Ian Baird Staff reporter
Neighboring roads are a wiring system for adults, students, and parents to get from point A to point B, including from their home to school. Commuting requires some sort of transportation. Riding a bike is healthy for everyone and the environment and it’s fun, but a conflict between motorists and cyclists is a leading cause of safety concerns for cyclists.
Gleneagle Secondary School has 1400 students and yet there are only 12-16 bikes in the school’s bike storage stalls. Why is that? Digging deeper into why there aren’t many bikes at school, students shared reasons why they don’t ride a bike. A lot of students said they had bikes when they were little. Most have a bike that they only use during summer at a bike park or mountain biking, but don’t use it to ride to school. Then there are the students who cycle year-round.
If people have bikes, can’t they use it to ride to school? Well, it’s because most students said it ruins clothing, especially wearing white shoes, sweatpants and bright hoodies. What they can do is wear rain gear and change into casual clothing at school. Gleneagle is situated at the base of a hill, which is difficult to ride up every day. Most of all they don’t feel safe. “Dude its ten tons of steel against a 35-pound aluminum bike”- Santiago grade 10
According to ICBC cyclists are vulnerable to significant hazards because drivers are either distracted or don’t yield properly.
Francois Baird, a parent who cycles to work, shared some experiences with me. “Twice cars wrongfully turned in front of me, the first time, I just fell. The other time I fell and went over the hood. Another time a vehicle stopped in front of me illegally, and I crashed through the rear window and went to the hospital”
Fin Wakeling Grade 12 who has been riding since kindergarten added his own experiences while cycling to school, “yes, it was on a one-way road and this car cut me off and I almost ran into him, it happened around five months ago, I would do nothing and leave if I encountered an angry driver. I think it is beneficial for the environment, and most people can enjoy it, probably”
What can drivers do to make the roads safer? If you park on the side of the road, make sure to check your rear-view mirror to see if any bikers are passing by before opening your door. Drivers could also give space for cyclists when passing them (at least one meter). You are in a big moving tin can and they are exposed to elements like your car door. Avoid making risky maneuvers when nearing bikers. Stay focused.
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/08/26/19/41/penny-farthing-908965_1280.jpg
https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/drivers/bicycle-riders/index.html
https://www.vox.com/2014/9/19/6404829/vehicular-cycling-bike-lanes
https://www.icbc.com/road-safety/sharing/Pages/cycling-safety.aspx
https://www.maxpixel.net/static/photo/1x/Cycling-Biker-Bike-Exercise-Cyclist-Active-4773446.jpg
