The Perils of Road Rage

Road rage is real. While certainly not limited to drivers, cars are the most dangerous objects on the road. Do drivers really realize the danger their actions pose to cyclists? This video captures the near misses experienced by this London cyclist.

Courtesy Counts

While safety is not just a matter of courtesy, courtesy certainly helps all road users share the road. Suja Lowenthal, the dynamic vice-mayor of Long Beach, CA speaks with two police officers about their daily activities for maintaining the enjoyment for everyone who uses the road. This video is educational but with a unique perspective through the police.

Thinking about commuting by bike? Know these essential tips first

Serious about biking? Don’t forget the essentials for safe and sane cycling – a basic tool kit, spare tube, lights, bell and helmet.

How smart language helped end Seattle’s paralyzing bikelash

What’s in a word? Green Lane Project staff writer Michael Andersen’s article posted on PeopleforBikes.org points out the ideology behind our everyday language and how a simple change may transform a mindset.

Pass on the Left– Bike Etiquette PSA

This very short PSA on the proper etiquette of bicyclists passing on the left is well done and has the best music to go along with their message.  Their website Intersection911.org has some resources that might be of interest to road users.  The message is simple here, be predictable, pass on the left.

Cars vs. bicycles: Get out of my lane (Can’t we all just get along)

Consideration. Cyclists and drivers will have to have a lot more of this for each other on Toronto roads.  This article explains the differing points of view of cyclists and drivers as told by a Toronto Police Staff Sergeant . His main message: We’ll have to get better at sharing.  Click on the article to see his points for sharing the road.

Toronto streets get deadlier for cyclists, pedestrians

Thirty-one people have died on Toronto streets this year — putting the city on track for what could prove a record year in road fatalities. Yvonne Bambrick in this Metro article from June 17, 2015 points out that “bike infrastructure makes the roads work better, and it makes them more predictable.”

Meet the Toronto Electric Riders Association (TERA)

This is a guest post by Fred Dilkes, organizer and founding member of the Toronto Electric Riders Association (TERA). Fred lives in downtown Toronto and rides both e-bikes (2 types) and a conventional bicycle (and is also a member of CycleTO). Stay tuned as TERA will be a regular contributor to the Street Safety Initiative.

In the last few years, there has been an explosion in the number of e-bikes here in Toronto, and indeed across the country. Several reasons have been put forward for this:

• Our congested traffic and the occasional unreliability of public transit make these an excellent alternative for commuting.
• Commuters, who would like to ride a bike to work, find that e-bikes allow them to arrive rested and not perspiring from the effort of pedalling all the way.
• Those who care about the environment are using e-bikes to replace the use of cars for short trips.
• With an aging population, e-bikes allow seniors to continue to enjoy the pleasures of biking even though they may not be as fit as they once were
• And finally — they are just a lot of fun!

Over 5 years ago now (my time flies!), a small group of us “early adopters” got together to exchange information about e-bikes, which were very new at that time. Eventually, this grew to become TERA, which now is a federally incorporated non-profit organization with just under 1200 members and growing. Members are mostly from the GTA, with a few from other communities who ride all manner of electric vehicles. There is no paid staff and all organizers are volunteers. The TERA “mission” at one time was loftily stated as:

TERA represents the new age in personal transportation. TERA supports electric and alternative energy vehicles. TERA members want to make their Toronto a cleaner and safer place in which to live.

 In practice, the main activities include:

• Sharing of information – technical, news, legal, riding tips, etc.
• Participating with in some industry shows (such as Live Green Festival, EVfest, etc.)
• Periodic meet-ups so members can see each other in person, show off their new bikes, exchange information, etc.
• Working with various regulatory bodies to educate and address various e-bike related issues

Feel free to browse our TERA website at www.ebikeriders.com  for more information, or, if you own or are thinking of buying an e-bike, why not join?

Do pedestrians always have the right of way?

Do pedestrians always have the right of way? Well, yes. But did you know pedestrians have an obligation to cross as quickly as reasonably possible? Blogger Planetype has all the details for you!

3 Ways Bill 31 Changes the Rules of the Road in Ontario

“Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act” received unanimous support from all three political parties in Ontario Legislature on June 2nd, 2015. A few changes to note are that drivers should maintain a one metre distance from cyclists where possible, ‘dooring’ convictions and distracted driving fines have increased. Read more about the changes in this article on the CAA blog.