanded to delivery. Online next-day ordering means that I can cut down on waste by baking only what is needed. During the initial wave of Covid, I was able to continue operation by utilizing contactless payment and drop off.

I discovered that there is a large Jewish community who did not have a Kosher bakery. I have worked with the community to develop a fully-kosher menu. Now, I am the only Kosher bakery on Vancouver Island.

And to think, it all started with a bike, a box, and some salted, twisty treats.

Flyer for our Light the Night Program. Designed by Jonah Grindler

Winter 2020-21 •

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Cycle by the Seaside

Victoria Levesque @theradcyclist

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y family and I have had the good fortune to live and recreate for the last few decades on the unceded lands of the Lekwungen people, the Songhees and Esquimalt first nations (Greater Victoria).

My husband and I have owned a Bakfiets cargo bike for over 10-years which has allowed us to get our children out and about on a bicycle at a young age. Our now 13- and 8-year-old children are more than capable of cycling on their own, yet are still learning to navigate the rules of the road and cycling safety.

We have enjoyed spending time riding bicycles as a family on the Galloping Goose trail, the Flight Path, Lochside Drive, the E&N Trail, and now can finally enjoy the new Dallas Rd. separated pedestrian/cyclist path along Beacon Hill Park’s oceanside promenade.

Once we made our way along quiet side streets in Gonzales/Fairfield on a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, we met the crosswalk on Dallas Rd. to join the new path near Clover point. The fresh pavement was smooth and the path wide enough to navigate with people walking, cycling, and rollerblading.

I noticed that the parking area adjacent to the new path near Cook St. allowed people to pull up and enjoy the salty air from their vehicle. I noticed van lifers who set up an outdoor kitchen/dining area with folding chairs in order to enjoy the sunshine and ocean breeze while people passed by. The dog run area is separated behind a new wooden fence.

Car-free and Carefree!

Ruth McAllister “You’ve never owned a car??!”

“Not ever had a driver’s license???!”

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orth Americans, and particularly USAnians, are shocked and often appalled that I’m not a car, truck, SUV, or even a motorcycle driver. I’ve never wanted to, even with encouragement, and sometimes ridicule, of family and friends. I was told I HAD to learn as a teen. The one who dragged me to her car to force me to learn. The warnings that everyone must have a license, ‘Just in case.’ No, nope, nuh uh! Not me!

I’ve had many bikes but from now on they will always be cargo worthy. My Kona Ute is the best. I bought it 7 years ago from Goldstream Cycles in Langford, the Best Bike Shop in Victoria. It’s a life changer! Every day is a Haul-i-day! 45 kg of

MLA Rob Fleming VICTORIA–SWAN LAKE

12 • Cycle Therapy

groceries from Costco? A small fridge? My Christmas tree?

A load of flamingos to celebrate a 50th birthday? No worries!

And for dressy occasions there’s my handmade in Stratford England Pashley found at a garage sale for $400!

What has truly made me a more confident and safer rider is using my noodle. A simple half pool noodle, bought at a dollar store, sticks sideways out from the rear of my ride, reminding others to keep a distance! It works amazingly well; I often am given at least half a car length not to mention thumbs up, praise from drivers and giggles from kids and parents. I hope you’ll consider doing the same. We cyclists need to be seen and respected.

The family and I continued on the path; our goal to make it to the Oswego Video for a treat and some popcorn. We stopped at crosswalks to allow pedestrians to cross: we were not in a rush. We took our time and I realized that I could look over to the ocean as I rolled along the path. It felt freeing compared to the experience of cycling alongside moving vehicles on Dallas Rd. Once we made it to the new protected two-way bike lanes by Ogden Point Breakwater, we could cycle while pedestrians had their own walking space along the new railings that allow a continuous view of the water.

At the abrupt end of the path, we took a side road into James Bay and on to our destination.

We look forward to exploring more of our city on two wheels, as a family.

See you on the road and paths, and remember, use your noodle! Cheers from Ruth.

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Winter 2020-21 •

13

The Pandemic Pedestrian: A Year in Review

WINTER MAINTENANCE with Evan Thomas

Amanda MacDonald

O

ur coastal Winter is upon us, so you may be switching to riding indoors or hitting the pavement only on fair-weather days. In either case, if you plan on spending less time on your bike, it doesn’t mean you can’t stay in cycling shape!

