GoBiking.ca News Blog - Latest comments

bikerider [Member] in response to: Work on segregated bike lane well underway

bikerider [Member] — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:20:43 +0000

The bike lane on Laurier is about 5-1/2 feet wide, enough space for one cyclist but not wide enough for passing.

Now if they got rid of the outside concrete barriers there would be passing lanes.

ottawaoutdoorsdave [Member] in response to: The issue of electric vehicles on pathways & bike lanes

ottawaoutdoorsdave [Member] — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:52:20 +0000

Hi Michael,

Thanks for identifying the three different types of e-bikes.

I disagree the pathways are only meant for non-powered vehicles. For example, that would allow foot-powered stand-up scooters we had as kids to be on the paths, but not the small tiny motorized version of these stand-up scooters kids use today often. It would seem unfair to tell those kids they had to be along side the road and cars.

I think the paths are meant for any other vehicle except gas-or-hybrid-powered ones including cars and motorcycles.

I think the only argument against any of this is about safety. Anything else is just a sort of prejudice. "Only bikes, or stand-up scooters are pedal-powered are allowed on this path."

If the argument is about safety
-- then bikes with chariots take up width that could infringe on that.
-- pedal-powered cyclists can and do often travel at faster speeds (in excess of the 24-32km) and subsequently can cause greater injury than a battery-powered bike. (this includes the talented speed cyclists on flat terrain passing people a lightning speeds, to obviously hills where speed can easily climb)
-- eBikes cannot go fast, maintain a constant easy speed, are not tired, and can stop quickly -- plus are outfitted with horn, lights, signal lights etc.

To try to ban them only because they are battery-powered is blatantly unfair as all are taxpayers.

Don't ban them out of fear of something you think will happen. Allow these "quiet", environmentally friendly bikes on the pathways, bike lanes and roadways and we'll successfully make this a bike-friendly city for all, with more commuters than ever before, all merrily and safely going to work.

Thanks. I know I can count on your vote ;-) -- not that it matters, but hopefully the NCC will be 100% fair, and not just partway.

Dave :)

ottawaoutdoorsdave [Member] in response to: Do you want motorized scooters on the NCC paths?

ottawaoutdoorsdave [Member] — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:36:51 +0000

Hey Mike

In addition to loving cycling, I also own a GIOBike, the scooter-looking, battery-powered bikes the NCC is purposing to ban from its pathways. I am glad they are to be allowed in the bicycle lanes, but you also bring up a good point. If they are "safe enough" to be in a bicycle lane, then I would argue they should be safe enough to travel along the wider-laned canal pathways, and others the NCC oversees. (though, I think you were suggesting to ban them entirely).

Anyways, stealing from Scooterboy, and all his valid points, and adding some of mine, I'd like to sum up the reasons why we battery-powered, non-conventional-bike-looking-scooter-riders feel everybody is safe, or more safe with us also sharing the pathways. We feel we have the right to these paths, and all we request is the same fairness.

1 - considering how fast cyclists can get going on these paths, e-bikes can stop more quickly as we are limited to the maximum speed we can go -- as well, there's an advanced braking system

2 - it is not the size of the vehicle that injures people but rather the impact. A bicycle with a 250lb rider traveling 25km’s/hr will have a higher impact force than a 110lb rider on an ebike traveling the same speed.

3 - the impact of a tandem bike with 2 riders will have a significantly higher impact force and longer braking distances as well. Should we ban these as well as it is clear that these would be significantly more dangerous?

4 - should we ban cyclists towing a trailer with 2 children behind them as well? These are much wider than e-bikes/escooters and have significantly less braking ability than an e-bike/escooter. They take up more room, more width, and are not banned.

5 - an e-bike group will be on the pathways in the coming days with a speed gun proving that the real problems lie with cyclists speeding not ebikers.

6 - e-scooter riders are tax paying individuals who have paid their fair share of taxes to have access to federal pathways.

7 - head is always up, looking straight ahead,

8 - ride is safe, smooth and steady

9 - arriving at place of work or meeting in a non-sweaty mode will attract more commuters, encourage the greening of our city, and save on emissions

10 - saves on parking fees and gas

11 - riders enjoy the scenery in a relaxed state, with lots of time to see and foresee any possible collisions to be easily avoided

12 - GIOBikes are low to the ground, so getting feet down is easy and fast.

The NCC has to change their mind on this….I hope.

Dave Brown
Publisher, Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

trikebum [Member] in response to: It's a done deal - city council approves segregated bike lane on Laurier Avenue

trikebum [Member] — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 01:59:21 +0000

"and vehicular cyclists (who are ideologically opposed to bike paths and bike lanes)."

Sorry this is total bullshit. How can you prevaricate like that? Ideology is a belief system, like you, believing that cars are out to get you and it's not safe on the road. Vehicular cycling is NOT a belief system. It's about the FACT that when using the public roads, you ride according to the rules of the road in a predictable and visible manner, integrating with traffic and getting you home safe. What's wrong with that?

trikebum [Member] in response to: Full frontal attack on Ottawa's proposed bike lane by Vehicular Cyclists

trikebum [Member] — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:23:52 +0000

-"As demonstrated on countless occasions, including a poll conducted by the Ottawa Citizen last summer, the main reason people don't cycle more is because they don’t feel safe riding on busy roads."

That's because the people who participated in the poll have had no traffic skills training. They don't know what they need to know.

pedal maniac [Member] in response to: Nova Scotia introduces a one-metre passing law

pedal maniac [Member] — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:16:06 +0000

A one metre law would help encourage winter cycling.