Despite my best efforts: Getting my First Aid recertified, getting my bicycle repaired, while at the same time trying to balance my time with working in Papineau Homes, something wonderful has been added to my plate.
The Bikeport by Kevin Montgomery is a side business of mine that I manage as best as I can with the time that I have. However, with twins now on the way, I’m forced to make a pivot.
I’m pausing the offering of CAN-BIKE lessons indefinitely.
My wife and I need to focus on preparing for the arrival of two new babies and planning a move to Northern Ontario at the end of the year. It could be some time before The Bikeport offers CAN-BIKE lessons again. And, if and when they are offered, it’ll likely be in the vicinity of North Bay, Ontario.
Many have been contacting me, wondering when lessons will be offered again. Up until recently, it was my intent to move forward with them. I regret that this is no longer possible.
My thanks and my apologies to everyone that has been waiting so patiently for better news. I wish you a pleasant summer.
Bicycle lanes are typically delineated using a solid white edge line, marked by two white symbols: A diamond and a bicycle, used in conjunction with a Reserved Bicycle Lane sign.
Bike lanes are reserved for people using bicycles, creating a separate space for their right-of-way, separate from motor vehicles, allowing both modes to operate safely and efficiently.
The beginning of the Vodden Street bike lane at the Etobicoke Creek Trail, looking east over the Etobicoke Creek.
Bike lanes are marked by signage and road markings, as shown here.
What Is “Right-Of-Way”?
The Ontario Highway Traffic Act makes reference to something called “right-of-way”. People might be used to hearing language like this in the context of their fundamental rights (and freedoms), which are not the same thing. The Ontario HTA doesn’t guarantee anyone right-of-way. That’s not how it works.
Right-of-way is an old concept, and the key part of this language isn’t “right”, it’s “way”. If you hear language like “make way” or “give way”, this language determines who is expected to take the action of yielding to make way to whomever has right-of-way. Another way to look at it is: Whose turn is it?
Right-of-way helps to establish common expectations so that people are able to move safely. It also expects courtesy, to anticipate people making mistakes, and to be prepared to yield when the way, or direction of travel, is no longer safe.
“But you need to do more than just obey the rules. You must care about the safety of others on the road. Everyone is responsible for avoiding collisions. Even if someone else does something wrong, you may be found responsible for a collision if you could have done something to avoid it.”
“And you must be courteous. Courteous driving means giving other drivers space to change lanes, not cutting them off. And, signaling your turns and lane changes properly.”
“For example, if someone enters an intersection ahead of you, even if you should have been the first to go ahead, you are now expected to yield to that vehicle. If you don’t, you could be charged in any resulting crash.”
Sometimes, people forget or are confused about the rules of what they are allowed to do with their cars in a reserved bicycle lane. The most common errors are:
Parking In A Bike Lane
A car incorrectly parked in a bicycle reserved lane.
It’s common for cities to allow car owners to park their vehicles on the road. However, this is a privilege that is not always available. Bike lanes are not spaces to park cars, they are spaces reserved for bicycle use.
Using A Bike Lane As A Turn Lane
In Ontario, standards for bike lanes have been evolving quickly. Sometimes this means that a person can expect to see slightly different markings around bike lanes, which can mean different things. Some bike lanes follow an older design that allows cars to encroach into the lane to allow for a right-turn.
A driver correctly encroaching into a bicycle reserved lane where permitted and lines are dashed, to make a right turn.
The more modern designs do not have this accommodation. Solid white lines and signs now direct drivers to yield to cyclists at intersections. It’s important for people operating cars and bicycles to know the difference, and what to expect at each intersection.
Drivers incorrectly encroach into a bicycle reserved lane, marked by solid white lines, to make a right turn.
Signage indicating right-of-way hierarchy: Cyclists yield to encroaching transit vehicles (for boarding and egress of passengers); Drivers yield to cyclists before completing a right turn.
Bicycles as transport is becoming more popular in the GTA, including Brampton. Bike lane design in Canada is starting better align with the best practices of cycling nations like Denmark and the Netherlands. As designs iterate and improve, it’s important for everyone to update their knowledge of how to use road space safely.
The ongoing pandemic continued to make 2021 a challenging year for The Bikeport. However, bicycle training was modified to be delivered safely, modeled after Dutch cycle training lessons. Amazon Associate Advertising revenue continued to perform reasonably well.
The Bikeport will be donating an approximate value of $227.17.
While the challenges of the 2021 pandemic continue, bicycles have remained an essential means of transport. With another pandemic year coming to a close, we again responsibly celebrate this festive season.
Looking for gift-giving events throughout the month of December? Check out these curated gift shopping ideas from The Bikeport, which can be gift wrapped and mailed safely to your loved ones.
As an Amazon Associate, The Bikeport by Kevin Montgomery earns from qualifying purchases.
It’s November. The clocks have reverted from daylight savings time for 2021. It’s dark before
Get Lit
If you are continuing to cycle, you’ll notice that it’s now darker, sooner. Make sure you have working lights to illuminate your way! If you don’t have lights or find that they’re not quite up to snuff, you can view a buy new ones through The Bikeport.
Needless to say: This COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging.
Some areas are re-opening schools for in-person learning this September. You might be considering using your bicycle to avoid crowded buses, or just to enjoy some much sought-after fresh air.
In any case, make sure your bicycle is ready to take back to school by taking a look at these locks, bells, and lights.
Learn how to bike to work and school in April 2021!
The Bikeport offers CAN-BIKE courses for cycling education, including learning how to fit your bicycle and riding in different scenarios. Learn traffic handling skills and the rules of the road for your bike commute or shopping trips!
Class instruction has a focus on urban cycling transportation purposes, such as commuting, shopping, and taking kids to school.
As with many, many other businesses, 2020 was a challenge for The Bikeport. Between the COVID-19 pandemic forcing declarations of emergencies and stay-at-home orders, to online service providers changing their terms of service with direct impacts on The Bikeport’s automated social media service delivery, to devastating personal news for Kevin Montgomery, it was difficult to offer meaningful service.
Nonetheless, The Bikeport was able to make some revenue. Check out the 2020 Report for details.
This Valentines Day, while staying at home to protect the ones you love, learn more about how to love and build a city and streets that support bicycles as transport.
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