CYCLE THERAPY: FEBRUARY 1995
CONTENTS:
1) GOOSE NETS $2.8 MILLION EGG, by Ray Burge
2) NEWS FROM THE PREZ, by Blair Marshall
3) TRAIL EXTENSION TO SHAWNIGAN LAKE PROPOSED, by Ray Burge
4) CARMAGEDDON: IS THE END NIGH FOR HIGHWAY EXPANSION?
by Dale Hitchcox
5) BIKE LOCKERS COMING, by Dale Hitchcox
6) SEVEN MORE STEPS TO SAFETY, by Ray Burge
7) COMMITTEE NEWS:
a) SAANICH, by Joanne Clark
b) VICTORIA, by Bo Martin
8) YOU TOO CAN BE A VIP ("Volunteers in Parks")! by Ray Burge
9) WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?
GECO SURVEY SHOWS BIG POTENTIAL FOR BIKE USE. by Ray Burge
10) BIKE MAINTENANCE CLASS SCHEDULE
11) BIKE BOOKS by Ray Burge
12) SPOKESPEOPLE: AN INTERVIEW WITH GEORDON RENDLE
(School Liaison Officer - Saanich Police)
13) JUSTICE FOR CYCLISTS, by Terry Connellan
14) LETTERS
1) GOOSE NETS $2.8 MILLION EGG
by Ray Burge
February 1st. was a red letter day for Victoria cyclists with the news
that a continuous cycling corridor from Six Mile Road into Victoria will
now become a reality. The Galloping Goose Trail will be paved, and safe
crossings of highways built, under a project announced by Transportation
and Highways Minister Jackie Pement that day.
The Vancouver Island Highway Project has committed initial funding of $2.8
million toward the planning, design and construction of cycling
facilities. A community based advisory committee will be formed to
consider the various options for trail structures before detailed design
begins. The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition and the Saanich Bicycle
Advisory Committee will sit on this committee along with the various
government organizations involved.
In making the announcement Minister Pement stressed the government's
commitment to investment in transportation alternatives. "The Galloping
Goose will soon provide a safe route from the Western Communities to
downtown Victoria,"she said.
The completion of this six kilometre section, along with the earlier
announced grants for restoration of the Selkirk, Swan, and Brett trestles,
will provide safe cycle commuter routes from Saanich and the Western
Communities into the heart of Victoria.
Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission, Andrew Petter,
told Cycle Therapy he expects work could begin on the "missing link" (the
crossing of Highway #1 at the Town and Country) before the end of this
year. " The project will eventually gives us a trail system of some 70
km," he added.
The announcement represents a triumph for cycling interests in Victoria
and underlines the government's commitment to cycling as an alternative
means of transportation. Robin Blencoe, Government Services Minister
expressed his support for the project as part of the move to get
government employees to change car commuting habits. Quoting the survey of
employee commuting habits conducted by his department, Blencoe pointed out
that a lot of people wanted to bike to work but wanted safe routes and
secure bike parking.
"This particular initiative will go a long way to providing the support
system that cyclists in this city need," he said.
In addition to the vital crossing of the TransCanada Highway the project
will include crossings at Helmcken Rd. (an underpass); West Burnside Rd.
(grade separated): Six Mile (at Grade) and crossings at McKenzie and
Tillicum Roads.
2) NEWS FROM THE PREZ
by Blair Marshall
Want to do something concrete to improve cycling in Victoria?
One of the main obstacles for cyclists on the CN right-of-way is the
Trans-Canada Highway near Town and Country Shopping Centre. Although
signs posted there forbid crossing the highway, cyclists do so regularly.
That practice is unsafe. It is a given that some level of government,
probably the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Highways, (MoTH)
will build a facility to allow people to cross the highway more safely.
But what kind of facility will they build?
If this trail is to be a viable commuter route, the design, whether it is
a bridge over the road, or some kind of underpass, in addition allowing
cyclists to cross safely, must meet other criteria.
* It has to allow cyclists to ride continuously from one side to the
other. Any design that requires cyclists to dismount and walk is not
acceptable, and will destroy its potential as a commuter route.
* It has to provide a high level of personal security for users--day
and night. Many people, for example, will simply refuse to use a dark,
narrow tunnel.
* It has to be wide enough to be used by cyclists, pedestrians,
and--let's be realistic--in-line skaters.
Saanich Councillor Judy Brownoff, the chair of her municipality's Bicycle
Advisory Committee and GVCC advocate Denise Savoie have met with
representatives of MoTH on the question of what kind of crossing needs to
be built. The ministry is listening to the cycling community.
