Cycling Thread 2

[Fuzz]

The Ontario government says it will introduce legislation that would require municipalities to get provincial approval before building any new bike lanes that reduce lanes of vehicle traffic.


Municipalities would need to demonstrate any proposed bike lanes will not have a "negative impact in vehicle traffic," according to the province.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...352228?cmp=rss


Cool, I suppose Danielle Smtih will be bringing this to Alberta soon, since she ####ing despises the cities, and that's where bike lanes are going in. Must exert control...

[Fuzz]

And this is pretty great, considering the people defending parking in bike lanes. I'm sure if a bike did this it'd be smooshed in 3 seconds.

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...352228?cmp=rss


Cool, I suppose Danielle Smtih will be bringing this to Alberta soon, since she ####ing despises the cities, and that's where bike lanes are going in. Must exert control...

This is codifying regressive practices. It's crazy.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

This is codifying regressive practices. It's crazy.

It's what happens when you put ideologues in power. They don't care for facts, or reason. it's their way and the highway.

[Flames0910]

Was walking downtown the other day and will never understand why the northern end of the 5th street cycle track ends two blocks before the river. Two of the city's busiest pieces of bike infrastructure and they couldn't be bothered to connect them. Travelling from the river pathway, there isn't even a yield sign where bikes come off the pathway and onto the roadway.

And I can't imagine the issue was parking because there are surface lots on both sides of the road! It makes no sense!

It would be like deerfoot just randomly dumped you onto a gravel road between here and airdrie, then rejoined paved highway the rest of the way to edmonton.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

Was walking downtown the other day and will never understand why the northern end of the 5th street cycle track ends two blocks before the river. Two of the city's busiest pieces of bike infrastructure and they couldn't be bothered to connect them. Travelling from the river pathway, there isn't even a yield sign where bikes come off the pathway and onto the roadway.

And I can't imagine the issue was parking because there are surface lots on both sides of the road! It makes no sense!

It would be like deerfoot just randomly dumped you onto a gravel road between here and airdrie, then rejoined paved highway the rest of the way to edmonton.

If memory serves it may have been because the owner of those parking lots had some big plans for a whole bunch of residential towers, and that section of 5th street was going to be given a big wheeling/pedestrian improvement.

Obviously those plans haven't materialized, so slapping down some lanes should be low hanging fruit.

[Flames0910]

ah that makes sense. classic move from the city to wait for perfection instead of a real practical change that could have impacts right away.

kind of like the barley belt cycle tracks which haven't materialized because the local councillor was waiting for the green line (oops!)

there's actually a big land use change sign up on one of the lots right now so maybe they will be part of the new designs but not holding my breath.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

ah that makes sense. classic move from the city to wait for perfection instead of a real practical change that could have impacts right away.

kind of like the barley belt cycle tracks which haven't materialized because the local councillor was waiting for the green line (oops!)

there's actually a big land use change sign up on one of the lots right now so maybe they will be part of the new designs but not holding my breath.

Hey, I just found the thread for it on skyrisecities!

https://skyrisecities.com/forum/thre...al-norr.24494/

[Bigtime]

Last night, just before 8 o'clock, I'm walking along 16th avenue north 2 blocks west of centre street and I see someone in one of those small electric bikes riding westbound completely dark and no lights. May the odds be ever in their favour...yikes.

[habernac]

A third of those things I saw in Vancouver on the weekend doing Door Dash deliveries were ninja. High speed, zero lights.

[marsplasticeraser]

Does anybody know a bike mechanic that does house calls and do work on site?

Project is I need to calibrate my new wahoo to my bike. I know this should be simple, and i tried to do it myself, but I can't get it done.

I am near southcentre.

[Deegee]

https://www.velofix.com/locations/calgary/

Not sure they'd be cheap or anything. My buddy uses another guy, but he doesn't do anything after September.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by marsplasticeraser

Does anybody know a bike mechanic that does house calls and do work on site?

Project is I need to calibrate my new wahoo to my bike. I know this should be simple, and i tried to do it myself, but I can't get it done.

I am near southcentre.

What wahoo product? If it’s a computer it doesn’t need to be calibrated to your bike, it’s a stand alone gps unit

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

What wahoo product? If it’s a computer it doesn’t need to be calibrated to your bike, it’s a stand alone gps unit

Probably a smart trainer, like the Kickr Core or the Kickr Snap.

[annasuave]

Nm

[annasuave]

Up until this fall I've only ever been a fair weather cyclist. Lately I've been commuting by bike and with morning temperatures hovering around -3, my fingers are painfully cold and the cold wind in my face makes me a weepy, red-eyed mess by the time I get to work.

I've got head and tail lights, reflectors, and I'm wearing blinky lights - but it remains that not every driver is paying as much attention as would like. I'd like to incorporate some kind of signaling device....something that says "HEY! I'M BIKING HERE!!" preferably loud enough to be heard over a car stereo, or bright enough to give drivers the impression that an alien abduction is imminent.

Can the CP hive-mind suggest me some gear to make my morning commute safer and more comfy?

[Fuzz]

I use a helmet mounted light. Find something that works, and then you can just look at the vehicle's driver, and they'll instantly be aware you exist. It works really well. I pre-emtivly look at alleys as I bike by if I see some headlight action so they don't come at me before they can even see. Plus you can use it on pedestrians(look a bit past them so they have distant warning) and bunnies.



Definitely upgrade the gloves and get a buff for your face.

[Bigtime]

Balaclava and clear lens glasses for the face, I just use basic safety glasses like the ones from Uline. Once below zero I put on my winter mitts, Swany toasters that have the gloves attached inside, but I find no problem shifting and gripping with them in mitt form.

Layers for clothing depending on the temps, just something you'll have to figure out for your comfort level, and you will usually find you end up overdressing because of the exertion of biking. I've yet to actually wear my winter jacket when commuting, even on the -34 days.

[ken0042]

On my winter bike I have one of these in the front spokes:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5052-8...-disc-o-select

That way you aren't just another white or red light among other lights in traffic. You have this green spinning disc in the shape of a bike tire.

[RichieRich]

Ski buff for the neck and face for sure, and a higher collar jacket. For some the mid and heavy weight balaclavas work ok but I've always struggled as they're too thick and don't breath well enough... except for up and into my glasses fogging them up. In the fall and bandana across the forehead sure helps too.

For body and legs... an outer wind-proof'ish layer works great, then layer underneath as needed. Arm and legwarmers make a massive difference. If you have not bought winter riding shoes (highly recommended btw) then you're looking at toe-warmers and overbooties, and do something else to break the windchill.

For hands... they seem to get the most wind. So 5-finger gloves don't work for heat retention. Go for the lobster mitts or real mitts, or thing gloves+pogies.

Lights... ask yourself... are your lights bright enough? aimed properly to be useful? If you're riding on the road then you need bigger and bolder - always have a strong one on your bars AND on your helmet so you can direct the light beam. For the rear light - don't put something puny or poorly placed. I see too many riders putting the RED rear light in a place that's obscured by racks, backpacks, jackets, etc... Similar to the front, two rear lights (one flashing) has worked best for me.

Now once you get onto the path... you don't need the eye-searing mega flash summoning-the-heavenly-host level of craziness. just don't. turn them down - both intensity and aim.

Reflectors... on your jacket, and backpack/pannier, maybe even a few spots or strips on your bike, and on your rims or spokes goes a long ways.