#irideYEG – Dave Hall

What is your commute like?

30 km – River valley, bike routes and a few streets. Thankfully, my company has installed a bike rack inside for me and other cyclists.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

It’s growing to be a top notch foodie city with a good standard of living.

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

I’ve been riding since I was 6 years old and commuting to work for 4 years (all year round). I cycle commute for fitness, because I love bikes, to manage stress, and because it’s environmental logical and fun.

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

Seeing my city like I never would trapped in a car in traffic. The High Level Bridge in the morning, and the river valley in the evening.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

The river valley.

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

 Dated attitudes regarding cycling, lack of cycle routes and ones that are not cleared in winter.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

Invest, make it safer, restrict vehicles in downtown core.

How safe do you feel on your commute?

In the summer, ok. In winter, trails and bike paths are still neglected. And at times in winter, some drivers appear to hate people that ride at -30c.

Do you have any other thoughts about winter biking?

Fat bike + blizzard = a fast and fun commute.

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#irideYEG – Keshav Das

What is your commute like?

30 minutes – Roads, MUP’s and bike lanes. The river valley or downtown areas after everyone has gone home. Downtown becomes a very interesting place then!

I’m not really a commuter as much as a rider for pleasure and exercise.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

1) Fellow Edmontonians.
2) The outdoors, especially the river valley.
3) My neighbourhood, Oliver.
4) The downtown farmers market.
5) Live music places.

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

Since I was 6yrs old, living right next to the backwaters on Willingdon Island, Kerala State, India, noticing that all the grownups cycled to work and home.

When I moved to Edmonton in 2006, I noticed that the streets, and other road users, were bike friendly for the most part. One of my first possessions after moving here was my bicycle.

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

1) The river valley is unbeatable.
2) Road surfaces are acceptable, considering the weather conditions.
3) And motorists do respect cyclists who respect driving rules.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

The river valley for sure! Also love to ride under, and on, all the various bridges in Edmonton. Riding on a metal bridge and looking through it is such a freaky feeling!

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

1) Snow/ice during winter.
2) And strangely enough, other cyclists….those who have no respect for road laws.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

1) More separated bike lanes.
2) Bicyclists green boxes and painted lanes.
2) Cyclists obeying road laws more carefully; and thee police ticketing those cyclists who flout the law!!

How safe do you feel on your commute?

Fairly safe; I think if one rides on the road and follows all the rules of the road, motorists respect you.

#irideYEG – Janis Irwin

What is your commute like?

12 to 20 km. I’ve got two main routes. My preferred route is cycling from my house down to Ada Boulevard and then into the river valley (20km). The paths there take me nearly directly to work, with only a bit of road travel at the end of the route.

My other route, however, is less appealing. It takes me along a busy 112th avenue to the Stadium LRT path until 95th street, where I then have to cycle on fairly high traffic roads (12 km).

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

I love Edmonton, and I love the diversity of the people and neighbourhoods that comprise our city. Recently, I saw this message on a wall in the Carrot Coffeehouse on Alberta Avenue – I think it captures our city well: “Edmonton, you have this marvellous ability to continually surprise me with your understated charm.”

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

I’ve been biking all my life, but it’s only been in the last few years that I can call myself a regular cyclist.

When I moved to Edmonton from rural Alberta, I found that I was rarely using my car. I made the decision to sell it, and try out a car-free lifestyle. Now, nearly three years later, I’m still car-free. I rarely take transit; instead, I try to run, bike, or walk everywhere.

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

Running or biking everyday, I see a lot of terrible driving habits. Perhaps in part due to being hit on my bike, I pay much more attention to drivers than I did in the past. I must admit that it’s disheartening to witness many drivers who continue to speed, run red lights/stop signs, and use their phones. However, I also recognize that there are many cyclists who don’t obey the rules of the road. We can all improve.

How safe do you feel on your commute?

I feel mostly safe, as I try to stick to paths whenever possible. Living and working so close to the river valley certainly helps. That being said, I was the victim of a hit-and-run on my bike last summer. This experience definitely shook me, but also had the effect of making me much more vigilant and cautious.

What are your thoughts on winter biking?

I bike from spring to the first serious snowfall. Although I don’t winter-bike (yet…), I do run to work in the winter, which keeps me active all year long.

I keep up my active lifestyle in hopes of setting a good example for my lazy cat, Domino.

 

#irideYEG – Bevan Sauk

What is your commute like?

5 km – roads with some (poorly maintained) bike lanes.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

The growing arts and food scenes!

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

Since I could pedal as a kid! I’m a big guy with bad knees. Cycling is freedom! It’s fast, cheap, healthy, and green!

