Bike commute boot camp

The Capital Region is no Copenhagen when it comes to bicycle commuting but the summer ushers in the busiest season on the road for bike commuters in Alberta. Many commuters have dusted off their bikes and will now share the road with cars on their way to and from work for the next few months. Because of the risk of accidents, in which the bike rider is usually the big loser, it is important for both drivers and cyclists to be cautious to prevent injuries and fatalities and to share the road responsibly.

I found there was no better way to learn these practical rules of the road than to try a little two-wheeled commuting myself. I partnered with veteran St. Albert cyclist Mark Fraser to study the art of the bicycle commute. Fraser has been commuting to work for many years – even in the winter – and competes in triathlons in his spare time.

Fraser's daily commute takes him 20 kilometres each way from his home in St. Albert to his workplace in downtown Edmonton. He agreed to allow me to tag along and to teach me a thing or two about the basics of the bicycle commute.

Before getting started, I took my previously neglected and unused bike to get a safety check. My bike had weathered a few winters on an Edmonton apartment balcony and it was in no shape for riding. After a long inspection, the tires were filled, the brakes were checked and the bike was authorized as safe for travel.

Fraser and I met downtown by Canada Place to begin our lesson. It took me an LRT trip and a bus ride to get to the meeting place because I was too nervous to get started biking alone.

After a quick discussion on bicycle safety and etiquette we were ready to pedal off towards St. Albert.

“You need a good bike and proper equipment – that includes clothing, a helmet and water,” Fraser said.

My initial nerves subsided when I realized biking wasn't all too complicated. I hadn't forgotten how to ride a bike and traffic rules were very familiar.

“As a cyclist you are expected to follow the rules of the road,” Fraser said. “It applies to you as a cyclist. It works both ways. Motorists expect cyclists to follow the rules so it's predictable.”

Fraser's route includes a mixture of roads and shared trails. Sometimes we sped down the shoulder of a busy highway, while other times we cruised along a shared pedestrian pathway. The Capital Region has many options for bike commuters, all of which can be found on both the City of Edmonton and St. Albert websites.

Halfway through our ride, as we are tucked against a corner waiting at a red light, Fraser turned and asked if I have ever heard of “dooring.”

Dooring, I learn, is when a cyclist collides with a parked car's open driver's side door. This had happened to his friend a few weeks before and he was feeling extra cautious of the parked vehicles on our route. The way to avoid this is to ride a metre or two away from the parked vehicles and always look to see if there is a driver in the car. Drivers should also always do a shoulder check before opening car doors, especially when parked on a bicycle route.

“I always expect people to try and hit me, not purposely, but because they don't look,” Fraser said.

It can be fatal when cars and bikes collide during their commutes. The Edmonton Commuter Society started installing Ghost Bikes in The Capital Region – bikes painted all white and placed at the site where a cyclist has been killed. It is a sombre reminder to safely share the road. Since 2007 it has installed 16 ghost bikes. Fraser said the most dangerous thing a biker can do is not follow the rules.

“A big thing is becoming unpredictable,” he said. “Cyclists not stopping at a stop sign or going through a four-way stop can be dangerous. A lot of people just don't know the rules of the road.”

Although I was aware of the potential dangers, the ride was very relaxing. Our 16-km route seemed intimidating at first, but by the halfway mark I was enjoying meandering through old neighbourhoods and listening to Fraser tell me stories about the houses he rides past every day.

Sometimes on a Friday afternoon he will explore the neighbourhoods he rides through. He will take an extra hour or two to get home and allow time for a bit of adventure by exploring back alleys and older communities.

Fraser says his commute is always very relaxing (even in the middle of a snowy cold winter) and is never in much of a hurry. He always leaves enough time to enjoy his ride.

By the time we arrived at St. Albert Place to wrap up our journey I was captivated by the commute. I wanted to continue on my cycling career.

“Find yourself a nice safe route,” Fraser said. “Start small. Do it on a weekend and do a practice run and see what you think.”

Fraser thinks what stops many commuters from getting started is the distance they feel they need to travel to start riding. He recommends starting with smaller commutes and working up to a longer commute to work.

For those bike enthusiasts in St. Albert who are wary of starting their own road biking career, Cranky's Bike Shop offers some help getting started. It has casual group road rides on Sundays and Mondays to help cyclists enjoy the open road with a bit of guidance and support.

Since my ride with Fraser I have taken my bike out three times. I have been starting small, just riding through my neighbourhood. I hope to be able to work my way up to a longer commute and possibly start my own road biking career.

For more information on Cranky's road rides visit www.crankys.ca