In 2013 I rode from Peterborough ON through the Eastern Townships of Quebec and through New Brunswick following the old highway along the Maine border to Nova Scotia.
In NS I rode the Northumberland shore, the Eastern shore and part of the South shore to Lunenburg and back to Halifax where I packed up my recumbent cargo trike at the Via Rail station and took the train home.
The total distance cycled was 2800 kms
trikebum rides....
The continued adventures of trikebum. Transportation cycling, vehicular cycling, tricycle touring and camping. Go to: http://trikebum.webs.com/
Santa's Elf's Christmas Trike Sleigh
On Dec 6./08 I will enter my trike in the Peterborough Santa Claus Parade. This year the theme is Christmas sleighs so I've decided to turn my trike into a trike sleigh for the event, and I shall dress as one of Santa's elfs.
For the project I am using coroplast I have laying around including political signs. My environmental friends might cringe when they hear the word coroplast as it seems to have a bad name amongst greenies, as it is not always recyclable ( tho' the company begs to differ).
But it is reusable and it's light weight, durability and waterproofness makes it ideal for bike projects. It's also easy to cut and can be fastened using plastic cable ties. Holes can be punched with an awl.
Electric assist trike
This is a 2003 Lightfoot Cycles Courier, my personal transportation. This fall I installed a Heinzman Electric hub motor kit. It's a Mountain drive 500W motor w/36v NiCad battery pak.The beauty of the NiCad battery pak is it only takes 2 hrs tops to charge it.
This is a heavy bike to begin with. I would guess with tools, cargo box, fenders and fairing, It probably weighs about 80#. My average speed doing errands in town is about 8.5 mph.
With the electric assist my average increases to 10.5mph or there-a-bouts. On the level I can maintain speeds of15 mph easily which makes it very effective for traffic cycling. But it's a lot easier on me, and I don't think that is a good thing. This way I will not get in shape for out-of town touring which is my pleasure.
When touring I usually carry 65# of camping gear plus added water at 2# per litre. My average speed then is about 9.5 mph depending on terrain. The motor is ok used judiciously for about 20 miles, and when it runs out of juice, it's a lot harder to pedal than without. Consider that the weight of motor and battery is another 11 lbs and the electric motor hub does not freewheel as well as a regular bike wheel. There is a lot of resistance. So suffice it to say, it's only good for in town, but in town it's damn good.
Peterborough's worst intersection
It seems the police and city staff have known for quite a long time that Lansdowne and Monaghan is the most dangerous intersection in
Knowing then what the Examiner has now revealed to the public, why would city staff and city council agree to create a bike lane that directs new cyclists into this unsafe intersection? And if they had the opportunity, would they change their minds on this?
In a presentation to city council last November I questioned city staff’s proposal to create a bike lane on busy
Competent cyclists who practice and obey the rules of the road are not attracted to bike lanes. But to the young, the inexperienced and the timid are. Bike lanes give a perception of safety as they are designed and recommended by the city. Many parents tell their children to use the bike lane, but what happens when it ends? They are directed into busy intersections such as the above without the experience or knowledge to cycle safely with traffic. There are three schools on
City police say there were 34 collisions at this junction last year. How many cyclists will be hit this year? Recently a young father was seriously injured while riding through this intersection, and I can’t help wondering if he was attracted to it because of the bike lane.
Transportation manager Jim Kimble says, “The intersection is a perfect example of engineering as much safety as possible.” And, "From an engineering perspective there's not a lot the city could do to make it safer.” I disagree. I would suggest that through engineering, the city is making this intersection less safe, by knowingly directing novice cyclists into an already dicey situation.
Who's In The Wrong? | Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery - Bicycle Comics
Who's In The Wrong? | Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery - Bicycle Comics
Ya, right! The best defence is offence.
Re: Scenic route gets facelift- Examiner article July 24
I just got in from a trike ride down the
The s-curve that goes under the Trent U pedestrian over-pass was repaved last year. They then put up a concrete barrier retaining wall all along it on the river side. It’s at least half a mitre high and really ruins a beautiful panoramic view of Trent U on the water. It has also blocked access to a lovely little shady nook, with benches for walkers, hikers and cyclists to tarry and enjoy the view.