However, cyclists need to let their local elected representatives know how
important the right kind of crossing is. Politicians need to know there
is support in the community for spending the money necessary for the right
kind of facility.
That's where your efforts count. If you care about this trail, find out
whose constituency you live in and write to your MLA. Make the above
points in a letter--always a more effective medium than a petition, or
pre-printed mailed card. Please send a copy to the GVCC, as well. The
sooner the better, because decisions could be make in the near future.
Mail to all MLAs can be sent to The Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C.,
V8V 1X4.
Local MLAs:
Oak Bay: Elizabeth Cull
Victoria Hillside: Robin Blencoe
Victoria Beacon Hill: Gretchen Brewin
Saanich South: Andrew Petter
Saanich North and the Islands: Clive Tanner
Esquimalt Metchosin: Moe Sihota
Malahat Juan de Fuca: Rick Kasper
3) TRAIL EXTENSION TO SHAWNIGAN LAKE PROPOSED.
by Ray Burge
Extension of the Galloping Goose Trail through the Greater Victoria Water
District lands from Leechtown to Shawnigan Lake was recommended by
Chairman Frank Leonard to the CRD Board of Directors on January 25th.
The trail would be part of the Trans-Canada Trail, a multi-use trail which
will eventually cross the continent. As the route could pass through
catchment lands of the water district, public discussion and changes to
existing Water District policy would be required. Present policy is to
control access to the lands in order to prevent any contamination of the
water supply.
The plan for the proposed trail was developed as far back as 1973 using
the abandoned CNR right-of way as the route. Alternative routes have also
been explored and demarcated by a number of groups. The new trail would
add 15 kilometres to the existing 60 km. of the Galloping Goose and enable
cyclists, hikers and horse riders to travel to Village of Lake Cowichan or
Nanaimo.
4) CARMAGEDDON: IS THE END NIGH FOR HIGHWAY EXPANSION?
by Dale Hitchcox
29 cyclists braved sub-zero temperatures, Dec. 3rd. to protest the
Province's highway expansion project.
The demonstration, in front of the Legislature, was organized by
"Carmageddon" a group set up last November to pursue non-violent, direct
action against the highway project. Spokesman Elliot Smith said, "Our
goals include bringing about fair public process concerning the highway.
The process has been a bit of a phantom to date. We want a regional
referendum to decide the fate of this multi-billion-dollar project. We
want to see a comprehensive land use plan for this region that promotes
sustainable communities and puts an end to the car-dependent urban sprawl
that results from road expansions totally geared to car use."
Jack Etkin of the Sierra Club also spoke at the rally. "If the Province
succeeds in building a freeway into Victoria, it will destroy our city,"
he said. "there isn't public support for this freeway; that is why MoTH is
being so secretive. We've asked to see the plans and they have said no".
5) BIKE LOCKERS COMING
by Dale Hitchcox
Within a month BC Transit should have bike lockers installed at the
transit exchanges at the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre and MacTavish Road.
They will be rented by subscription. "Cyclists will pay a nominal monthly
fee ($5-$10) and use their own lock," said Ron Drolet, a manager in
Transit's marketing division.
"To deter thieves we will be providing good lighting and placing the
lockers in highly visible, high-traffic areas," he added.
To use one of the lockers phone Steve Harvey, at Transit: 385-2551.
6) SEVEN MORE STEPS TO SAFETY
by Ray Burge
Seven more kilometres of Greater Victoria roads have been made safer for
cyclists according to a news release by MoTH. The improvements were
carried out at the request of area cyclists and consist of shoulder
improvements to the following locations:
*Southbound side of Hwy 1A from Ocean Blvd, Colwood (0.4km)
*Both sides of Craigflower Rd. west of Tillicum in Esquimalt (0.6km)
*Northbound side of Admirals Rd. from Thomas Rd. to start of kerb at
Coopers Rd.
*Southbound side of Admirals Rd. from Glentana Rd to Esquimalt boundary.
*Both sides of Chan Place and Glenshire Drive in Colwood.
*Both sides of Hwy 17A between West Saanich and Wain Rds. in N.Saanich.
*Southbound side of West Saanich Rd. near Towner Park Rd. in N.Saanich.
*Southbound side of West Saanich Rd. from Porquathin Lane to 0.5 km south.
