Volume 1, Issue 6, october 2013

in this issue• copenhagen, the city of cyclists • Join the bccc board! • Petition for better transit • celebrating Active transportation • cycling the KVr • uninsured motorists

A peek At the smAll “butt” mighty AnnuAl VAncouVer nAked bike ride – courtesy of the Work less pArtyPh

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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.

6 times per year, 5000 printed copies are distributed along bike

routes, in community centers, 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 7c2Phone: 604-526-8557

email: info@intwebexpress.comPolicy editor: richard campbell

copy editor: Adam PaluckDesign & layout: tania mcGuire

Help to move cycling Forward

No more Passups. Increase service. better transit Now.

transit in metro Vancouver is stalled and that’s led to service cuts, thousands of pass-ups on busy lines and increased congestion across our region. Whether it’s students trying to get to ubc, commuters trying to get to work from the suburbs, or people trying to get home after a night out, almost everyone in metro Vancouver relies on transit.

even those who do not use

transit benefit from better service. each person taking transit is one less person driving on our congested roads and one less occupied parking spot at their destination.

one million more people are expected to move into the region in the coming decades. for metro Vancouver to continue to grow and prosper, we need a properly funded transit system.

Sign the Petitionplease sign the petition calling

on the province to provide sustainable funding for better transit in metro Vancouver, as outlined in translink’s 10-year strategy at: http://www.bettertransitnow.ca/

the british columbia cycling coalition (bccc) is seeking individuals dedicated to moving cycling forward to stand for nomination to our board of directors at the Annual general meeting on october 17, 2013. the bccc is a registered non-profit society whose members are cycling organizations individuals and throughout the province. We are dedicated to the implementation and improvement of policies and programs that will encourage more people of all ages and abilities to cycle for transportation, recreation and tourism.

the organization is currently volunteer run with the majority of work being performed by members of the board of directors. We are in the process of transitioning to a model where day-to-day operations are managed by staff and volunteers while the board provides organizational and advocacy leadership and governance. Key initiativeS

in the coming year, efforts will be focused on the following initiatives:

Provincial cycling Strategy – Safety and encouragement• Advocating for more funding for all ages infrastructure and education• Advocating for better hazard removal and maintenance on roads and bicycle paths• developing a hazard reporting web site and mobile app• improved and increased education for cyclists and drivers• updates to the motor Vehicle Act to improve cycling safety and encourage more people to cyclecycling touriSm• encouraging the province to implement a comprehensive cycling tourism strategy• mapping existing and proposed cycling tourism routes• the developing and offering of cycling toursexPerience and SKillS

to move the organization and these initiatives forward, we are seeking people who are passionate about cycling to provide leadership, experience and advice in one or more of the following areas:• fundraising• organizational development

• membership development Advocacy• gis systems and mobile app product development and management

We are also looking for board members with contacts and experience in government, non profit groups and bicycle, tourism and consulting industries.

board nominees are encouraged but not required to attend the Agm and Annual conference on october 25th-27, 2013.

if you are interested or would like more information, please contact:

rIcHArD cAmPbell778-891-1764president@bccc.bc.ca

more at: http://bccc.bc.ca/call-for-directors-2/

copenhagen, the city of cyclists it’s amazing what a curb can do

Brian Patterson

Welcome to the City of Cyclists: Copenhagen, Denmark! I felt I already knew a lot about this utopia for urban cycling thanks to having worked directly with Andreas Rohl, Copenhagen’s Bicycle Programme Manager, when he joined Urban Systems last year. But there is nothing quite like experiencing something firsthand for yourself. It really was quite a sight to see the sheer number of people riding their bicycles - everywhere, all day and night, and people of all ages and abilities - and to experience firsthand what it’s like to cycle among the masses.

Copenhagen is one of the worlds’ leading cities for cycling. According to the City’s 2012 Bicycle Account, 36% of trips to work or school in the City are made by bicycle, and there are 1.27 million kilometres cycled every day in the City. How far is 1.27 million kilometres you ask? It turns out, that’s more than three times than the distance to the moon cycled by Copenhageners every single day! Historically there has been a strong cycling culture in Copenhagen, though, these numbers haven’t always been this high. In fact, since 1996 the cycling mode share has increased by 20% and the total number of kilometres cycled in Copenhagen has increased by 36%. This corresponds with a similar increase in the amount of bicycle facilities in the City, which increased by 32% from 323 km in 1996 to 426 km in 2012. More importantly than the extent of Copenhagen’s bicycle network, though, is the type of bicycle facilities they focus on. The bread and butter of Copenhagen’s bicycle network is made up of cycle tracks.