Nothing beats maintaining/improving your cycling fitness more than riding your bike; I usually recommend people to jump on their indoor trainers or stationary bikes, if they have them.

If you don’t have a means to cycle indoors, there are a number of really great exercises you can do at home to keep up your cycling strength and cardiovascular conditioning.

I’d like to present “The EMOM” (Every Minute On the Minute), a type of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout. I use the SmartWOD Timer app to time the workout. Select “EMOM”, pick “Every 1 minute”, and then “for 16 minutes” – i.e. 4 rounds of 4 exercises (see below), with each exercise lasting up to 1-minute. If you complete all repetitions for the exercise, the time that remains of that minute is your rest time.

Alright, lets go!

1

Mountain Climbers

(10 reps per leg)

2

Resistance Band Reverse Flies (10-15 reps)

3

Stationary Lunges

(10 reps per leg)

4

Romanian Deadlifts (10-15 reps)

Setup: Push-up position Setup: Hold the band Setup: If you want to use Setup: Place feet hip width apart and slightly with hands placed under with both hands and shoulders. place a small amount of tension into it. Position Movement: Drive your arms at shoulder height, right knee up to your keep posture upright, chest, then straighten chin tucked-in slightly. your leg back out to the start position, then do the M o v e m e n t : K e e p i n g same on your left side. elbows straight, pull the Alternate legs until you band apart and slightly have completed all reps. squeeze your shoulder blades together until you form a “T” with your arms and torso. Slowly return Have fun with this! your arms back to the Feel free to email me start position.

questions or if you need modifications/other exercise suggestions: evan@docksidephysio.com

14 • Cycle Therapy

a weight, hold it in your right hand. Place your left leg in front and right leg behind. Your foot distance should feel like you took a large step.

Movement: Keeping your

body upright and back straight, lower your body down until your knee just hovers above the floor.

Avoid leaning/shifting your bodyweight forwards or backwards. Perform 10 reps, then switch foot and weight position and perform 10 more.

bend your knees. Hold a weight with both hands (kettlebell, dumbbell, bucket of rocks, etc).

Select a weight you feel is safe to lift while also being a challenge.

M o v e m e n t : Ke ep i n g

your spine straight and shoulders back, perform a bowing motion (i.e. hinge at your hips) so your hips move behind your feet and lower the weight towards the floor. Stop when you feel a hamstring stretch, then drive your hips forwards to power back up into standing.

W

alk On, Victoria is Greater Victoria’s pedestrian advocacy group. Whether you walk to work or school, for exercise or pleasure, we want to make our region a safer and more enjoyable place to walk.

2020 brought many challenges but also opportunities to make our communities more pedestrian-friendly. When COVID-19 first hit home, many people starting walking more for exercise and pleasure and to meet with family in friends while physical distancing. The advice from our health officials is to stay 2-meters apart, but many of our sidewalks are not wide enough to do this! We advocated for creating wider sidewalks and spaces for pedestrians to be able to physical distance and saw a number of new “pedestrian lanes” pop up across the region and the completion of infrastructure projects such as the improved Dallas Rd. walkway.

Our group advocates for more spaces dedicated to pedestrians, to allow people to walk without worrying about cars. We were happy to see Government St. in Victoria become a space for pedestrians and it become a lively place for people to gather. We want to see these changes become permanent beyond the pandemic and create more dedicated spaces for pedestrians to walk and enjoy outdoor spaces.

Up Top: New pedestrian lane on Menzies St. in James Bay allows for physical distancing in a busy area.

Down Below: Government St. gives the right-of-way to pedestrians as businesses set up patios on the street.

There is still a lot of work to be done. This year, we advocated for improvements to Shelbourne St. in Saanich, but have yet to see the important infrastructure changes needed to make the street safer for walking. Many streets lack safe sidewalks (or are missing sidewalks all together!) and we will continue to advocate for infrastructure improvements across the region. We also want to see the implementation of lower speed limits and a commitment to reducing pedestrian deaths and injuries- towards Vision Zero.

Happy walking!

Winter 2020-21 •

15

electric bikes :

a primer

Comparing Internally-Geared Hubs: Shimano Alfine 8-Speed vs. Rohloff 14-Speed Ed Janiki

Michael Fisher

I T

here are many varieties of electric bikes ranging from those that require you to pedal (Pedelecs) to those that are just electric motorbikes or scooters – no pedaling required. The starting point is that they all have a battery, electric motor, and a speed limiter.

