The end? or just the beginning?

It's been a great month of cycling and none of it would have been possible without the generous support of Ziggy's Cycle - thank you for the bikes, the advice and for helping to grow the cycling community in Kitchener.

Also a big thank you to Josh for organizing the challenge - I can't imagine how much time he put in setting up the blog and making the video.

I ended the month on a high, having cycled every work day for the past 15 days.  In June I spent over 15 hours commuting by bike, and cycled over 300 km in the process.

I feel great and am looking forward to continuing to ride through the rest of the summer and fall.  This past week I've started getting more comfortable riding on busier roads like King and Weber, which has helped me to take a more direct route.  I am also excited to tackle the big hill near my house, which I had shied away from earlier in the month.

Lastly, to all the people that have supported me and all 12 of us through this challenge - thank you!  It's been great that so many people have been interested in how we are doing and if you've been thinking about cycling but haven't done it in a while, just go for it, you'll be glad you did.

- Alan P, Google

Bike2Work Challenge Video & Lessons Learned!

Hello all,

I'm very pleased to announce that all 12 participants have met the requirements of the challenge, and are therefore eligible to keep their bicycles as a prize! In total, the 12 participants have cycled nearly 2000 kilometres from home to work!

Numerous participants have expressed an interest in maintaining this blog throughout the year. I'm pleased to announce that this blog will remain active and participants will continue to blog about their cycling experiences. Be sure to subscribe via email (see box to the right) to be kept up to date. For your information, this blog has been visited over 4000 times!

On another note, I have made some interesting observations in regards to this challenge that I believe are worth sharing:

1)      People will adjust their transportation habits when they are provided with the proper incentives and support: Offering a new bicycle, valued at over $700, proved to be an incentive that worked extremely well in engaging people who might not ever have considered cycling. For example, 10 of the 12 participants in this challenge have never cycled to work before. The incentive is what drew them to participate, but their month long experience is what will adjust their transportation habits in the long term. 100% of participants have stated that they will continue cycling to work after the challenge is over.

2)      When people are willing to share their transportation experiences, others take notice: Participants in this challenge were required to blog about their bicycle commuting experiences online at http://bike2work2012.blogspot.ca/. In just one month, the blog has been visited over 4000 times, and many participants have stated that their friends, family, and co-workers have been inspired to try commuting to work by bicycle as well. People trust their friends and family, so the lesson learned here is to motivate people to spread the messaging themselves.

3)      Cycling is truly for people from all age groups and walks of life: The demographics of participants in this challenge was quite diverse, and included younger and older professionals, parents, and both urban and suburban residents. Despite the differences between participants, all were committed to cycling to work, and all shared a common positive experience. This reinforces the fact that cycling is so much more than just a sport in which you wear spandex. It is a sustainable mode of transportation that resonates with a significant majority of people.

4)      Building partnerships with private and public stakeholders plays an important role in changing people’s transportation habits: Without the generous sponsorship of Ziggy’s Cycle, 12 people would have never been exposed to the many benefits of bicycle commuting. Countless other opportunities exist with the many businesses in Downtown Kitchener, and I believe their involvement will be critical in encouraging people to travel more sustainably.

The following quote was included in the video above: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I… I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” In this context, cycling is the less travelled by option, and yet it has made all the difference in the lives of the 12 participants. Will the City of Kitchener be transformed into a world-class bicycle friendly city? With more initiatives like this one, I do believe it will.

If you have any questions or comments related to the Bike2Work Challenge, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a great weekend and safe cycling!

Regards,

Josh Joseph             

Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

City of Kitchener, Transportation Services

200 King Street West, Kitchener, ON

P.O. Box 1118  |  N2G 4G7

P: 519-741-3400 ext. 3167

F: 519-741-2747

TTY: 1-866-969-9994

E: josh.joseph@kitchener.ca

One Month Down!