*Grant Rd. between Firwood Place and Maple Ave in Sooke (0.4 km)
7) COMMITTEE NEWS:
a) SAANICH
by Joanne Clark
The Saanich Bicycle Advisory Committee is studying a number of projects on
which to spend their annual $30,000 budget. Possibilities include the
addition of bicycle lanes to North Dairy Road, which could occur in
conjunction with the redevelopment of Hillside Shopping Centre. Paving of
the short section of the Lochside Trail through McMinn Park is also being
considered, as is a continuation of the Helmcken Road bicycle lane to
Burnside Road, and cycling improvements to Royal Oak Drive and Cordova
Bay Road through Mount Douglas Park.
SBAC is also looking at the rough trail which follows Bowker Creek near
Shelbourne Avenue as a potential recreational trail connecting Postal
Station C, Hillside Shopping Centre, Royal Jubilee Hospital, several
schools, a church, and the Oak Bay shopping area.
Paving of the second phase of the Lochside Trail in Spring '95 will bring
the trail to the doorstep of Borden Mercantile. SBAC has been advised
that the Capital Regional District is attempting to negotiate a lease for
a right-of-way to allow the the next phase of trail development to
proceed through Borden property.
b) VICTORIA
by Bo Martin
Contrary to what some people might suspect, The City of Victoria Bicycle
Master Plan is not dead, although its progress through the maze of
municipal departments, committees, sub-committees and commissions seems at
times excruciatingly slow. The Transportation Committee, for example,
spent no less than 14 hours examining the Bike Plan! Amazingly, the Plan
has emerged from all this scrutiny as a document that is still worthwhile,
and it is our hope that it will be ready to go to Council for final
adoption in March.
In 1994 it was decided that the money that had been set aside for bicycle
improvements should be spent on re-striping the lanes on Blanshard to
provide two 1.5m. wide bicycle lanes between the city limits (Tolmie) and
Fisgard. Unfortunately, by the time the City was ready to do it, the wet
season had begun, so we now have to wait until the weather stabilizes
before these lanes will become a reality.
Council is now in the middle of discussions on the 1995 budget, so we do
not know yet how much will be allocated to bicycling but we hope there
will be a significant increase on last year's $30,000. Much of the last
two meetings of the sub-committee has been spent on ranking the bicycle
projects that could be done in 1995 depending on funding. It was decided
that the top priority is the improvement of the Fort and Yates corridor
between Fernwood and Blanshard. It has not been decided yet exactly what
the improvements should be , but we have had several "spirited"
discussions of the relative merits of the marked bike lanes versus wide
outer lanes on streets that have short-term parking, driveways and bus-stops.
Other projects, ranked in descending order, were provision of secure bike
parking downtown, signs for designated bikeways, and elimination of
dangerous hot spots for cyclists.
Our next meeting is February 22, 4.30 - 6.00pm, Committee Room #2, City
Hall. Everybody is welcome!
8) YOU TOO CAN BE A VIP!
by Ray Burge
VIP status can be yours under the CRD program "Volunteers in Parks". Crd
Parks is looking for cyclists who would like to become VIP Wardens on the
newly opened section of the Galloping Goose Trail from Atkins Road to
Victoria.
VIP Wardens need to visit the trail at least once a week to report any
problems and provide information to park visitors. All volunteers will be
interviewed and the four chosen will receive training in March. CRD
already has 13 VIP Wardens on the Atkins Rd. to Sooke section of the Goose
as part of tis program to encourage community involvement in the parks.
If you have an interest in natural history and recreational cycling this
is your chance to make a contribution to the development of one of the
finest recreational trails in the province. Call Julie Lommerse, at
478-3344, to volunteer or to get more information on the VIP Wardens program.
9) WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?
GECO SURVEY SHOWS BIG POTENTIAL FOR BIKE USE. by Ray Burge
The BC Government's move towards alternative transportation has revealed
some interesting statistics from its November 1994 survey in which more
than 7,000 employees gave their views.
15% of those who answered the survey chose bikes as the preferred
alternative, while 7% said they already biked to work.
What of the others? Here is how it stacked up.
Too far to cycle? 35% live within 5 km. of work (15 minute ride at most).
75% live within 15 km.
Too old to cycle? 93% of the employees are under 55.
So what is holding them back? The primary reason is safety on the road,
closely followed by the lack of change and shower facilities and secure
parking for bikes at the workplace.
All of these obstacles can be overcome by positive action both by the
employer and the regional municipalities. The bonus for all of us is a
healthier work force. GECO's survey has given a clear direction to follow.
Let's do it.
10) BIKE MAINTENANCE
Tune Up: Canbike Maintenance 1:
For the mechanically disinclined. With the help and guidance of a
qualified instructor learn to do your own weekly and monthly maintenance
on your own bike, fix road-side flats, etc... Six hours of instruction,
two people per class: $40 (save $25-50, two or three times a year, at a
shop). Phone Ray Hall: 380-0172.
