COLE THOMPSON 

Commuting by bicycle is a gritty affair; however, common sense and good preparation can alleviate these stresses while simultaneously representing the cycling community in a positive light.

Every September is the same: masses of students return for the fall semester, creating a flurry of activity throughout the campus’ roads and pathways. For cyclists, navigating these routes can be exceptionally intimidating, with motorists and pedestrians creating a wealth of potential dangers.

As someone who only commutes by bike and who has almost five years of experience in the bicycle industry, I am fully aware of the many obstacles that commuters face on a daily basis. From potholes to narrow streets to inconsiderate roadway users, cyclists have their work cut out for them.

If you want to ride to campus, you’ll undoubtedly encounter potential dangers of varying degrees, regardless of where your commute begins. Awareness about how to approach these situations is key.

Motor vehicles are, unsurprisingly, one of the greatest sources of stress for cyclists. This is in no way a slight upon those who operate them, as I have found the majority of motorists to be more than accommodating. However, automobiles by their very nature are intimidating due to their speed and size.

As a cyclist, always operate as far to the right side of the road as possible to allow vehicles to pass. This may seem obvious, but on far too many occasions I’ve witnessed cyclists pedalling down the centre of a lane in an assertion of their right to road space.

Newsflash: despite what you may think about your cycling abilities, you are not as fast as a motor vehicle.

There will be occasions when motor vehicles can’t pass a cyclist due to road width or oncoming traffic. As long as you’re making efforts to be accommodating, there is nothing to be concerned about, but if you’re being intentionally unaccommodating towards other users, then there’s a problem. While these individuals may consider themselves cycling martyrs, in actuality they only breed contempt towards the cycling community amongst other users of the road.

The reality is that most motorists also feel somewhat uncomfortable when passing cyclists. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to motion a vehicle by. This lets the operator know that you’re aware of their presence and are prepared to have them pass you.

Signalling any turning intentions is also important at intersections and — if a motorist has been accommodating — feel free to give them my personal favourite signal: the courtesy wave.

The parked automobile can also be an extremely dangerous obstacle for cyclists. For students, this is never more realized than in the multiple passenger drop-off sites throughout campus, most notably along Wiggins Road across from the Health Sciences Building.

The opening of a car door can turn into a horror story when it crosses a cyclist’s path. Keep a hand on your brake lever and look into the vehicle’s side-view mirror. If there is a driver in the vehicle, prepare to hit the brakes. For motorists, take the extra second to check for cyclists before opening your door.

On campus, pedestrians become the biggest cause of concern for cyclists. In my experience, it is much easier and safer for both cyclists and pedestrians to walk your bicycles throughout campus when the pathways are busy.

I cringe when I see cyclists weaving through crowds of people at intimidating speeds. This is exceptionally dangerous and makes pedestrians feel very uncomfortable, which, once again, only casts the cycling community in a negative light. If you choose to ride throughout campus, do so in a way that keeps all pathway users safe, even if it means adding a few extra minutes to your commute.

As students, we have the privilege of being a well-recognized body of people who can affect serious change. For those who choose to cycle, we have a responsibility towards ourselves and other users of the road.

When we operate in a way that casts the cycling community in a positive light and accommodates other users of the road, we have the ability to garner support from non-cyclists. This is the key to creating a better cycling experience.