So, what is a cycle track? A cycle track is an exclusive bicycle facility that combines the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional

bicycle lane. Cycle tracks have different forms and go by different names (such as protected bicycle lanes, separated bicycle lanes, or on-road bicycle paths) but all share common elements – they provide space that is intended to be exclusively or primarily for bicycles, and are separated from motor vehicle travel lanes, parking lanes and sidewalks. Cycle tracks have taken many forms across North America, but in Copenhagen, they are remarkably simple, and always follow the same formula: car lanes - curb - cycle track - curb - sidewalk. It is the use of this simple curb that provides the physical separation between both cars and pedestrians, and contributes to a sense of comfort and safety that makes them attractive to so many. It seems like such a simple and obvious concept. Copenhagen has the cycle track down to a formula, although there are some variations. Most often, cycle tracks are right between car lanes and the sidewalk, but in many cases parked cars are also used as a physical barrier, and sometimes there is also a physical barrier made up of nordic granite cobblestone or a landscaped boulevard.

Cycle tracks have been so wildly successful that they are not only building new cycle tracks, but widening some of the old cycle tracks that aren’t wide enough to meet demand anymore. Some of the busiest cycle tracks in the City have over 30,000 cyclists per day. In fact, by 5:00pm on Friday, 46,738 cyclists had crossed the bridge to Norrebrogade that day!

Photos and more posts from Copenhagen at: http://urbanbrian.blogspot.ca/2013/09/its-amazing-what-curb-can-do.html

Photos by Brian Patterson

celebrating Active transportationnorth vancouver

By Kevin Chan Heart and Stroke Foundation

It used to be that the vast majority of kids would walk and bike to school, but over the decades that has been changing. On school days, local streets are traffic-jammed with cars instead of with children who are trotting or biking to school with their friends. This takes away an important opportunity from our kids for an additional “dose” of life-saving daily physical activity. It also creates traffic jams, increases chances of accidents, and worsens the air quality.

There is no doubt about it: healthy choices like walking, biking, and eating right contribute to a healthy heart. In Edgemont, a growing number of parents have taken notice of the evidence linking children’s health to active transportation. Here, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is supporting a group of parents and community leaders who are working on a bold vision to once again see streets that are buzzing with children and youth walking and cycling to school, and other key destinations.

On October 5 from 10am-2pm, neighbourhood families, seniors, and local business owners will hop on

their bikes, and pull on their walking shoes to celebrate active living and active transportation. About 1000 residents are expected to walk or ride from Cleveland Elementary School to the main festival site in the Edgemont Village Centre where they will find over 25 exhibits and activities waiting for them.

What’s more, each local school will be hosting an interactive exhibit showcasing their work to date to create “safe and active routes to school.” Cleveland, Canyon Heights, Montroyal, and Highland Elementary Schools will each have the opportunity to showcase the “safe and active routes to school” projects that they already have underway.

The Edgemont Village Roll and Stroll Festival is being produced by the Heart and Stroke Foundation in partnership with TravelSmart, Vancouver Coastal Health, and the Edgemont Village Merchant’s Association.

For more information or to register for this free community festival visit www.rollandstroll.ca

On October 25th-27th, the Accent Inns in Burnaby will be hosting 50 cycling advocates from around BC for the BC Cycling Coalition’s second Annual Conference.

The Annual Conference provides a regular structured opportunity to develop the capacity of organized cycling advocacy in BC and was born out of a desire to bring together diverse players from around the

province who were interested in the promotion of cycling.

It is about “learning,” but is also about “doing;” delegates from more than 13 organizations will share best practices, undertake educational opportunities and build provincial cycling capacity by participating in policy dialogues.

“This conference will increase the ability of advocates and professionals

to work successfully with other agencies when planning infrastructure and delivering programs,” says Fiona Walsh, 2013 Conference Chair, “We are very proud of the way we have been able to grow this year’s conference, and we are humbled by the opportunity to bring together BC’s leading cycling advocates and professionals.”

On the afternoon of Sunday

the 27th the BCCC will be holding its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM). All BCCC members and the general public are invited to attend at no cost.

For more information on the AGM or to register for the Conference visit: http://bccc.bc.ca/agm13

cycling Advocates to converge on burnaby

David HayBike Injury Lawyer604.661.9250Dhay@rbs.ca

3 VANCOUVER LOCATIONS

East Van ~ 41st @ Knight South Granville ~ 2658 GranvilleDunbar ~ 4474 Dunbar

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Kingsway @ Imperial5665 Kingsway

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Uptown ~ 525 7th St

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Past issues of Wecycle can be

found here:

http://bccc.bc.ca/wecycle

George Forshaw

Continuing our summer tradition of cycling a section of the former Kettle Valley Railway, we packed our panniers and tent and ventured forth from the steam-train parking lot in Summerland on a warm Okanagan summer day. The lack of signage on this section, similarly to other KVR sections we have cycled, and the difficult trail conditions at times, were far outweighed by the beautiful rivers and lakes of this area. While the route is in need of much trail maintenance before it can be classed as a “cycling” route we look back to Osprey & Otter Lakes and the Tulameen River as the highlights of our adventure.

It was a beautiful start as we climbed alongside a creek on a hard packed

surface; hard packed that is until we approached the area once known as Kirton. Here the trail becomes very soft and difficult to negotiate. We though that this was due to too many ATVs, of which we encountered quite a few, however locals on several occasions pointed out to us that the “Trans Canada Trail people” in attempt to restore the trail have top dressed it with sand and river rock. Obviously the wrong solution from a cyclist point of view!