This so-called road improvement is supposed to improve sight lines? It hasn’t improved sight lines for anyone. Please take down that ugly wall and gives us back our beautiful
Re: Perilous cycle spots (Examiner letters July 21)
Mark Steele disagrees with me that
These are 4-lane roads, and when the curb lane is not wide enough to share I take the lane, keeping highly visible to overtaking traffic and allowing them to pass in the inside lane. Drivers see me easily and understand my intent.
Under
Situations such as this are learned and practiced in CanBike 2, cycling education for adults. Registration is at: http://www.learningsource.ca/
"Nobody ever died from not knowing how to play flag football. Yet we spend tax money teaching kids its nuances in gym classes, while bicycle safety is still foreign to most school curriculums. That isn't right."
- Don Cuerdon, cycling journalist who uses the pen name "Captain Dondo"
Transit changes remain stalled- The Examiner May12
The city says it cannot find the money to complete improvements to public transit that would encourage more ridership.
Even though, it received more money than expected from provincial gas tax revenue (which is supposed to be earmarked primarily for public transit).
As Transportation manager Kimble stated, ’Following implementation (of previous improvements) in fall of 2006, ridership increased by 8.5%.’
This only proves; if you build it they will come!
Given that more money spent on improvements equals increased ridership, what is wrong with borrowing the money required to continue necessary improvements - or perhaps taking it from the roads budget?
After all, more transit riders means less cars, less congestion, fewer roads required, and reduced emissions. This is where we should be headed.
Why is it that when spending money on roads, politicians and city staff call it investing in the future, or investing in infrastructure, but spending money on transit is called subsidizing?
In actuality, motorists are being subsidized through taxes of non-motorists. I just read that while drivers are belly-aching about $1.25 gas, the actual cost to society is $4 a litre
I submit that public transit decisions are made by city council and city staff who drive.
Motor heads just don’t get it.
Police charge 27 cyclists
Traffic and downtown patrol officers laid 27 charges in a plainclothes sweep targeting cyclists and skateboarders in the downtown core, city police said Friday.
Sgt. John Ogrodnik said all the charges related to cyclists, and were related to riding on the sidewalk, going the wrong way on a one-way street and running red lights.
Riding on a sidewalk will net you a $65 ticket, he said, and a Highway Traffic Act offence is a $110 ticket-Peterborough Examiner July 11/08
To: letters@peterboroughexaminer.com
Congrats to our police service for their enforcement effort regarding cyclist’s infractions. As a transportation cyclist I recognize the security and safety of following the rules of the road as I go about my daily tasks.
I’m particularly pleased they are going after wrong-way cyclists. Almost 30% of all car/bike crashes are caused by cyclists riding against traffic flow. They’re not only a danger to themselves, but also a danger to those who cycle properly, with traffic. I’ve had many a close call coming around a corner to find someone coming right at me.
As far as sidewalk cycling goes, it’s not as safe as some might think. A cyclist is 2.6 times more likely to have a crash on the sidewalk as compared to riding on the road. They are a danger to the rightful users of this space e.g. children, senior citizens, mothers with strollers and dogs on leashes. Ironically, they flee the roads to avoid the SUVs and then become the SUV of the sidewalk.
I know it’s people like this that injury stats are culled from; and Darwinian theory prevails, but what bothers me is that in the process of eliminating themselves, they skew the stats to make people think that somehow cycling is a dangerous activity (which it isn’t). On an hourly basis, motoring is more dangerous than cycling.
They also give legal cyclists a bad name and we don’t like it. We ride according to the rules of the road in a lawful, predictable manner which motorists appreciate and respect. We don’t want scoff-law cyclists ruining our good relationship.
Good news! For those who cycle already and would like to cycle more, but feel intimidated in certain traffic situations, a CanBike2 course for adults starts on Sept 10, and there are still a few openings. This course will help you feel safe and confident in traffic; setting you free to enjoy cycling for shopping, errands and commuting in this wonderful bike-able city of ours. Register at www.learningsource.ca.
Sgt. John Ogrodnik said all the charges related to cyclists, and were related to riding on the sidewalk, going the wrong way on a one-way street and running red lights.
Riding on a sidewalk will net you a $65 ticket, he said, and a Highway Traffic Act offence is a $110 ticket-Peterborough Examiner July 11/08
To: letters@peterboroughexaminer.com
Congrats to our police service for their enforcement effort regarding cyclist’s infractions. As a transportation cyclist I recognize the security and safety of following the rules of the road as I go about my daily tasks.