Legally in BC, e-bikes are limited to 32 km/hr and must be capable of being pedaled. The electric motorbikes/scooters (where the cosmetic pedals have been removed) that you may see around town are not legal and the riders can face prosecution for riding a motor vehicle without license or insurance. We will restrict ourselves to a standard Pedelecs.

A Pedelec assists your pedaling to make your ride easier and/or faster. It makes steep hills relatively easy and allows those with less than Lance Armstrong muscles to easily reach speeds of over 30 km/hr.

The electric motor is placed in the middle (by the main crank – ‘mid-drive’ units) or in one of the wheel hubs – usually the rear.

Speed or boost is controlled with a twist throttle or through an electronic control system that provides different boost or assistance levels to your pedaling. The battery can be placed in a variety of locations and is charged from a normal 110volt outlet in a few hours.

have been enjoying the advantages of bikes with Internally Geared Hubs (IGH) for more than ten years and have ridden thousands of kilometres on a variety of them. I especially like how they never squeak, even without maintenance after a whole winter of riding in the rain and grit. Another great feature for city riding is that gears can be shifted while waiting at a stoplight. There is no derailleur to bend or break if the bike falls on its side or gets jammed in a bike rack.

Currently, I own two bikes with an IGH: one with a Shimano Alfine 8-speed and another with a Rohloff 14-speed. I use the Shimano bike primarily for commuting and errands in the city. The Rohloff bike is taken on longer rides.

Shimano Alfine 8-Speed

Rohloff 14-Speed

Pros

Pros

For busy parents or light deliveries – an electric cargo bike provides a valuable and cheaper alternative to a van. Free parking and low running costs.

I have been riding an electric bike for almost 2-years now and covered many thousands of kilometres. It is a joy to ride easily up a hill that would have had me in the lowest gear on my regular commuter bike. However, it does feel a little bit like cheating.

•

CONSIDERATIONS Cost

Range

A basic electric bike starts at $1,000 and can easily go up to $4,000 or more depending on options. Protecting that valuable asset when parked is a very real concern so you may wish to consider whether you have safe indoor parking to protect it from thieves

Advertising of electric bikes will highlight ranges of UP TO X kilometres. Take that range with a grain of salt as your actual range will be much less, especially if loaded or there are hills.

• • • •

Cons

Weight

Safety

A battery and motor are heavy and this makes the bike heavier to move around and, if the battery dies on a ride, a very real challenge to ride it home or lift it onto a bus or car rack. Bike weights are usually about 50 pounds (twice the weight of a regular bike)

As electric bikes allow people to go faster despite lower levels of fitness, there is an increased risk of crash with inexperienced riders. Holland has seen a boom in electric bike sales and a concomitant increase in crashes of older riders using them.

• • • • •

16 • Cycle Therapy

Ergonomic shifter that engages the gears positively Very smooth and noise free ride in all gears Gear range is adequate for most city riding Cost to purchase is same as for a typical ‘derailleur’ bike Needs little maintenance

Not as speedy as a derailleur bike: some power is lost Gear range might not be enough for longdistance rides over hilly terrain Gearing increments are not even Needs little maintenance, but needs to be done at bike shop that know IGHs Rear wheel is tricky to remove

• • • • • • •

Almost as efficient and fast as a derailleur bike Range of gearing is enough for any riding The increments between gears is perfectly even Robust and sturdy; can last 100,000 kms+ The rear wheel is easy to remove and replace Lubrication can be done at home with a special kit Shifter adapters are available to convert from flat to drop bars

Cons

• • • •

Expensive. The hub costs a lot and you will never find it installed stock on a bike in a shop The twist shifter does not always engage perfectly for each gear. It has an imprecise analog feel to it When shifting under load, you need to back power off slightly Not all gears are noise free Winter 2020-21 •

17

The Age of Possibility

Literary Nook:

A JOURNEY OF POSSIBILITIES UNKNOWN

Susanna Grimes

I have begun bike riding again after not riding since the early ‘80s, and then only for about 5 years or so…Want to join my Grandmothers for Africa friends on an electric bike…but find traffic terrifying…Please help! - Linda

Justine Bochenek

You & A Bike & A Road

By Eleanor Davis 172 pages Koyama Press

I have just purchased an e-bike and would like to take a refresher course to regain confidence after recovering from a stroke two years ago. - Dorothy

A

few summers ago, I came across a quirky little comic book called, You & a Bike & a Road, while travelling with a partner in Montreal. After leaving the bookstore, we sat down and read the book aloud to each other all in one go.

