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  • Bicycles As Transport: Recreation Trails and Multi-Use Pathways

    Bicycles As Transport: Recreation Trails and Multi-Use Pathways

    This episode of Bicycles As Transport discusses Recreation Trails and Multi-Use Pathways.

    Recreation Trails and Multi-Use Pathways are similar in function and design. Recreation Trails are separated facilities, whereas Multi-Use Pathways run alongside roads. They are not the same as sidewalks, though they often replace them to accommodate both pedestrian and cycle traffic.

    Neither are governed by the Highway Traffic Act. However, Brampton’s bylaws are like other municipalities in Ontario. The expectation is that all active users keep to the right of the path. Within parklands, cyclists must to yield to pedestrian traffic and walk their bicycles at places of frequent pedestrian usage.

    More on the City of Brampton’s Recreational Trails Code of Conduct can be found here:
    http://www.brampton.ca/EN/residents/parks/Pages/Code-of-Conduct.aspx

    Brampton Park Lands By-Law can be found here:
    https://www.brampton.ca/EN/City-Hall/Bylaws/All%20Bylaws/Parkland.PDF

    If a Recreation Trail or Multi-Use Pathway ends at a road crossing, the Highway Traffic applies within the road allowance. This rule to walk your bicycle in a pedestrian crosswalk. Remember to check for car traffic at driveway entrances and exits.

    Remember to subscribe for future episodes!

     

    Disclaimer: “Bicycle As Transport” videos are for demonstration purposes to provide general information on lawfully using a bicycle. They are not CAN-BIKE instruction videos, are not comprehensive, nor provides specific advice or any guarantees. You must determine for yourself what your experience, training and competency level is with using a bicycle. The Bikeport by Kevin Montgomery disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.

    To arrange a CAN-BIKE course, please visit:
    http://bikeport.ca/courses/available-courses/

  • Grocery Shopping by Bike

    Grocery Shopping by Bike

    The Streets.mn website published an interesting post on Grocery Shopping by Bike.

    The author shares their personal experience on the topic, and includes these interesting  tips:

    Rule number one is you don’t want to try to get around with shopping bags hanging from your handle bars. You’re going to need a place to put stuff. A basket out front. A cargo rack and panniers in the back. Or go really crazy and get yourself a cargo bike. Get the right tool for the job. Source: Grocery Shopping by Bike

    Ready to get started on grocery shopping by bike? Check out some of the Cargo Bike options available through The Bikeport.

     

  • Fall Is Here. Night Comes Earlier. Make Sure You Have Lights!

    Fall is here!

    As sunset arrives earlier in the evening at this time of year, it’s important to make sure you have working lights on your bicycle. If you don’t have lights or are thinking of an upgrade, check out the Standard Equipment from The Bikeport.

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’View Standard Equipment’ link=’http://bikeport.ca/product-category/standard-equipment/’ target=”]View Bike Essentials[/button]

  • Bicycles As Transport: Carrying Things

    Bicycles As Transport: Carrying Things

    This episode of Bicycles As Transport discusses carrying things.

     

     

    Bicycles can transport people and their things. The City of Brampton, like many other municipalities, has a bylaw that requires bicycle riders to keep both hands on their handlebars — except for signalling. Equipping a bicycle to transport things allows the rider to comfortably maintain control and predictability.

    Front Racks

    Front racks can allow riders to carry an assortment of items, including unbagged items shopping bags. But, you’ll want to make sure those items are secured to the rack. This prevents them from shuffling, settling or falling, which could cause an interruption to your trip.

    Consideration of weight capacity is also important. Different front racks can accommodate various amounts of weight. One should also consider how much weight they are comfortable carrying on the front of the bike, while still being able to manoeuvre.

    Rear Racks

    Rear racks can allow riders to carry heavier items and accommodate attachments such as pannier bags. It’s important to remember that while rear racks might be able to take a fair amount weight, the pannier bag you’ve attached might not.

    Bonus: Cargo Bikes

    Not shown in the video, cargo bikes are designed to move much larger and heavier objects than a standard bicycle. Many models have a weight capacity that’s heavier than many people would be comfortable trying to ride with. In these instances, many models of cargo bikes come with e-assist if you feel like you could use the help.

    Remember to subscribe for future episodes!

     

    Disclaimer: “Bicycle As Transport” videos are for demonstration purposes to provide general information on lawfully using a bicycle. They are not CAN-BIKE instruction videos, are not comprehensive, nor provides specific advice or any guarantees. You must determine for yourself what your experience, training and competency level is with using a bicycle. The Bikeport by Kevin Montgomery disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.