I’m particularly pleased they are going after wrong-way cyclists. Almost 30% of all car/bike crashes are caused by cyclists riding against traffic flow. They’re not only a danger to themselves, but also a danger to those who cycle properly, with traffic. I’ve had many a close call coming around a corner to find someone coming right at me.
As far as sidewalk cycling goes, it’s not as safe as some might think. A cyclist is 2.6 times more likely to have a crash on the sidewalk as compared to riding on the road. They are a danger to the rightful users of this space e.g. children, senior citizens, mothers with strollers and dogs on leashes. Ironically, they flee the roads to avoid the SUVs and then become the SUV of the sidewalk.
I know it’s people like this that injury stats are culled from; and Darwinian theory prevails, but what bothers me is that in the process of eliminating themselves, they skew the stats to make people think that somehow cycling is a dangerous activity (which it isn’t). On an hourly basis, motoring is more dangerous than cycling.
They also give legal cyclists a bad name and we don’t like it. We ride according to the rules of the road in a lawful, predictable manner which motorists appreciate and respect. We don’t want scoff-law cyclists ruining our good relationship.
Good news! For those who cycle already and would like to cycle more, but feel intimidated in certain traffic situations, a CanBike2 course for adults starts on Sept 10, and there are still a few openings. This course will help you feel safe and confident in traffic; setting you free to enjoy cycling for shopping, errands and commuting in this wonderful bike-able city of ours. Register at www.learningsource.ca.
My main ride...
The Lightfoot Courier is a cargo trike, built to carry 500 lbs.
In these pics I just picked up a weeks groceries for two and am
adding on a large bag of dogfood for a total of 85 lbs.
In these pics I just picked up a weeks groceries for two and am
adding on a large bag of dogfood for a total of 85 lbs.
Local Food
Mmmmm......organic tomatoes from my garden, organic peppers and swiss chard from Anne and John in Wooler, oven-fry potatoes fro John Woods in Millbrook, hormone-free beef patties from Susan French in Millbrook, fresh baked organic bread rolls from Sticklings in Peterborough.
Combined to make the best and healthiest burger I've ever tasted!
Am I being subversive?
David Suzuki writes:
The subversiveness of eating locally
People should be able to enjoy growing their own food even if international trade suffers.
A Critique of BikePaths in Peterborough
Chemong Rd. and Parkway Path Crossing (motorists' view)
Parkway Bike Path at Chemong RdThey feel they won't have to deal with traffic and they perceive multi-use paths as safer than roads. Parents and school officials advise children to use MUPs.
Other than the fact that cyclists have to deal with little old ladies with little dogs on long leashes, big dogs off-leash, walkers with baby strollers, other uneducated cyclists who don't warn them (or pedestrians) when overtaking from behind, and rollerbladers doing dance moves, the MUP is only safe between road crossings. Most road accidents happen at intersections and many of these people, particularly children, do not have the skills to cross a busy road safely.
If the city is going to design and build MUPs, they must do so safely, taking into account the users' skill levels. This means all paths should have ramped curb-cuts and signage to warn and direct cyclists, and they must have adequate crosswalk markings and warning signs for motorists.
The road crossing at Parkway Trail and Chemong Rd. is probably the newest path crossing and the city has gone to a lot of expense to create an island half-way across this busy 4-lane road, complete with maze to prevent cyclists from riding straight across. Yet a young boy almost died a week ago (he's in Sunnybrook Hospital with serious head injuries), and another of similar age did die last year near this crossing. Can this crossing be improved to make it safer? I think so.
The bike-crossing sign at Armour Rd. and Rotary Greenway Trail is much more explicit, showing an X under bicycle symbol and the crosswalk marking is more explicit too, using a much wider broken line. After motorists have seen the Armour Rd sign, the Chemong sign which shows bicycle symbol with line beneath it is confusing as it is not uniform and could be mis-interpreted. Also, Chemong sign is on pole above traffic light warning sign which could lead motorists to believe, if there is a bike crossing, it is at the lights.
Some cyclists I met and spoke to at this crossing felt they would feel safer with a flashing overhead amber light.
According to City of Peterborough traffic count, this section of Chemong Rd. is used by 22836 cars daily, making it second only to Lansdowne W. in volume. A flashing overhead amber actuated by trail crosser would be a damn good idea. Traffic light warning sign should be taken down and moved past bike X sign. Another bike X sign should be posted further from crossing on vehicle approach.
