STORIES & NEWS
Dos and Don'ts of Biking in Vancouver
As a long-time resident and someone with a passion for cycling who both bikes and drives in this city, nothing is more annoying and frightening as a cyclist and a driver than witnessing someone else cycling without care. This post will outline some techniques for bikers to stay safe in Vancouver.
As a long-time resident and someone with a passion for cycling who both bikes and drives in this city, nothing is more annoying and frightening as a cyclist and a driver than witnessing someone else cycling without care. This post will outline some techniques for bikers to stay safe in Vancouver.
The Dos:
Lock Your Bikes Up the Proper Way
Do invest in good bike locks. Notice how this is plural? That's because you need more than one bike lock and not the flimsy wish.com kind. Bike thieves in Vancouver are always hard at work, and they take their jobs very seriously. The proper procedure of bike locking demands at least two strong locks. The first lock is the most crucial; you must lock the body and your front tire to the bike rack. This will prevent anyone from detaching and stealing either your front wheel or the body of your bike. Locking only your front wheel would make your bike vulnerable to detachment, leaving you with only a wheel. The next thing you want to do is to lock the back tire to the body of your bike. Especially if you have a popular bike model, as many people steal bike tires to use on other stolen bikes that are missing tires. More often than not, people are not taking their bike locking seriously enough, resulting in their bikes being stolen.
If you want extra security for your bike, you should look into where our Bike Valet’s seasonal locations are by clicking here. Just drop off your bike, get your ticket, and go about your day with peace of mind that your bike, or anything that rolls, is safe. The Bike Valet also has a new layer of protection by partnering with Optimum Security, so you don’t need to worry about someone stealing your gear. Click here to see what events the Bike Valet will also be at!
Use the Right Lane
Make sure to follow the proper bike lane procedures. For instance, don't bike on a highway. Familiarize yourself with the locations that are good for biking and know the streets. Not all streets are the same; some are much quieter than others. Choose the streets more catered to bikers or streets with separate bike lanes. Avoid shared lanes when possible. Streets like the 49th are shared lanes that tend to get quite dangerous due to careless drivers and heavy traffic. Remember, they are in a metal box; you are not.
Stay Visible and Avoid Dark Streets at Night
This should be a no-brainer but know to have adequate night lights if you are biking at late hours. There are a lot of popular bike lanes with terrible night lighting to protect the ecosystem and nature. Areas like, for instance, North and West Vancouver, have really poor lights at night to ensure wildlife's habitats are not disturbed. It’s quite difficult for drivers to see you if you are wearing full black with no light. A good rule of thumb is to wear something reflective, usually on your riding shirt or carrying belt, and have backlights turned on. Avoid wearing dark colours, especially at night.
The Don’ts
Okay, now that we've talked about what to do as a biker in Vancouver, let's start talking about what NOT to do, which is just as important, if not more. There are tons of tips and tricks to ensure your biking experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible. Be sure to look out for things to avoid while on the road riding.
Focus on the Road, NOT your Music
We all love a good jam while riding, but please, do not blast the music with noise cancellation turned on. It’s crucial to listen to the street noise for your safety. Always maintain a healthy balance between biking and listening. A good playlist helps with the ride but can distract you and shift your focus away from the road. Using bone-conduction open-ear headphones or headphones with active ambient noise is better. The perfect balance between hearing your music and the road is a fine line; best to ensure you hear the road more than you do your music. Of course, it also depends on where you are biking. If you are biking in a very secluded area with low traffic, the situation changes compared to biking on a shared road.
Don't Go Riding Without Checking Tire Pressure
One of the worst things that could happen while riding would be your tire running out of air in the middle of your ride. The bike tires must have adequate pressure on both the front and back. A good rule for bike pressure is that it should be very stiff when applying pressure on them and that no air is lost. Ultimately, it depends entirely on personal preference, but it’s always better to have more air than not enough. Road bikes with 700C wheels demand higher air pressure than mountain bikes, depending on your bike model.
Avoid Bad Roads
Some streets in Vancouver, especially the more popular roads, have inadequate infrastructures for biking (such as Main and 2nd from personal experience) with far too many potholes. Especially for commuting city bikes, these potholes can result in a lot of inconveniences by causing flat tires. Out of the seven flat tires I've ever had, six times were caused by the same intersection on Main and 2nd. This one is especially applicable for city bikes with thinner tires, as those are far more susceptible to flat tires than mountain bikes. Be sure to look out for potholes on the ground for city bikers, as you definitely do not want to push your luck (don't be like me). Mountain bikes, on the other hand, don't have too much to worry about.
These are just some pieces of advice for bikers, the common dos and don'ts. Biking is both a fun and convenient activity, but please be careful as it does carry a certain degree of risks that many underestimate. Remember, safety always comes first!