I cannot believe that we having been biking for one month. The time really has gone by so quickly and after a conversation yesterday with Alan, a fellow Bike2Work participant, I wish we were doing this all over again. Alan and I ran into one another as we were picking up our bikes to ride home. We were discussing how the challenge has been going and he made mention to a challenge he set for himself that made my ride home and back to work this morning so much fun!
He told me that each day he times himself to see how quickly he can make it to and from work. His goal has been to beat his own time each day and to find new routes to take that have less lights or stop signs to make sure his time keeps improving.
I thought this was such a great idea that I tried it myself. It was such a simple personal challenge and I had so much more fun on my ride home. I actually did not time myself, partly because I had to make a few stops on the ride home, but I felt like I was flying! (Thanks Alan)
At this point it seems appropriate to tell you a few things that I have learnt from riding my bike to work these past few weeks:

1.      Reinvesting in your body feels great;

2.      Not having enough time is an excuse (at least for me);

3.      Gas is expensive…;

4.      You can still go to the LCBO after work to grab a bottle of wine (or three :$);

5.      Biking in the rain is as much fun now as it was when you were a kid;

6.      Biking in lightening is beautiful and incredibly scary;

7.      Bikers scare drivers as much as drivers scare bikers;

Finally, there is a huge need for more bike lanes in KW. I am so excited to continue biking to work, but there are simply some areas that are not safe. As I ride down Ottawa Street or Homer Watson I am constantly reminded of this. Twice now, including this morning, I have been forced by motor vehicles to ride so close to the sidewalk that my bike petal has gotten stuck on the curb. This is the worst feeling I have had so far on my ride to work; not knowing if I am going to get my petal unstuck in time or fall off of my bike into traffic.

I would also like to thank the City of Kitchener and Ziggy’s Cycle for putting on this challenge. This has been a life changing experience…one I will keep up with. Thank You!

Laura (Desire2Learn)

Finally feeling local

Downtown Kitchener has a lot of great residential areas, and I have lived in one for over five years. But only very recently have I started to "feel local".

I worked in a Waterloo tech area, seldom went downtown, except walking to the library now and then.

Over the last year, I have realized how great my area is. We started going (and walking) to the symphony, regularly going (again, walking) to the KW|AG¹, and I have just generally walked much, much more. I have discovered parks all over, hidden lane-ways, interesting houses, buildings and gardens.

Part of this was just slowly becoming aware of our surroundings. Part of this was having a baby that finds walking calming. Part of this was switching to a job downtown. And part of this was biking.

Biking puts you right on the streets, exposed to the noises and smells² of downtown. In the car, I would have the radio on; when I walk, I often listen to podcasts. When I am cycling it is just me, the bike and the city. I expected to get bored taking the same short route every day, but there is something new to notice all the time. This morning I was thinking about what I will see if I keep biking this same route until the snow comes.

In late summer, the grasses along the tracks will turn yellow and seedy. In fall the huge maples on Louisa and Wellington will turn yellow and red. The small multiplex at Wellington and Duke is already almost done replacing all the balconies. The redevelopment of industrial spaces seems to be continuing along the tracks towards Krug, I am curious to see what the The Breithaupt Block will look like, and what companies will locate there. The industrial and commercial areas are in the midst of an exciting transition; only blocks away the residential areas seem so green and full of life.

I am excited about the rest of the summer and the fall. I am certainly a much bigger fan of downtown than I was before. Be it resolved that now when someone asks me where I live, I will say "Downtown Kitchener", rather than "Near Uptown Waterloo".

- Eric M
Google

---

1. I remembered the KW Art Gallery from public school as sort of a dusty shrine to Homer Watson. Maybe it was never really like that, but it definitely isn't now. Great contemporary shows, both local and touring.
2. Why can't I smell cakes being baked at the new cake place at Victoria and Duke? I am sure I wouldn't be able to resist if I could smell that on the way home. Or is it the wind direction?

Did the participants survive without their cars? The results may surprise you…

12 bikes. 12 riders. 12 cars left at home.

Did the participants survive without their cars?

The results may surprise you…

Join us for a challenge wrap-up presentation on

Wednesday, June 27^th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm

in Kitchener City Hall Rotunda.

Light refreshments will be provided.

You are welcome to drop in or leave early.

Click here to add this to your calendar (click open, save and close)

What are participants saying about the challenge?

·         "I can't remember the last time I felt so amazingly alive."

·         Since the beginning of June, I've lost 2 lbs and feel great physically.

·         I have a great support group. Thanks to all my peeps for encouraging me and following my blog posts.

·         After cycling in to work in the mornings, I feel awake, energized, and ready to start my day.

·         Shockingly, a side benefit to biking to work has been a decrease in my coffee intake (down from 6-8 cups to just 1-2 cups).

·         Is biking the new yoga? Who knows. All I know is that riding to work lets me clear my head and prepare for the day.

·         I can't say enough how much more energized I feel during the day.  I notice it in my productivity at work and at home.

·         So many positive things have come out of biking to work that I can't see myself ever stopping!

·         and lots more!