If these improvements were made at this busy intersection, they could be used as a benchmark for other bike crossings in the city. And the City of Peterborough would be able to say that they've done all they could for crossing safety.
Car-free Day in Peterborough
Big Bertha, trailer and Gypsy Rover
Jan, my favourite Sprout Lady with the Serious ShopperSaturday was car-free day in the 'patch', so I took my trike 'Gypsy Rover' and side-by-side tandem 'Big Bertha' to the Farmer's Market. I met Hendrik on the way and he brought along his two self-built recumbent bikes. Sadly, I didn't see any evidence of less cars as I pedalled throught the crush of morning market traffic. China did better than the 'patch' when they had their 'No Car Day'.
Susan Sauve, transportation demand manager for the city was having a car-free display and had invited me to participate. Donald Fraser from Peterborough Green-up was there and also a member of Peterborough's 'finest' with his cop bike. There was free carrot cake too, so many cyclists took the opportunity to 'carb up'! The city was also offering free transit for the day.
They had free valet bicycle parking and Wildrock Outfitters were giving free bike tune-ups.
Spokes N' Pedals put together a 'Serious Shopper' for the event. It was a ladies hybrid all done up for a transportation cyclist; polycarbonate fenders, luggage rack with pillion bag, foldable wire basket and saddlebag attached to rear and a quick-release wicker basket in front. What a beauty!
Maybe next year the city could could close off a block of George St downtown and spring for some advertising to let people know in advance. I'm sure more people would have left their cars at home had they known. Anyway congrats to Susan and Donald for a job well done! Next year it will be bigger and better! Thanks also to Eric and Matt from Wildrock for the tune-ups!
The Rotary Greenway Trail
Robinson St. traffic count 516
Douro ST. traffic count 2466
Hunter St. E traffic count 15,931----no curb cut, no bollards, no crosswalk striping,no flashing amber,no bike xing warning signs for motorists.
Parkhill xing has actuated stoplight with traffic count 16,563....only 700 fewer than Hunter St.
This trail is probably the safest trail in Peterborough barring the new Tollington Bridge extension (see Tollington Bridge Dangers July (/07).
The reason being that it mostly follows the river so there are less intersections to deal with.
It is also the trail most worthy of being called a transportation artery as it is a major north/south route for bicycle commuters, including students and faculty from Trent U and Thomas A Stewart CI
That being said it fails miserably on crossing safety at Hunter St. E. In fact it has no crossing features whatsoever. There are no yellow bollards....no ramped curb cuts......there is no crosswalk striping...... and there are no bike Xing warning signs for motorists!!! Yet this stretch of Hunter has a traffic count of 15,931 !!! Robinson St., the next crossing south, is better marked and only has a traffic count of 516. This is a gross oversight on Peterborough's favourite and most populous trail. For novice cyclists and unwary motorists, this is an accident waiting to happen.
Recommendations to improve safety:
- install bollards at trail entrance each side
- cut curbs and ramp
- broad broken crosswalk stripe on pavement
- overhead flashing amber crossing sign actuated by trail crosser
- bike X warning signs installed on Hunter St. at crossing and 1/2 block away in each direction
Bike lane urged after truck crushes bike
A letter to Peterborough Examiner and city council:
Once again when a collision happens between a cyclist and motorist, the hue and cry continues for the city to install more bike facilities.
After a careful read and a careful look at photo from Examiner, I would suggest that the tractor trailer swung wide to make right turn onto Sherbrooke St. and cyclist came up on right. When truck completed it’s turn, rear wheels went close to curb.
How would a bike lane remedy this situation? The cyclist through ignorance and a lack of education put herself in a dangerous situation. She’s lucky to be alive. Had she taken a vehicular cycling course such as the CanBike programme, she would have known better than to pass a right turning truck on the right. http://www.canbike.net/cca_pages/index.htm
The city should not build new bike facilities until they have conducted an extensive review of design safety in existing bike facilities.
A young cyclist just got hit at a bike path crosswalk on Chemong Rd. and another young cyclist died near that location last year.
I am presently conducting a critique of Peterborough Bike Facilties and I am first dealing with that crossing because of collisions. Find out more at http://transportationcyclist.blogspot.com/ I welcome comments and am happy to debate bike facilities vs. education with anyone.
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