Overhaul: Canbike Maintenance 2: Learn to do an annual rebuild on your
bike under the supervision of a qualified mechanic. All tools and supplies
provided. 100% hands-on. Two people per class. 12 hours total. $75 each.
(An overhaul at a shop costs $80-150 a year). Classes at times convenient
to participants. Contact Ray Hall at 380-0172. Canadian Cycling
Association-certified instructor #007.
11) BIKE BOOKS by Ray Burge
Encycleopedia 94\95 $31.00.
Ever dreamt of owning a Flux Z-pro recumbent? Need a bike you can fold
up in 25 seconds and pop in a carrier bag? Your dream bikes are all there
in Encycleopedia.
This lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced buyer's guide features
the latest in bicycles and accessories. Nearly two hundred pages of colour
photographs of the best in bicycling make this an ideal gift for the
cyclist who has nearly everything but wants more.
Encycleopedia is produced by Open Road Ltd. of York, England which also
publishes the quarterly magazine Bike Culture. Both publications are
available at the Fairfield Bike Shop, 1275 Oscar St.
12) SPOKESPEOPLE: GEORDON RENDLE
GVCC's Bob Townsend interviewed Geordon Rendle for Cycle Therapy as he
prepared to start a two year leave of absence from his job as School
Liaison Officer for the Saanich Police. Geordon has been involved with
Safe Cycling Programs, the Special Program Aimed at Cyclist Education
(SPACE) and was a member of the Saanich Bicycle Advisory Committee. He has
also worked as a cycling patrol man and run Bicycle Rodeos for schools
and the Right Riders Program to teach cycling techniques and the rules of
the road.
Geordon spent his childhood years in Columbia where his family were
missionaries and is fluent in Spanish. He holds a B.A.in criminology from
SFU. During his leave of absence he will spend most of his time in
Caracas, Venezuela with his wife Marilyn and young son Jordan engaged in
police and missionary work. He is looking forward to being Team Canada's
attache and translator for the World Cycling Championships which will be
held in Bogota, Columbia in September 1995.
CYCLE THERAPY: Geordon, what are some of the advantages of bicycle
patrols by police?
GEORDON: We ride Rocky Mountain Hammers with Rock Shox in our work.
Policing is very much a "people job" and it's far easier to communicate
with the public from a bike than a cruiser. It makes for great public
relations.
It's also cost effective. The cost of a cruiser is equal to the expense
of putting twenty officers on bikes and it's good for the environment.
Bikes provide excellent park patrols for the many parks we have in
Saanich. We can travel any trail with our mountain bikes.
Cycling also helps keep our members fit. Here in Victoria we can have
bike patrols all year and travel by bike is almost as fast as by car . It
only takes me two minutes more to get to U Vic from my office on a bike
than in a car.
CT: You must have had lots of interesting experiences on patrol?
GEORDON: Well, you should have seen the look on the truck driver's face
when I caught him up on my bike and gave him a ticket for running a red
light. Then there were some kids trying to hot wire a car. The bike is so
quiet they didn't know I was there until it was too late.
CT : What's your wish list for cycling in Victoria?
GEORDON: Quite a long one. I would like to see more bikeways and in
particular the completion of the CN right-of-way trails all the way out to
Swartz Bay. This would be a real boost for bike commuting, tourism and
recreation, and would also provide safe routes to schools.
I'd like to see more park trails designated for mountain bike use. School
wide cycling in the curriculum is another one. And driver education on
cycling. As it stands now there is no mention of cyclists in driver
education or examinations. The Motor Vehicle Act (RSBC) needs to have some
changes to give more emphasis to bicycles as a legitimate form of
transportation. I am excited about what the Municipal Bicycle Committees
are doing.
One last wish: helmets. I'd like to see 100% use of helmets. We are
probably at the 70% level now so we have some way to go.
CT: That's a good list. We'll keep working on it while you're away. Now
tell us something about Venezuela and what you are going to be doing there.
GEORDON: Cycling and soccer (they say futbol) are two of the national
pastimes there. The country is very bike conscious and road racing is a
national sport.
I will be doing drug prevention programs in the schools. Among other
things I shall be showing that there are exciting alternatives to drug use
through sports, triathlons, cycling, racing. I will be working with some
police groups teaching them what I do here in Saanich. My wife and I also
hope to do some work in the missionary field.
CT: Muchas gracias, Geordon. Bueno Nueva an~o con gusto. Hasta la vista,
amigo!