Written by: Raymond Wen
Journey of Age: Navigating Transportation for Seniors in BC
One of our key initiatives, Seniors on the Move (SOTM), focuses on expanding transportation options for older adults in BC, enabling them to continue leading fulfilling lives even after they stop driving. We understand the emotional and practical challenges of ceasing to drive, and we aim to facilitate a smooth transition to a new chapter of mobility.
We want to highlight the vital role played by non-profit organizations like United Way BC and BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation), along with our community partners, in assisting seniors in finding environmentally friendly alternative transportation options. Through initiatives such as carpools and community shuttle buses, we strive to support seniors in maintaining their mobility and independence while being mindful of the environment.
One of our key initiatives, Seniors on the Move (SOTM), focuses on expanding transportation options for older adults in BC, enabling them to continue leading fulfilling lives even after they stop driving. We understand the emotional and practical challenges of ceasing to drive, and we aim to facilitate a smooth transition to a new chapter of mobility.
In honour of BC Seniors' Week 2023, which took place from June 4-10, United Way BC and BEST collaborated with various organizations, including Ask Friendship Society, South Vancouver Neighborhood House, Richmond Care, Richmond Gives, Seniors Services Society of BC, Dunbar Residents' Association, West End Community Centre Association, Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society, Westside Seniors Hub, SHARE Family and Community Services, Brightside Community Homes Foundation, and Collingwood Neighborhood House. We are grateful for the generous support from Vancouver Coastal Health and Vantage Point. Together, we aim to profile and celebrate community champions who advocate for alternative forms of transportation!
Visit our website to see our posters and read the inspiring stories of seniors featured throughout June and July by clicking here. Not only that, but keep an eye out for our posters around the city, community libraries, senior serving agencies, and more! Here’s an example:
David Dunne’s poster
If you know a remarkable senior in our community who deserves recognition, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us with their story, and they could be featured in our campaign. Let's celebrate their achievements and amplify their voices! Thank you for your ongoing support as we work towards creating a more sustainable and inclusive transportation system for seniors in our community!
Our work doesn’t end there! SOTM has been having some other exciting things going on, and we are eager to share them with you!
Back in March, SOTM started Systems Mapping, a collaborative mobilization effort among partners in British Columbia with the shared goal of mobility and transportation justice, particularly those from equity-deserving groups. Facilitated by BEST and United Way BC, this participatory approach involves a series of strategic visioning sessions that collect voices and visions from representatives across BC to catalyze systemic social innovation toward mobility for all. We aim to form a community-informed collective path toward a user-centred, equitable, and well-integrated mobility and transportation system that caters to older people of all abilities, regions, and backgrounds in BC.
The hotter weather has quickly approached us and BEST is working on a solution for our seniors. With Cool Riders, we’re identifying “hotspots” in Vancouver to save seniors from the heat and transporting them to cooling centres during extreme heat events. By collaborating with local senior serving agencies, we hope for Cool Riders to be a pilot project and spread to neighbouring communities. Email us at SOTM@best.bc.ca to stay up to date with this initiative!
BEST has partnered with TransLink to offer transit training workshops specifically designed for seniors and equity-seeking populations. These workshops will help participants become familiar with the transportation systems in Vancouver, learn how to plan and gain confidence in using public transit. That’s not all! The training will also include excursions, allowing participants to put their newfound knowledge into practice while exploring the city! With the support and guidance of knowledgeable instructors, older adults can feel empowered to navigate Vancouver's transit system with ease and independence. Want to join? The next workshop is July 19th from 10:30 AM to 12 PM at South Granville Seniors Centre! Email us at SOTM@best.bc.ca if you’re interested!
R.O.V.I.N.G. (Raising Our Voices in Support of Non-Ageist Ways of Getting Around) is a short documentary presented by BEST through our SOTM initiative, which highlights challenges and opportunities for seniors' transportation in BC. R.O.V.I.N.G. demonstrates how transportation options play a key role in giving lives meaning and purpose, and how they contribute to health and well-being. Our goal is to create a platform for these important discussions to take place and to gather feedback that can help guide future advocacy efforts. We are committed to improving senior transportation and believe engaging in an open and honest dialogue is an essential first step. Missed the last few screenings? No worries! Our plan for this year is to provide community centres, libraries, and senior centres with the opportunity to watch our documentary and engage in meaningful community dialogues about the needs and challenges of senior transportation. Interested organizations can contact us directly at SOTM@best.bc.ca and we will provide the documentary along with a thoughtfully designed questionnaire.
If you are a senior or know a senior, feel free to join our Seniors On The Move Facebook group! We want to build a community where seniors or those caring for seniors can hear more about our initiatives and share anything they want as well. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seniorsonthemove.ca