    To arrange a CAN-BIKE course, please visit:
    http://bikeport.ca/courses/available-courses/

  • Subscribe to The Bikepost

    Subscribe to The Bikepost

    The Bikeport is happy to announce that you can now have monthly updates from The Bikeport sent to your inbox. Simply subscribe to The Bikepost with your email!

    Along with monthly updates, daily emails on particular topics such as cycle training lessons can be subscribed to as updates become available. Email updates to The State of Cycling will soon be available also.

    Subscribe now to be kept in the loop!

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Subscribe To The Bikepost’ link=’//bikeport.ca/subscribe-to-the-bikepost/’ target=”]

     

  • Introducing The State of Cycling in Brampton

    Introducing The State of Cycling in Brampton

    After months of research and number crunching, The Bikeport is happy to offer a new dataset that describes The State of Cycling in Brampton.

     

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’The State of Cycling’ link=’//bikeport.ca/the-state-of-cycling/’ target=”]

     

    The State of Cycling consolidates many data points, including:

    [unordered_list style=’big_circle’]

    [/unordered_list]

     

    The Bikeport hopes to bring together other interesting insights through The State of Cycling page. Be sure to check in periodically!

     

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’The State of Cycling’ link=’//bikeport.ca/the-state-of-cycling/’ target=”]

     

  • Winter Holiday Gift Ideas

    Winter Holiday Gift Ideas

    Data from the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation suggests that “winter bicycle traffic…is just over one fifth summertime levels“.

    Even if you don’t plan on continuing to use your bicycle through the winter, The Bikeport can help keep you keep busy, with books! Great as winter holiday gift ideas or just as a distraction until warmer weather returns. What would you like to read?

     

    [WooZoneProducts asin=”1771600489,0525429840,159726573X”][/WooZoneProducts]

     

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’See More Literature’ link=’//bikeport.ca/product-category/urbanist-literature/’ target=”]

  • Lack of transport retailers a barrier to everyday biking

    Lack of transport retailers a barrier to everyday biking

    ‘While many reasons have been given for that falloff, we firmly believe the theory that most manufacturers and retailers are selling “the wrong bikes for the wrong reason.” Nowhere is that more apparent than here in Vancouver, where manufacturers, retailers, advocates, and city officials continue to conflate the distinct worlds of sport and transportation cycling, to the detriment of the latter.’

    Source: Lack of transport retailers a barrier to everyday biking in Vancouver

     

    The Bikeport recognizes this problem in Brampton also. That’s why the online offering of bicycles and accessories is organized by purpose and function.

     

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’See The Bikeport Shop’ link=’//bikeport.ca/shop/’ target=”]

     

  • Clocks have changed. It’s darker sooner. Make sure you have lights!

    Clocks have changed. It’s darker sooner. Make sure you have lights!

    It’s now November, and clocks have reverted from daylight savings time for 2017.

    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.

     

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’See All Standard Equipment’ link=’https://bikeport.ca/product-category/standard-equipment/’ target=”]

  • Bicycles As Transport: Communication

    Bicycles As Transport: Communication

    This episode of Bicycles As Transport discusses communication.

     

     

    Signalling

    Signals are used to indicate to others what we intend to do (HTA 142). There are 3 signals to know:

     

    [ordered_list]

    1. Left turn
      Extend left arm and hand straight outward
    2. Right turn
      Extend right arm and hand straight outward
    3. Stop/Slow Down
      extend left arm out, bend the elbow at 90 degrees, forearm pointed down with hand extended

    [/ordered_list]

     

    Body Language

    Body language can offer guidance and context regarding our intended actions. Being “assertive” means being decisive and firm, and avoiding ambiguity. Stopping with feet firmly planted on the ground is an example of clearly communicating “I have stopped here”. Placing a foot on a pedal suggests an indication that you intend to start moving again.

     

    Signalling Sequence

    • Shoulder check, in direction you want to move to, to see that way is clear
    • Signal in the same direction
    • Final shoulder check to ensure way is still clear before maneuvering

    Check before slowing down or stopping also.

    Rule of thumb: Check of the shoulder of the arm you’ll be signalling with.

     

    Remember to subscribe for future episodes!

     

    Disclaimer: “Bicycle As Transport” videos are for demonstration purposes to provide general information on lawfully using a bicycle. They are not CAN-BIKE instruction videos, are not comprehensive, nor provides specific advice or any guarantees. You must determine for yourself what your experience, training and competency level is with using a bicycle. The Bikeport by Kevin Montgomery disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.

    To arrange a CAN-BIKE course, please visit:
    http://bikeport.ca/courses/available-courses/