Teaching Kids Safe Cycling
Teaching safe cycling is essential. For Bike to School Week, we’re sharing a few key riding skills your child should know before heading out on their bike.
➡ Emergency Stop: One of the most critical skills is making an emergency stop. Have your child practice applying their brakes suddenly to understand the force needed to bring their bike to a quick halt.
➡ Signaling: Signaling can be challenging for younger kids because it requires taking one hand off the handlebars while riding. Although they may not need this skill immediately if they ride on sidewalks and cross at pedestrian crossings, it’s beneficial to start practicing early. Demonstrate signaling while you ride together.
➡ Traffic Lights & Stop Signs: Teach your child the importance of stopping completely at stop signs and putting a foot on the ground for balance while checking for pedestrians and vehicles. Explain that green means go, red and yellow mean stop, the walking person icon signals it’s safe to walk, and the red hand means to wait.
➡ Where to Ride on the Road: If your route to school has sidewalks, they’re usually the safest place for your child to ride. Remind your child to be courteous to other sidewalk users: slow down, ring the bell when passing, and give extra space to people using mobility devices or walking pets. If there are no sidewalks, teach them to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, keeping about a meter of space from the road's edge to navigate around obstacles safely.
When Kids Ride Bikes Together, Something Incredible Happens!
A recent study by Loma Linda University researchers, explored the impact of in-school cycling programs like Riding for Focus on the mental health of middle schoolers. The study revealed that cycling education positively impacts psychosocial well-being and highlighted the role of other factors in shaping students' mental health outcomes. Conducted in 2021 with over 1,200 middle schoolers aged 11 to 14, the research assessed changes in mental well-being before and after participating in the Riding for Focus program. According to the study, participation in the program was associated with improved psychosocial well-being among middle schoolers in the U.S.
Canada Day Pop-Up Protected Bike Lanes
Last year, in partnership with the City of Sarnia and the Bluewater Trails Committee, nuSarnia created two cycling paths to connect Sarnia residents to the Canada Day festivities in Canatara Park.
nuSarnia is thrilled to announce that the City of Sarnia will be installing protected bike lanes again this year!
Feedback from last year was overwhelmingly positive:
86% of participants felt safer riding in the protected bike lanes.
76% said they would ride their bikes more if permanent protected bike lanes were available.
90% expressed a desire for similar cycling initiatives for future community events.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on the trails in 2024!
“This was such a game changer! We live in Wiltshire and we’re able to safely attend the parade with our two children. Thank you so much for doing this and please keep up the good work. Would love move permanent protected lanes as it is very unsafe to bike in Sarnia otherwise. ”
“Bike parking was wonderful and well organized, I felt safe leaving my bike there. Have used it in the past and it helped making the decision to bike down. ”
The Potential of Pop-Ups
Pop-up bike lanes, a relatively new concept, have been underutilized in North America despite their success in many European cities. These temporary trials have shown significant increases in cycling traffic and can dramatically accelerate the pace of bike lane rollouts.
As cities across the country take note of the powerful potential of pop-up bike lanes to expedite the typically lengthy process of building support and implementing infrastructure, there's a valuable learning opportunity. Traffic cones used to demarcate temporary lanes might discourage bikers, perceiving them as construction zones. Solutions include adding small potted plants between cones or using cones of different shapes or colors. Additionally, using chalk paint for temporary markings is crucial to avoid contention with the city.
While pop-ups can't address every concern, they offer a chance for residents to trial a change and make informed decisions about the project's impact. Public opinion is a key element in infrastructure implementation, and pop-ups provide real-time insights into traffic patterns, safety concerns, and citizen engagement. Different cities may adopt various types of pop-up projects. Some may last for a weekend, others may stay for a few months to gauge their popularity before making them permanent.
Through pop-ups, cities can cut through red tape and swiftly build the much-needed bridges—creating safer, more bike-friendly urban landscapes.
Bike Lanes Are Good For Business
Did you know, bike lanes are good for business?
While businesses may initially cringe at the thought of losing parking spaces to bike lanes, the long-term benefits are undeniable. Beyond reducing pollution, slowing climate change, and enhancing overall city well-being, bike-friendly streets have a positive impact on commerce. Extensive research spanning four decades consistently demonstrates that streets catering to bikes and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks contribute to increased business prosperity.
