Cycling Infrastructure

Cycling Infrastructure. What exactly does that mean? Or include? Is that bike paths, bike trails, parking facilities, access to bikes? I believe all are important. Add to it a community that knows how to drive/treat cyclists.

Truly, most places I visit might have some of the above but often there is something missing. The reality is that a bike is a vehicle, and it shares the same roads as motor vehicles (of all sizes). That is not bad if those using the motor vehicles treat bikes as vehicles. That is not always the case.  

Recently a trip to Victoria BC showed me even more about bike infrastructure.  Bike paths – check. Not just cycling paths ‘for recreation,’ but cycling lanes and paths in town. Filled with people on bikes. For transportation, for sightseeing, for recreation. It was a great trip. I was able to see the city from a bike. It was a loaner, but it was quite sweet. A Ritchey Logic Cross bike. Thanks, Phil.  It was amazing how many people were walking, running, riding in the city, using the bike paths and patronizing the shops and restaurants. Tourists, locals – everyone was there. 

Once we had seen many sights, I was told we were going to the bike garage and would walk around some more. We pulled up to a structure, and two young people came out and cheerfully brought each of us a tag. The tag had a number on a clip, and they exchanged it for our bikes. I must say, I was riding a (borrowed) nice bike and felt a tinge of uneasiness in handing it over. My friend had no such hesitation. Since she lived there (and is married to Phil) and used this service often, I ‘went with it.’ Cost = zero Canadian dollars.

We wandered, ate, took pictures and then went back to get the bikes. Again, two smiling young people cheerfully greeted us and took our tags to retrieve our bikes. I looked at my friend and asked about a tip. She says, “no tip.” I am thinking I need to give the guy a twenty just for not stealing the bike. She assures me they are paid well, and a tip is not appropriate. Out comes my bike and off we go.  

Wow. How is that for a difference? Contrast that to the situations many that use bikes for any kind of transport (work, school, grocery, etc.) that need to find a location to lock up the bike and hope that it is still there when they return. The pain of carrying a huge lock/chain/whatever. A location that might be in the weather and/or far away from the final destination. A location that leaves the bike in the public to be admired (best case) or disrupted/damaged/stolen (worst case). A location that might or might not be available next trip.  

Quite a pleasant experience. Thank you Victoria, BC for a good experience – all the way around … as well as on the bike.  

Why do I write this? For a few reasons. First – to show what is possible. It is real and is happening. Many have not experienced anything like this. A wholly positive experience on the bike is not always available. For those of us who like to ride, we will take some of the negatives, but to have these positive environments is amazing. This kind of infrastructure is what gets more people on bikes. 

Simply put, “I can see how this might change a person’s mind regarding riding a bike as a real option.” Thank you to those that advocate and work to create a transportation network that is beyond car-centric. One that does not leave out other modes of transportation. It is greatly appreciated.