The Bikeport

Category: News

  • 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/

  • Bicycles As Transport: Standard Equipment

    Bicycles As Transport: Standard Equipment

    This episode of Bicycles As Transport reviews equipment that is required on all bicycles in Ontario under the Highway Traffic Act. (HTA 62, HTA 75)

     

    Front of Bike

    These items are required on the front of the bike:

    [unordered_list style=’big_circle’]

    • White headlight
    • White reflective strips on front forks
    • Bell, horn, or gong on handlebars

    [/unordered_list]

     

    Rear of Bike

    These items are required on the rear of the bike:

    [unordered_list style=’big_circle’]

    • Red reflector OR red light
    • Red reflective strips on rear stays (25cm long, 2.5cm wide)

    [/unordered_list]

     

    Many bike shops sell their bicycles under a recreational lens. As such, they don’t all sell their bicycles ready for transport use with all the necessary equipment required by law. However, you can find them 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=”]

     

    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/

  • Announcing: The “Bicycles As Transport” YouTube Playlist

    Announcing: The “Bicycles As Transport” YouTube Playlist

    The Bikeport is happy to announce a new YouTube playlist: Bicycles As Transport.

    The Bicycles As Transport YouTube playlist will contain a series of videos demonstrating how to use a bicycle as a transport tool. Each episode will be in 2 parts. The first in standard video format, describing what the episode is about. The second, filmed in 360 degrees, will show what is being described.

    I welcome any comments you have. If I think there’s a topic to be addressed, I’ll consider creating an episode on it.

    Remember to subscribe!

     

     

     

    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/

  • Cycle Training Is Back!

    Cycle Training Is Back!

    The Bikeport is happy to announce that cycle training is available once again!

    After some upgrades, the website has been stable for more than a week. There are more updates to come. But in the meantime, the moratorium on cycle training lessons is lifted.

    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’See Available Courses’ link=’/courses/available-courses/’ target=”]

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  • Looking For Something To Read? Check Out These Books!

    Looking For Something To Read? Check Out These Books!

    The Bikeport continues to work on improving the website and revising its program offering. In the meantime, why not take a look at some of the books that inspire The Bikeport?
     
    The Bikeport has a curated collection of books spanning many categories. Ranging from: Architecture, to Professional and Technical, and Urban and Land Use Planning.
     
    You can check them all out now on The Bikeport website:
    [button size=’large’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Check Out Some Books’ link=’/product-category/urban-literature/’ target=”]
  • The Website is Back! …Sort of.

    The Website is Back! …Sort of.

    Hi everyone!

    If you missed the most recent Bikeport post(s) on social media: The Bikeport website was down for about a week, a few weeks ago. It’s been revived and has been stable for about a week, but is still running a little slow and buggy.

    Therefore, The Bikeport is applying a moratorium on cycle training lessons for the time being. Instead, For the next little while, Kevin will be putting his web design experience to work. On top of working on a long backlog of website improvements, The Bikeport will be releasing some exciting data and working on new educational material through the rest of summer and autumn.

    Stay tuned!

  • Bike Month Commute Tips

    Bike Month Commute Tips

    Bike Month is well underway in Brampton, and across Ontario. It’s not too late to get in on the fun! If you’re already familiar with how to ride a bicycle, The Bikeport offers some tips to help you use your bicycle as a commuting tool with online resources available to show the basics of handling a bicycle on shared vehicle, recreation, and cycling-exclusive infrastructure.

     

    Bike Maintenance Checklist

    Is your bike rattling, squeaking, or feel tougher to move than it should? Check out this Maintenance Checklist before starting your ride.

    [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Read More’ link=’/courses/basics-bicycle-maintenance-checklist/’ target=”]

     

    Bike Handling Skills

    Before deciding to ride in mixed traffic, you should assess how comfortable you are with your bike handling.

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    Traffic Skills

    Feel like you’re rocking the bike handling? Awesome! Here are some basics that you’ll need to know about leaving room to maneuver, being visible and predictable, and how to communicate with other road users.

    [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Read More’ link=’/courses/basics-traffic-skills/’ target=”]

     

    Ontario Highway Traffic Act

    A bicycle is a defined vehicle type under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. There are behaviours expected of people riding bicycles, just as of people driving cars.

    [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Read More’ link=’/courses/ontario-highway-traffic-act/’ target=”]

     

    Brampton Trails Code of Conduct, and Regulations

    The City of Brampton has some more bylaws and conduct of behaviour people are expected to know when cycling.

    [button size=’tiny’ color=” background_color=” font_size=” line_height=” font_style=” font_weight=” text=’Read More’ link=’/courses/brampton-trails-code-conduct-regulations/’ target=”]

     

    If you’re considering more in-depth instruction, get in touch with The Bikeport to ask about CAN-BIKE lessons.

     

  • It’s Bike Month!

    It’s Bike Month!

    June is Bike Month!

    Bike Month 2017 kicked off on Monday, May 29 and continues until the end of June with hundreds of interesting and fun things to do, including rides, guided bike tours, festivals, art shows, film screenings, and so much more.

    The Bikeport will be participating by helping out with a Bike Rodeo at CeleBrampton, and will be one of the experts presenting at the “Bike Brampton” event at the Brampton Library giving advice about bicycle safety and your rights and the laws that govern cyclists.