Despite concerns about reduced accessibility, studies reveal a common misconception among business owners. They often overestimate the number of customers who rely on cars, overlooking the significant percentage of pedestrians and cyclists. In a 2012 study focusing on a Los Angeles shopping corridor with bike lanes, more than half of the store owners believed most customers drove, when in reality, only 15% did.
Tips For Commuting By Bike
Considering the commuter life? Here are some pro tips for a smooth ride, brought to you by Andrew from Great Lakes Bicycle Company🚴♀️
1️⃣ Keep it Simple & Comfortable: A commuter bike doesn't need all the bells and whistles. Make sure it's in good shape—visit a shop for a check-up (we recommend @greatlakesbicycleco)—and enjoy an easier ride!
2️⃣ Pack Smart: Whether it's a backpack or pannier, choose a comfortable option for your daily essentials. Invest in a quality, waterproof bag that can handle your workload and keep your gear dry.
3️⃣ Dress the Part: Weather-appropriate gear is key! From rain jackets to warm layers, ensure you're prepared for any conditions. Don't forget good, non-slip shoes for a safe ride.
4️⃣ Secure Parking: Guard your wheels! In a city prone to theft, find a safe spot to store your bike—be it inside, in your office, or a secure storage room. A reliable lock is a must.
On A Personal Note: Commuting on two wheels has been a game-changer for Andrew. It keeps him active, allows errands on the go, and surprisingly, it’s not much longer than driving! Electric assist helps him arrive fresh, even after a long day.
Advantages of Building Protected Bike Lanes
Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot.
Protected bike lanes, backed by compelling evidence, stand out as a strategic measure to heighten safety and encourage greater bicycle usage. Functioning as a distinct, separated pathway or trail within existing city streets, these lanes physically distance cyclists from both vehicular traffic and pedestrian walkways. This separation not only bolsters security for cyclists but also renders bicycling a more inviting and comfortable option for a diverse demographic.
Studies reveal that incorporating bike infrastructure, especially those featuring physical barriers segregating cyclists from fast-moving cars, has significantly reduced fatalities in cities that adopted such measures.
Here are the key advantages:
Enhances the safety and comfort of cyclists while eliminating the fear of being rear-ended.
Mitigates the risk of "dooring" incidents and eliminates the potential for a doored cyclist to be struck by cars.
Augments pedestrian safety and comfort by redirecting car traffic away from sidewalks.
Proves cost-effective, particularly when utilizing existing pavement and drainage, and leveraging car parking spaces as protective barriers.
Facilitates safer, more comfortable bicycling for individuals of all ages and abilities, particularly those hesitant to navigate mixed traffic.
Allows for the integration of bike infrastructure onto pre-existing streets that cannot be expanded.
Emerges as a viable solution for "bike highways" or arterial bike routes, connecting different areas of the city over long distances.
Plays a pivotal role in "road diets" by slowing down cars, thereby enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
Reduces the distance pedestrians must traverse when crossing streets, contributing to a safer urban environment.
Trips For Bike In The Winter Months
Navigating winter on your bike might seem intimidating, especially if you're not a seasoned cyclist. 🚴♂️❄️ Our friends at Great Lakes Bicycle Co have crafted the ultimate guide for winter bike commuting! Check out these tips:
Dress to Impress (the COLD): Bundle yourself in breathable, warm, and waterproof layers - envision wool, baselayers, reliable gloves, and waterproof plants!
Be Smart: When the elements rage, think twice. Stick to the trails, skip the road during snowstorms - it’s the Wild West our there, and visibility is key!
Guard Your Extremities: Keep fingers and toes snug; a freezing ride is no one’s idea of fun.
Lights: Winter means early sunsets. Invest in quality lights for the from and rear of your bike.
Invest in Fenders: If your bike doesn’t already have fenders, it’s a good investment. They will keep you dry. Dry equals warmth, and let’s face it, arriving at work looking like a drowned rat isn’t ideal.
Bike TLC: Snow might not frequent our paths often, but when it does, the road salt onslaught is real. Give your bike some love - even a quick rinse beats nothing. Your local bike shop is your ally in mastering the art of bike pampering. Seek their wisdom before diving into a cleaning frenzy.
Ready to conquer winter like a pro?