recent bike-related events and news

Mike Abraham submits two items for your consideration: a recent op-ed piece about bikes, and a call to action to support safe cycling legislation.

A poignant op-ed piece in the Ottawa Citizen

click to read articleBeyond the greater message contained in this article, Mike appreciated this paragraph:

Watching a body on a bicycle is a beautiful thing and this alone should make car drivers slow down to appreciate what a miracle it is when human beings balance on two skinny wheels. But it is even more beautiful to be inside that body; paced by a heart, breathing oxygen that allows the body to move forward, spinning and intuitively understanding how to balance: a picture of symmetry.

support safe cycling legislation

Fellow cyclists, I hope you will join me in writing to your local MPP to support private members Bill 74 (sponsored by MPP Cheri Dinovo) which has been tabled for first reading in the Ontario Legislature.

The legislation would amend the Highway Traffic Act and require vehicles to keep at least three feet away when overtaking cyclists at speeds of less than 50 kilometres-and-hour. The minimum distance increases to four feet when the vehicle is travelling at 50 to 80 kilometres-an-hour. It increases to five feet when vehicles are going faster than 80 kilometres-an-hour. About 15 States and several American cities require drivers to keep at least three feet away from cyclists. France, Spain and Germany also have similar laws in place.

Specific details of the bill can be found here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=2364

All of us who are cyclists and cycle commuters are aware of the increasingly hazardous conditions of riding in Otario mororized traffic.... why the hazards are increasing is anyone's guess.....driver inattentian to the task at hand, indifference to the fact that other road users exist, distraction by myriad technological gadgets, outright contempt for non-motorized road traffic....???

Some additional information can be found here: http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/712968

To find out who your MPP is look here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

Peace out and ride safe!