We soldiered on to our first night camping spot at Osprey Lake; a lakeside site in a BC Recreational campsite was a perfect end to a difficult afternoon. Insert photo Osprey

Day two, sunny and warm, and the trail conditions became even worse than those we had encountered the day

previous. Insert photo sandy trail After managing 15km of cycling and walking over a period of 3 hours, we opted to bail out to the pavement of Highway 40. From Erris to the intersection where the KVR crosses the highway, we rode the asphalt. Here, near the former site of Jura, we jumped back on the railway bed for the downhill cruise to our day’s destination of Princeton. While the trail bed was an improvement over the morning conditions, the air temperate was approaching 40C as we wound our way through the large ranch lands above Princeton. Insert photo trail Oh how that cold beer tasted marvelous upon arrival.

Day three began with a lovely trail along the Tulameen River. Insert photo Tulameen River Following stops in the old mining towns of

Coalmont and Tulameen we arrived at Otter Lake, what a gem!! Here we stopped for lunch and a swim in the warm waters alongside the trail; we quickly had forgotten the hardships of the day before. Insert photo Otter Lake However, just as quickly, we would forget the beauty of Otter Lake as we encountered the poker

cycling the KVr Summerland to merritt – the Princeton Subdivision

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continued at top of next page

uninsured motorists the Bane of cyclists everywhere

David Hay

Many motorists choose to carry the minimum liability insurance coverage. This is to save money, though the difference between minimum and maximum Third Party Liability coverage is often less than $100.00 annually. In British Columbia the minimum liability coverage is $200,000.00. However, in some jurisdictions in the United States, for example California, a driver can insure a car with a policy that provides only $15,000.00 for compensation for each person the driver injures.

As a cyclist, staying away from underinsured motorists on the road is a crap shoot. Fortunately, in British Columbia anyone with a drivers license, owner’s certificate for a vehicle, or anyone living in a household of such a person, is entitled to $1 million in underinsured motorist protection (“UMP”). However, UMP is considered a fund of last resort and only available to injured cyclists if they have exhausted private insurance, CPP

benefits, EI benefits and any other source of deductible funding.

The provision of mandatory UMP benefits to BC motorists discriminates against cyclists who do not have a drivers license, insure a car, or live in a household of someone who does. For cyclists to be treated equally mandatory benefits ought to be provided to all users of the roadway who are injured at the hands of negligent motorists. This is not the present scheme.

The unfairness is not abstract. If you are unlucky enough to be injured at the hands of a negligent motorist who also happens to be underinsured, and you do not meet one of the preconditions for mandatory UMP coverage, you may find yourself facing a situation where your damages far exceed the driver’s insurance coverage. Unless the driver has assets, the present scheme results in no recovery of losses, including significant future income loss and care costs.

It seems we have no social standard of what is adequate insurance

protection. However, it does not follow that motorists and their insurers ought to escape responsibility for the arrangement of adequate coverage and at the same time create car oriented pre-conditions to protection against underinsurance. Rather than a scheme which insists on motorist oriented preconditions, simple residency in the jurisdiction ought to suffice. It must be remembered that it is not always a coincidence that drivers with inadequate coverage tend to be the most careless drivers driving the most unreliable and unsafe cars.

Many jurisdictions in the United States including California, Oregon and New York, allow drivers to carry even less coverage than in British Columbia. The social acquiescence in inadequate insurance coverage perpetuates the myth that driving is a fundamental right versus a luxury. The establishment of better minimum limits and the removal of impediments to UMP protection would represent two very civilized steps forward towards a better and

more cycling oriented world.David Hay is a litigation lawyer

and partner at Richards Buell Sutton LLP. He has a special interest in bike injury law and can be contacted at 604.661.9250 or dhay@rbs.ca

For more:http://bccc.bc.ca/?p=408

straight, as far as the eye could see, rolling trail through farmlands towards Brookmere. A beautifully restored water tower in Brookmere signaled the start of the narrow and poorly maintained downhill section towards the former site of Brodie. This area, just below Larson Hill on Highway 5, with its mesmerizing traffic sounds, would be the site of our last night on the trail.

Day four, following the Coldwater River over some nice trail surface as well as some unmaintained sections we quickly arrived at a major, impassable washout and the Coldwater Indian Reserve where we were forced on to the pavement of Coldwater Road. This would be our approach and our

final miles into the busy little town of Merritt.

If you are interested in travelling the Kettle Valley Railway you should get a copy of Dan Langford’s book, Cycling The Kettle Valley Railway containing maps and descriptions of each section of the abandoned rail bed or check out his website at: http://www.kettlevalleyrailway.ca/ (QR #1) George and his wife Gail are members of the Kelowna Area Cycling Coalition: http://www.kelownacycling.org/ (QR #2)

George Forshaw(QR #1) (QR #2)

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