I've been bike commuting for years. I either ride from Cochrane or Valley Ridge, depending on time. A couple of things for myself. The off leash area at bowmont clearly states that dogs must be on-leash while on the pathway, however, 90% of the dogs aren't. It's like that all of the time. A buddy ended up killing a golden retriever that ran across the path in front of him. He ended up with a broken collarbone.
There is also the section along the river where we have split pathways. One for people on foot, the other for people on wheels, yet we have people on foot walking along, side by side where the bikers are.
In these cases by-law needs to step in to educate people, but I've yet to see anyone doing that.
In regards to riding on city streets, I've learned the hard way that you should be a vehicle. I was riding on the shoulder and a lady in her escalade didn't turn her signal on, but did turn, right in front of me. I put a huge dent in her door, and ripped her mirror off with my shoulder. Now, I take up the lane, I stop at lights, wait my turn, etc. I seem to get way more respect from drivers that way. I'm not any slower, except from the start, and I seem to flow just as easily as the traffic. It does take longer to get to work, because I don't cut across crosswalks or run red lights, but at least I'm in one piece.
Also, designated bike lanes should be just that. Not parking for cars. It kinda makes them useless when you have to ride on the car lane because the bike lane is full of cars. There are quite a few lanes like this in Calgary.
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