Cycling in Canadian cities: a study in contrasts

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Posted by Duncan 3 years ago. There are 2 posts. The latest reply is from toddtyrtle.

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Duncan
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Posted 3 years ago #
Here's a brief introduction to cycling conditions in cities across Canada. Well, in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver at least...
1. Cycling in Canadian cities: a study in contrasts
  
  Updated Sun. Sep. 6 2009 9:10 AM ET
  
  CTV.ca News Staff
  
  For forward-looking Canadian cities, cycling is fast becoming a big deal.
  
  Cycling is a sustainable transportation option, it builds exercise into excursions and it's a very affordable way to travel.
  
  But it's also a form of transportation that requires sharing the road with another form of transportation -- the much heavier and less forgiving automobile, a colleague of the road that cyclists must stay wary of order to stay safe.
  
  A number of Canada's major cities have seen at least one serious or fatal incident this summer involving a cyclist and a vehicle on the road...
  
  Read the rest here
Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!
toddtyrtle
Moderator
Posted 3 years ago #

I keep saying it and hopefully somehow we figure out a way to address this but it isn't just about infrastructure. Driver attitudes are equally important. I've cycled in and around Quebec City, Toronto and its suburbs, and the suburbs of Vancouver and driver attitudes were the worst here.

The more I think about it, the more I think that *this* is what we need to figure out how to address - for lack of a better word: "cyclist PR". More sympathetic drivers means more courteous drivers and less resistance to infrastructure.

Right or wrong there's a perception among drivers I've met that I, as a person who rides safely and obeys the laws (OK, truth be told as I've said before - coming to a slower-than walking but not fully stopped stop at residential 4-way stops) is an exception and not the rule while a driver committing an act of road rage, or cutting them off is an idiot while most drivers obey all laws. I know, I know, I keep beating same drum. I figure I'll just keep chewing on the problem and maybe one of these days a helpful idea will come of it.