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Bike2Work Challenge, please feel free to contact Josh Joseph. I hope to see you out on Wednesday!

Regards,

Josh Joseph             

Transportation Demand Management Coordinator

City of Kitchener, Transportation Services

200 King Street West, Kitchener, ON

P.O. Box 1118  |  N2G 4G7

P: 519-741-3400 ext. 3167

F: 519-741-2747

TTY: 1-866-969-9994

E: josh.joseph@kitchener.ca

Bikers Still Need to Obey All Traffic Laws

On my bike ride in to work this morning I passed by a cyclist that was stopped on the other side of the road on Lancaster just past the Union St. traffic lights.   It looked like the cyclist had been  stopped by a Police Officer as the cruiser lights were flashing and it appeared that the officer was writing out a ticket.   There were no other vehicles or pedestrians, or anyone else around and the cyclist was just waiting on the sidewalk and did not look very happy.   I’m not sure what he did wrong, whether he was riding on the sidewalk or had gone through a red light, or what, but it was clear that he was getting a ticket for something.     

I Just wanted to remind other cyclists out there that when you are biking you are considered a vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act and you still have to obey all traffic laws just like the cars do.   Red lights...... that's a given - you just have to wait till it goes green.    Drivers are not expecting cyclists on the sidewalks and even if the driver does look before backing out of their laneway or turning at an intersection, cyclists move much faster than a pedestrian  and can catch the driver off guard.   The safest place for bikers is on the side of the road where drivers will be looking for other vehicles.   Now, having said that, cyclists need to take that extra bit of caution to make sure that they are seen by traffic in all directions, including traffic approaching them from behind.     I have seen a number of bikers out there dressed in black or with a dark back pack on and they just blend in and are hard to see.   I try to wear something bright while I am biking, to make me feel more confident that the other vehicles will see me and I will make it there safely.   

Terri R.

Warm. Warmer. Disco!

This is an updated (and slightly less harsh) version of a previous post I did for Waterloobikes.ca

PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE MY OBSERVATIONS ONLY!!!
This is my Top 6 List of road hogs! Sometimes it seems like a contest on who can come closest to me. Well, time to be named and shamed!! These are in order of furthest away from me as they go around me to the closest brush encounters:

#6 - School Buses

Big Yellow Menace

Don't get me wrong, they aren't terrible, but they have to make the list. For some reason these buses feel it necessary to speed around you wide, but cut back as quickly as possible, almost forgetting that the bus extends beyond the 3rd row of students. If the bus is empty? Even worse!

 #5 - Men in older model Mini-Vans
I don't know what it is, but this is a crazy phenomenon that I have witnessed countless times. Women in mini-vans steer well clear and give plenty of room, doesn't matter if the model is new or old. They seem to have respect. Toss a dude in that same seat and they turn into some sort of bitter crank-pot who is angry they have to drive said mini-van I suppose and therefore feel it necessary to take out their aggression on us poor cyclists by shading ever closer to the side we are on.

#4 - City Buses

GRRRRRT

I think every cyclist out there would agree that it is very dependent on the driver of each City transit behemouth whether or not you are going to feel death coming on.




#3 - Oversized Trucks
See"Monster Truck" but street legal sort-of. Anything with big tires and a big ego along with it are clear winners in the "i'm bigger than you and I can squish you so get outta my way" race. Clearly I, the cycle-commuter, am a much less superior being than you who drives a gigantic, nuclear weapon of a truck. Kudos to  you on coming ever so close.

#2 - Lowend mid-sized vehicles

Low End Indeed!

I'm not sure why, but this is a crazy phenomenon. I think it might have to do with the age of the drivers of these cars. Typically this is an older model Grand-Prix, Ford Taurus or Chevy Cavalier driven by a 20-30ish aged person. Usually females drive closer than males from my observation. It could be that the car is just so junky they figure that if they hit something they can just bang out the dent my head makes without much issue or they can just dump the car and get a new one for a cheap price.



 
#1 - Cabs
Without question, the WORST for coming close, for speeding by and for just plain being annoying. Do these guys drive all day and not actually look in their mirrors? Are they so sleep deprived that they cannot see me and my 2 red flashing lights and reflective jacket? I have had more close calls with these people than any of the above combined.

Some honorable mentions:
Dump Trucks and Cement Trucks: Not consistent, but can be too close if it is late in the day and they are probably on overtime.
Late Model SUV's and Pickup Trucks: Has to be a specific type of driver.'


-- Brendan L., Communitech