CAN-BIKE
News
May 1,
2007
Cycling
for all – A series of 10 CAN-BIKE cycling tips is launched
May 1,
2007 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA)
is pleased to launch a series of ten cycling tips aiming at promoting
the CAN-BIKE program across Canada at the beginning the 2007 cycling
season.
CAN-BIKE TIP
#1
Lane
position on any urban street. Practically speaking…
Highway
Traffic Acts across Canada tell cyclists to ride as far to the right
as is practical. Those words are hard to interpret by the road using
public. Some motorists feel cyclists should not be in the line of
traffic and some cyclists interpret the law as meaning to ride on
the sidewalk – but sidewalk cycling is illegal in most parts
of Canada.
What
it should mean is to ride far enough out from the curb that you
can maintain a straight line and avoid debris, potholes and service
covers. Drivers must leave a safety cushion space between their
car and the cyclist so there is no chance of collision. This safety
cushion is for the cyclist to manoeuvre in while cycling through
traffic.
Cyclists
are part of traffic and have all the rights and responsibilities
that motorists have. Cyclists need room to manoeuvre in traffic
and motorists need to provide that room by not crowding cyclists
and compromising their safety. When motorists and cyclists are considerate
of the space each type of user requires on the roadway, conflict
is reduced and everyone is much safer.
ABOUT CAN-BIKE
The CAN-BIKE
safe cycling skills program is the standard for bicycle education
across Canada. CAN-BIKE Courses teach riding skills, traffic analysis
skills, and collision avoidance techniques. They also provide the
basics on safe equipment, and a basic bike inspection. Regardless
of your experience, CAN-BIKE will make your cycling more effective,
and give you a greater sense of confidence and control in traffic.
Visit http://www.canbike.net/cca_pages/
With
generous support of Transport Canada’s Moving on Sustainable
Transportation program.
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