Halifax Active Transportation

[Dmajackson]

Two things to post right now. I'd like to thank the province for the new bike laws and their extensive promotion of the one metre rule coming into effect June 1st!

and ...

IT'S BIKE WEEK!!!

Schedule of Events

I hope to get to a few events this week but please note the Bike Rodeo for Saturday, June 4th. That is the event I've been helping to organize since January so please come out and support our community.

BTW I think Keith P should find a bicycle and head out to some of the events this week. It just might make him see our side of the argument.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

Two things to post right now. I'd like to thank the province for the new bike laws and their extensive promotion of the one metre rule coming into effect June 1st!

Totally unnecessary and useless legislation. Next thing you know, our nanny NDP govt will be mandating "Baby on Board" signs in the back windows of cars and requiring all pedestrians to wear helmets.

BTW I think Keith P should find a bicycle and head out to some of the events this week. It just might make him see our side of the argument.

No, but I might get into the biggest 4x4 I can find and scare a few into the ditch.

[coolmillion]

Dma - congrats on the Bike Week efforts!

Keith, I know you're kidding but I am deeply offended by your comment and perceive it as threatening. I have twice been the victim of harassment while riding a bike in Halifax. The first time while riding my bike up Purcell's Cove Rd. a passenger in a passing car reached their arm out and attempted push me off my bike. Luckily I was traveling uphill fairly slowly and they just brushed me. Obviously this was illegal and could have injured me seriously had I been pushed off balance "into the ditch." An approaching car reported the incident to the police. The second time was a few days ago on Barrington Street when I heard a homophobic slur called out at me as I passed. When I caught up with car at a red light and asked what they had called out they threatened me with violence. Both of these events indicate a deep-seeded animosity towards cyclists that is troubling. I doubt you will sympathize with me but I hope you can keep threatening comments off this thread.

[DigitalNinja]

Lol Keith.

I too agree that this law is a bit unnecessary. Halifax is starting to get like San Diego, soon it will be illegal to pass a bicycle, use plastic bags, drive a car near a school, only drive hybrid cars... And more.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by coolmillion

Dma - congrats on the Bike Week efforts!

Keith, I know you're kidding but I am deeply offended by your comment and perceive it as threatening..

Those were in no way threatening comments on my part. I think you know that.

The fact is that cyclists and motor vehicles cannot easily share our narrow, winding roads. The motorist will always be seen as a threat by the cyclist and no manner of legislation will change that. Obviously what happened to you had little to do with being a cyclist and everything to do with encountering a couple of different groups of local LeRoys who could just as easily done something similar to a pedestrian or a motorcyclist. Yahoos are yahoos.

[halifaxboyns]

I have to agree with Keith - there is a certain level of shall I say sarcasm to his comment - it's pretty easy to pick out when it's there. While we may all be passionate about one thing or another; I'm sure it wasn't meant to be offensive or rude.

I certainly didn't read it that way...

[spaustin]

Oops. Useless post. Cycle on.

[coolmillion]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I have to agree with Keith - there is a certain level of shall I say sarcasm to his comment - it's pretty easy to pick out when it's there.

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Those were in no way threatening comments on my part. I think you know that.

The fact is that cyclists and motor vehicles cannot easily share our narrow, winding roads. The motorist will always be seen as a threat by the cyclist and no manner of legislation will change that. Obviously what happened to you had little to do with being a cyclist and everything to do with encountering a couple of different groups of local LeRoys who could just as easily done something similar to a pedestrian or a motorcyclist. Yahoos are yahoos.

Not to belabour the point but jokes and sarcasm can be interpreted as threatening and offensive. Language can have consequences quite different than its user's intentions.

In my experience as a pedestrian, cyclist and driver it is quite clear to me that I am vulnerable as a cyclist in ways that I am not while using other modes. This is something that people who don't cycle on roads will not understand. The perspective is vastly different from behind the wheel of a car where you have metal, glass and speed acting as a buffer against the outside world. Even pedestrians have various forms of infrastructure to protect them. Bill 93 (which isn't just the one meter rule...) will admittedly be difficult to enforce but may make sharing road space less ambiguous for all.

BTW - the "LeRoys" were driving a VW Passat and targeted me on my bike, not the pedestrians on the sidewalk.