13)JUSTICE FOR CYCLISTS
by Terry Connellan
Back in November in the first of a three part series a procedure for
reporting incidents to the police was given. Does it work? Consider the
following.
It is just after 11 AM last August 31, a lone cyclist is riding on
Blenkinsop between McKenzie and Cedar Hill Cross Road. He is about to be
overtaken by four cars. The first two cars swing out and pass safely. The
third car, a blue1984 Toyota Celica BC License EFD 595, doesn't pull out
and collides with the bicycle and its rider knocking them onto the gravel
shoulder next to a ditch.
The driver of the fourth car seeing this sounds her horn continuously
causing the driver of the Toyota to pull off and stop. She pulls past and
parks ahead.
The Toyota drivers comment is "I didn't see you, It was just an accident,
so what's the big deal. You're not injured." He identifies himself as
Jamie Ben Scheffer, age 17, of 4612 Sunnymead Way. Scheffer produces a
registration for the car and a temporary drivers permit. When asked he
admits that in his short driving career he has "A couple of speeding
tickets, and some other stuff."
This information and that of the witness are transmitted by fax to the
Deputy Police Chief of Saanich, with the request that he respond within 24
hours with the police file number, the name of the investigating officer,
and provide within seven days the resulting charges.
The Deputy Chief responded the next day to advise that the matter had been
referred to traffic division. Five days later a fax arrived from a
constable providing the case number and, asking for much of the same
information already provided. The cyclists recommendation as to charges
was also solicited.
The cyclists response provided the requested information, and the
recommendation, "Driving without due care and attention" and asked to be
notified of the charge within seven days.
Three days later the constable advised that "The individual received a
summons for a provincial statute under the Motor Vehicle Act; which best
reflected the offense that took place." This prompted a return fax
requesting the specific charge that had been laid.
A week later, when no response was received, a letter was sent to the
Deputy Chief pointing this out, and asking that the information be
provided within 24 hours.
Four days later the Deputy Chief advised that Jamie Ben Scheffer had been
charged under "Section 159[1][a] of the Motor Vehicle Act, failure to pass
to the left of another vehicle at a safe distance."
It had taken just three weeks to charge a vehicular predator, on a
cyclist's complaint, in a jurisdiction whose police are generally regarded
as inept, uncaring, and even hostile to bicyclists, and with a charge that
has been described as "a kiss on both cheeks, and a pat on the head, but
it happened.
It happened because a cyclist followed a procedure that enabled, assisted,
and then ensured that the police perform as required under the Police Act,
and it worked.
Yes Virginia, it works, even in Saanich.
---Would Jamie Ben Scheffer have become a vehicular predator if
he had been better trained? see Education, whose responsibility is it? in
our next issue."
14) LETTERS
KUDOS FOR MoTH FROM IMAGINE TOURS OF CALIFORNIA
Dear Mr. Barker,
Ministry of Transportation & Highways
We'd like to thank you for all the assistance you rendered to us during
the third annual Big Island Tour last summer. We are not used to receiving
such cooperation in California. It is refreshing.
Thanks for ensuring that the new chip-seal on Saltspring was swept prior
to the day's ride and for ensuring that other areas were as problem free
as possible. The efforts of Mark Stephens and Jack Parry were above the
call of duty especially as they were already working to a tight schedule
because of the Commonwealth Games.
We hope that as plans for the New Island Highway progress, the use of
bikes will be recognized by the professional planners. Our riders are
asking us for other routes on Vancouver Island and we would like to extend
our route beyond Nanaimo, Other ride directors are following our lead .
The old Island Highway could become an ideal recreational bike corridor.
You are blessed on Vancouver Island. It would be tragic to repeat some of
the errors made in larger urban areas.
-Nancy and George Redpath. Imagine Tours, California.
Letter2: TWO HEROES
Many thanks to "good Samaritan" Torrey Woods for transporting me and my
bike, in his truck, from the scene of my accident on the Camosun
Interurban campus on December 28th.
Torrey, the road rashes are healing nicely and the ripped tendon and
cracked hip have me on crutches for awhile. If not for you I'd also have
had hypothermia.
A hill, darkness, sand on asphalt and a speed bump felled me.
Thanks also the Ray Hall for taking me to hospital and then scrubbing the
sand out of my wounds. Nothing squeamish about Ray! The nurses were over
worked, under staffed and four hours behind demand.
The Can-Bike II course keeps me safe and legal in traffic but for "off
road" riding I'm still an amateur. Thank goodness Torry and Ray were
around, responsible, willing and able. Hope I can do the same for others
one day.
Sincerely
Penny Mills.