Promoting winter biking

HEATHER MORRISON
News Writer

University of Saskatchewan students are all too aware that it takes a special person to survive a Saskatchewan winter. It doesn’t matter if it is -50 C and there are Himalayan-worthy snow piles; everyone must get his or her longjohn-covered butt to school. Because not only is school still happening, but the material covered is going to be on the final.

Resilience is the key to survival in this city, but it helps to have a few other hereditary traits, such as the tendency to take pride in things like toque-hair and a penchant for crazyness.

This prairie-specific genetic recipe is what a group of cycling enthusiasts are counting on to make their event a success.

On Feb. 7, Saskatonians will come together for Ice Cycle: the Coldest Bike Parade on the Planet, and as organizers flaunt on their website, “Yes it’s cold. Yes it’s crazy. And yes it’s going to be a lot of fun!”

The event begins at noon at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market with a winter cycling workshop. The bike parade takes place at 1 p.m. and will be followed by live music and hot drinks.

“Ice Cycle is an event to celebrate winter biking,” explained toxicology student Alexis Harvey-Schafer, one of the organizers. “We want to raise public awareness that it is possible, and fun, to bike all year long. Ice Cycle is a celebration for those who already winter cycle and a chance for those who have always wanted to try it to do it in a safe, fun environment. It’s for all ages and abilities.”

Though cycling may seem like the very last item on one’s winter itinerary, Harvey-Schafer maintains a positive “try it, you’ll like it” attitude.

“Biking in the winter is very exhilarating. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors and get your heart pumping. By the time I reach my destination, I am always warm and feel great about having gotten out there to ride.”

Biking in the winter is very exhilarating. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors and get your heart pumping.
Alexis Harvey-Schafer,
Ice Cycle organizer

While Harvey-Schafer stressed the importance of dressing for the weather and that studded tires add greatly to the safety of a ride, the main difficulty is the company on the road, she explained.

“You do have to be very concerned and considerate of other vehicle traffic. It is important to acknowledge that the cars around you are travelling at a much faster speed, and try as much as possible to allow a car that is following behind to pass in a safe manner. This might mean that you have to pull out of the rut in a road to let a vehicle pass, or dismount your bike and walk on the sidewalk on really busy streets.”

Room on Saskatoon streets is a concern to many bikers.

Last fall, as a public display of thanks for the addition of numerous bike lanes and shared lanes, nearly 400 cyclists participated in an “i heart bike lanes” parade.

Building on that momentum, Harvey-Schafer hopes that Ice Cycle will be another example of positive reinforcement and encourage the city to continue improving conditions for cyclists.

“The City of Saskatoon is making improvements, working toward being a bike-friendly city,” he said, “but there is much more that needs to be done to ensure that everyone feels safe as a cyclist.”

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photo: Raisa Pezderic