This is where the rubber hits the road.
Monday, May 25 marks the start of the Sunshine Coast’s fifth annual Bike to Work and School Week, and organizers are hoping to have more than 600 cyclists participating this year, matching the record numbers achieved in 2013. As of Wednesday, about one-third of that number had signed up, and coordinator Martin Prestage notes that rate is promising, since “quite often teams don’t register until they’re actually riding.”
Not every community includes students in Bike to Work Week activities, but Prestage says local organizers felt it was important — even essential — to include students, “since they’re the future.”
As the big week approaches, ICBC is warning drivers to be extra vigilant. Every year in B.C., from June to September, an average of 670 cyclists are injured and six are killed in car crashes. The top contributing factors for drivers involved in crashes with cyclists are distracted driving and failing to yield the right-of-way.
ICBC urges drivers to actively watch for cyclists, making eye contact whenever possible to let them know you’ve seen them. Shoulder check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left. Shoulder check for cyclists coming from behind before you or a passenger open a vehicle door. Before crossing a bike lane, signal well in advance and yield to cyclists. And scan for cyclists before entering the roadway from a lane or parking lot.
Sharing the road is a two-way street, and cyclists can do their part to prevent accidents by being vigilant as well. Keep a watchful eye out for hazards like potholes and for vehicles entering the roadway from lanes or parking lots. Shoulder check well in advance before turning, hand signal, and then with both hands on the handlebars, shoulder check again before turning. Ride at least one metre away from parked vehicles and exercise caution if the vehicle has an occupant. Remember: it’s illegal to cycle on most sidewalks and in crosswalks, and can be dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists themselves when they enter the roadway. For riding at dusk, dawn or at night, ensure your bike is equipped with a white headlight visible at 150 metres and a rear red light and reflector visible at 100 metres.
Bike to Work and School Week is almost upon us and it’s gearing up to be a great ride. Let’s not add any numbers to this year’s ICBC statistics.
