Active Transportation - Commuting
The concept of commuting on a bicycle is simple enough. You get on your bike and start riding. In practice, things are a little more complicated. For over 100 years we have allowed ourselves to grow - psychologically and physically - dependent on the motor vehicle. Our roads, homes, and lifestyles have been built around an assumption that we will drive wherever we want to go. In some instances, riding a bicycle is simply not safe. We are fortunate in PEI that many of our roads are safe for bicycles. For the most part, drivers are aware of cyclists, watch for them and share the road with bicyclists. Still, there are awkwardly designed intersections and narrow roads. CPEI is working with various government and non-governmental agencies to address these problems.
In the news lately (early 2010 as I write this), we are hearing forecasts that the current generation of children will be the first in modern history to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. The effects of pollution, obesity, and lack of exercise are catching up. At the same time, the cost of fossil fuel is climbing. We are increasingly aware of our carbon footprint. A logical alternative to all these negative factors is riding a bicycle whenever possible.
CPEI will use this site to announce changes in cycling conditions, ask for motorists and cyclists to contribute ideas, and generally promote safer commuting. Designing roads for safe riding of bicycles to school is another matter. For kids, CPEI is looking to either slow the cars down significantly, or to have separate bike paths, not lanes. This is our eventual goal whenever cars are travelling more than 10 kph faster than the average cyclist. Similarly, CPEI recommends that designated bicycle commuting paths NOT be shared with walkers. The difference in speed between active commuters on a bicycle and a person on a morning walk is too great for safety should a collision happen. Remember my comment above about commuting being a rather complicated matter? Creating equal yet separate access for walkers, cyclists and motorists in the same space that has been set aside exclusively for motor vehicles will require changes to the way we use our public roads. Think careful negotiations and the potential to anger many people who are set in their ways.
Examine the two photos below. They are taken from the same place, looking in opposite directions. The town is not important, it's the powerful message sent by the city council that counts. A common street was turned into a one-way for motor vehicles, a median with trees and flowers was built, and a two-way bike path was created. Simple, eh? This particular path connects the commercial portion of a small town to a school and church, and brings tourists into town for economic benefit. When the bike path is separated from the cars, parents are more willing to let their kids ride to school.
The next photo is from the City of Vancouver, and shows part of the False Creek path system. Note separation of walkers from cyclists and roller bladers, with no motor vehicles in sight.