We are two women in our mid-seventies who have got on our bikes recently after many years of not doing so. We are feeling a bit nervous about cycling and both need some confidence in the basics of riding our bicycles. - Carol I haven’t ridden a bike much in the past 5 years and before that almost nothing for 30 years. I purchased an e-bike in June but I am not fit and want to feel comfortable riding with my friends…I have some health issues and am afraid of falling... - Shelley

O

ne the positive impacts that COVID has had in many parts of the developed world is a surge in bike riding. Aside from the many known benefits of cycling, it also satisfies physical distancing requirements, gets people outside, and offers exercise for people suffering from cabin fever.

Coincident with this unusual circumstance is the build-out of an ambitious bike route network in the City of Victoria. This has created an extraordinary opportunity to encourage new cyclists. People who have only ridden recreationally, if at all, want dedicated and safe on-road infrastructure.

From my perspective as a cycling instructor, many also benefit from training in bike handling skills and riding in traffic.

Most people that I teach are older adults, who are getting back into cycling after decades of not cycling. They see others their age riding bikes, the inviting new bike lanes, and want to get in on the fun. They are retired or close to it, and want to ride for enjoyment and health. For some, it also offers independence and a mobility choice. Trails, quiet streets, and separated bike lanes are a requirement. The emergence of e-bikes has enabled many to keep cycling, to expand their range, and manage hills with ease.

P.s. I am happy to say that all of the people quoted above (& many others) are riding again.

The book is an illustrated journal by one of my favourite cartoonists, Eleanor Davis, and is about her experiences bike touring across the southern United States in 2016. It chronicles the journey from her parent’s house in Tuscon, Arizona to her home in Athens, Georgia. In all, a 3,000 km trip on a bicycle that her father built for her. Eleanor’s motivation for the trip is deeply personal. She writes of her struggles with depression and suicidal ideation, and her answer to that is, “I feel good when I’m bicycling” (2017).

Cyclists will relate to the hardships that Eleanor faces (severe knee and back pain, flat tires, and fierce headwinds) as well as the joys (glorious tail winds, being alone in nature, and warm showers at the end of the road). The book also contains scenes that are not all that relatable. The tour follows closely along the United States/Mexican border and border patrol becomes a silent antagonist in the story.

One scene follows a devastatingly slow arrest of an undocumented immigrant, which attracts a crowd of jeering on-lookers, exhibiting the cultural landscape through which she is riding.

pay for your massages when your body is run down. This book is for the social justice-minded who believe in seeing the good in people before assuming the worst.

This book is for more than just those who like to look at pretty pictures. This is a book for cycling fans who know what its like to push yourself further than thought was possible. This book is for people who like chance encounters with nice strangers who will

I have since leant this book to my family, purchased new copies as gifts for my friends, and engaged in gushing sessions with other super-fans. I promise that You & a Bike & a Road will be a book that sticks with you and may even inspire your own cycling adventures.

The 4 ‘E’s’ to Getting More People Riding e.g. Victoria’s bike network

2. Education

e.g. Cycling courses, Bike Sense, and the BC Driver’s Handbook (updated with many references to bicycles)

3. Encouragement e.g. Go By Bike Week, peer support 4. Equipment

18 • Cycle Therapy

E-bikes & adult trikes help many people: older adults, long-distance commuters, parents with kids…or anyone!

Park and Ride...

Your Bike Susanna Grimes Cycling Instructor joyriding@shaw.ca www.joyriding.ca Discover – or rediscover – the joy of riding a bike!

Photo Credit: Julie Elizabeth

1. Engineering

Extend your ride with one of our bike lockers. Ride to an exchange, lock up your bike, and bus the remaining distance to your destination or leave a bike in your locker and bus to it from home. For just $10.00/mth you can extend your green commute and avoid those ugly car crawls.

If you’re interested, contact bikelockers@gvcc.bc.ca or call us at 250-920-5775. Locations:

Juan de Fuca • McTavish • Langford Winter 2020-21 •

19

GO BY BIKE WEEK 2020

GRADE 4-5 BIKE SKILLS

NEIGHBOURHOOD RIDES

20 • Cycle Therapy