[Dmajackson]

Some photos of the Bike Week launch event Friday night at the Seaport Farmer's Market (all photos taken by me);

[Keith P.]

Are they going to lobby the govt for laws in favor of unicyclists next?

[fenwick16]

I like the pictures of the Farmers Market - is it rented out for such events?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I like the pictures of the Farmers Market - is it rented out for such events?

Maybe they just barged in and took over the way Critical Mass does.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Maybe they just barged in and took over the way Critical Mass does.

Haha not quite.

This was arranged well in advanced with the Farmers Market Association. The group agreed to give up some retail space in exchange for hundreds of hungry customers. Before congregating here many rode from Point Pleasant Park (family ride) or in the Critical Mass Ride from somewheres downtown. For me personally I went it alone from Highfield Terminal.

Many retailers stayed open later to serve the crowd and it being International Day the food diversity was great (never thought pirogies would go good with a Caribbean shake). The focus was on the Peninsula, as per normal, but they did showcase initiatives in Downtown Dartmouth. The new bike rack design to be installed along the Halifax Waterfront was unveiled ('The Wave') and I think one was also mentioned for Alderney Ferry Terminal.

BTW in the photos above you can see Andy Fillmore (HRM by Design expert) taking part in the tricycle races. And in THIS VIDEO you can see Hanita Koblents who is HRM's unrivalled bicycle expert reacting to the race.

[Jstaleness]

These posts have been very entertaining to read. I too read the comments as sarcastic. I also agree that there are still issues between cars and bikes in Halifax. The narrow streets of Halifax do not make this any easier. Barrington St. is terrible from one end to the other.

[beyeas]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinio...g-out-the-worst-in-drivers-16002514.html

[Dmajackson]

Grand Opening - Chain of Lakes Trail (COLTA)

(Wednesday, June 15) - The public is invited to attend the official ribbon cutting for the Chain of Lakes Trail. Afterwards there will be a BBQ, music and fun for the whole family. Over 50% of the 7.25 km trail is paved so everyone is encouraged to check it out: walk; run; bike; roller blade; or skateboard it. There will even be chalk to decorate it!

When: Saturday June 18, 2011 from 11 am - 1 pm
Where: Corner of Brook Street and Crown Drive (Fairmount - park at Springvale School and Fairmount Streets - please refrain from parking on Crown Drive, which is quite narrow).

For more information visit www.halifax.ca/trails

---

I was hoping to attend this grand opening but because of priorities in my volunteer life I am now planning to attend a clean-up in Sackville.

I encourage some residents of the Peninsula to attend and post photos of the event here. This is the busiest trail in HRM with over 1'000 users a day in the summer (as of last year while it was still being built).

[someone123]

Originally Posted by beyeas

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinio...g-out-the-worst-in-drivers-16002514.html

Cycling is unfortunately part of the "culture war", so it's often viewed as more of a political statement than a routine activity.

[Nouvellecosse]

I wonder if Halifax could support a small bike-sharing system like bixi. I used that in Montreal and found it quite enjoyable.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I wonder if Halifax could support a small bike-sharing system like bixi. I used that in Montreal and found it quite enjoyable.

I just read the other day that somebody is starting up a personal bike sharing business. Here is the link to the story:

New firm offers more than a set of wheels

By BILL POWER Business Reporter
Sat, Jun 18 - 4:55 AM

SARAH CRAIG isn’t just getting into the bicycle-rental business, she’s also getting into the business of sharing the Halifax cycling experience.

Craig’s company, I Heart Bikes Inc., will be launched July 1 at a kiosk on the waterfront in the Bishop’s Landing area, but she said Friday that the private enterprise has a social mission — to test and develop the city’s first bike-sharing system.

"Eventually this will be a network that will operate year-round and link to car sharing and public transit and other initiatives," she said.

article continued here: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1249190.html

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I wonder if Halifax could support a small bike-sharing system like bixi. I used that in Montreal and found it quite enjoyable.

Yeah I have been in Montreal a lot lately, and was wondering the same thing (although of course Montreal is really just trying to copy Paris LOL).

It is a cool idea, although Halifax's geography doesn't lend itself as well to this, given that many within-downtown trips are made by going up and down the hill, which might mean many people would rather walk than bike. Still... cool idea.

The QEII has a program like that internally. There are bikes at the summer street entrance of the infirmary for example, and you can basically just sign one out using your CDHA badge.