PHOTO BY TYLER OLSON
Cycling with others – play nice! By Sheila Ascroft WHEN YOU HIT the road on your bike, be polite. With everybody, even the idiot who cuts you off. Manners matter because like it or not, you represent the rest of us two-wheeled road riders. What you do affects the attitude motorists and pedestrians will have toward all cyclists. Ring that bell when passing pedestrians, cyclists, roller bladers, dog walkers, anybody, on recreational paths. Not everyone can hear your wheels, and a bell is less offensive than shouting at them. Just do it early enough so they have time to react. Communicate. Nod your head, wiggle a few fingers off the handlebar, say hello to another cyclist passing by. We’re all together in this crowded world, so keep it friendly. Unless you are doing road intervals, slow down when passing another rider on that quiet road and chat with them for a few minutes. Find out why they cycle. Sharing the road has more than one meaning. Offer help to any cyclist stuck by the side of the road even if you don’t know how to fix a flat. Stop and offer to help anyway. They might just need a tube, a tool, or a cellphone. What goes around comes around and next time it could be you. Even if they don’t need anything, it boosts morale to know there are others about and they care. Stop at kids’ lemonade stands whether you’re thirsty or not. Buy a cup of kindness while boosting junior’s self-esteem. This girl might be a cyclist someday and you have a chance to make a good first impression for cyclists. And if you meet little cyclists, praise them for wearing cool-looking helmets, for stopping at corners, for ringing their bells when passing, or for anything that will keep them safer. Ask before drafting. The faster rider will probably let you enjoy his energy-saving wake, but not always. It’s safer for both of you if the puller knows you are tucked in behind. Some speedies just don’t like hangers on who get a free ride. If you get the 16 | OTTAWAOUTDOORS
OK, take a turn up front if you can. Signalling when slowing or changing lanes will keep you from “kissing wheels” and crashing. Don’t create a dumb accident. If you stop on a pathway to fix something or to chat, move your bikes all the way off the path so other cyclists won’t be impeded. If you invite a neighbour or friend who is a novice cyclist out for a ride, for goodness’ sake ride WITH them. Don’t hammer away and expect them to stay with you, and never brag about how many kilometres you’ve ridden. Instead, focus on your friend and her cycling progress. Show maybe one specific thing that might help improve the friend’s cycling, and don’t nag about her failings. Don’t be gross. Spitting or blowing out your nose can be tough on anyone riding beside or behind. And if a bio-break is needed outdoors, be discreet. And if outdoors isn’t going to work, pay for peeing. When you use the bathroom at a convenience store or gas station, buy something, even just a bottle of water. Storeowners will be glad to see you again. Φ
Bicycle friendly communities There’s something out there called the Bicycle Friendly Community award program, and it’s in business to provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and recognition for communities that support bicycling. It was launched by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in Canada in August 2010 in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists. Ottawa received a gold designation in 2013 for demonstrating achievement in each of the “five Es” (below). Only platinum and diamond are higher. Engineering infrastructure and hardware to support cycling Education to ensure cyclists’ safety, comfort and convenience Encouragement incentives and opportunities to inspire and enable people to ride Enforcement of laws and programs to ensure that cyclists and motorists are held accountable Evaluation and planning to measure results and plan for the cycling future The application form for towns to be designated as bike-friendly can also be an assessment tool to see where they can improve in these categories. Trek Canada is the lead sponsor the program, with support from the Canadian Automobile Association and Norco Bicycle Company. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