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

When you live and work centrally, everything is only minutes away. Plus, we have our gorgeous river valley for long, leisurely weekend rides.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

The river valley!

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

Bike lanes filled with gravel and potholes, overly courteous drivers forcing you to illegally take the right of way when crossing roads.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

Separated lanes, or at least priority cleaning/pothole repairs for bike lanes. Remove parking on Whyte and put in bike lanes/bike parking!

How safe do you feel on your commute?

Mostly safe except crossing 76 Ave, where no one seems to understand the right of way.

Does your family bike?

My partner bikes! The nature of her work means she can’t commute much, but we love riding through the valley together. .

#irideYEG – Justin So

What is your commute like?

12 km – roads, bike lanes, MUPs

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

The river valley, summer festivals, abundance of farmers markets, and many diverse neighbourhoods.

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

For 3 years through my adult life. I moved closer to the inner city in order to reduce commute time and improve my quality of life. It’s the most convenient, economical, and fun way to commute to work.

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

The relatively flat terrain, and beautiful and extensive pathways.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

The river valley pathways.

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

The lack of proper infrastructure. A lack of commitment in clearing popular bicycle pathways used as commuter roads.

A lack of education about sharing the road for BOTH cyclists and drivers. Many cyclists use sidewalks or don’t follow traffic rules and courtesies which puts all cyclists in a bad light. This results in an adversarial us vs them scenario with motor vehicles.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

A focus on cycle tracks downtown that would ultimately lead to pathways for communities not in the immediate inner city. Eventually after a good network in the inner city has been created, greater pathways for those in the suburbs.

Painted lanes work when planned properly, contain good signage, and proper snow clearing. Sharrows create impatience and are often too narrow for sharing.

How safe do you feel on your commute?

I feel relatively safe on bike lanes and MUPs. Sharing roads with cars can be daunting. Some drivers don’t understand that riding bikes on sidewalks is illegal and that the door-zone is a very dangerous area for cyclists requiring cyclists to “take the lane.”

In addition, some drivers don’t understand that cyclists are also vehicles beholden to the same traffic laws which can create some confusion and risky situations.

What are your thoughts on winter biking?

I bike year-round making some exceptions for extreme snow and cold. The single largest challenge is unplowed roads and pathways during snowfall. It is difficult to ride during these times.

The pleasures include lack of traffic once on MUPs and bike lanes, and staying outdoors and healthy during the winter months. Winter biking is a very calm and peaceful experience once on safe and clean roads/pathways due to lack of other cyclists.

#irideYEG – Christina Herbers

 

What is your commute like?

17 km – roads and bike paths and one large Parking lot

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

The river valley, and Terwillegar area.

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

30 years! My parents always encouraged me to walk or bike wherever possible. I biked with my them everywhere. walked to high school, biked to junior high and university. I raced and mountain biked for a few years, and have been a road rider for past 10 years. I’ve done a couple triathlons.

I bike commute for fun, fitness and it’s great for the earth. If your able to bike, and have a bike — why not save $, get fit and ride your bike to/from work/school..?

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

Fresh air, green grass… other friendly bike commuters.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

St. Albert’s bike paths with my family .

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

Being seen, some people not understanding our rights as cyclists— we are entitled to a full lane!!

How safe do you feel on your commute?

Mostly safe – but not at intersections. Sometimes cars (and big SUV’s and trucks) still don’t see me, no matter how reflective my gear.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

A bike lane would be super! A bike route (safe) from St. Albert to university and downtown. Advance push lights (pedestrian) that we can reach while on our bikes (like Vancouver)

Does your family bike?

Yep– I have a husband and we bike with our girls (5 and 8) wherever we can – school, soccer games.

 

#irideYEG – Michael Kalmanovitch

What is your commute like?

Residential, Whyte Avenue, MUP. Presently it is only 1 kilometre but I pull a 8 foot bicycle trailer and load it up with compost, laundry, rain barrels and what ever else needs to be moved between my house and my business.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

People.
The hope.
The potential

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

I started in 1981. It just made sense. I don’t think it made sense to drive just two kilometres to work and it took too long to walk (though I did walk many times).

I was in hospital after an operation and I mentioned to my father that I was thinking about getting a bicycle when I got out. He insisted that he would buy it for me. So I got a Raleigh bicycle and used the bicycle for commuting to work and shopping. Initially I just put all my stuff in my backpack then I bought panniers for touring and that made much more sense to carry my things that way.

Shortly after that a friend of mine told me about his bicycle trip and the I started to bicycle tour. In the 80s I cycled from Edmonton to Tijuana, across the USA, southern England, across Canada. Earlier this year I went touring in Guatemala and Mexico.

I love bicycling. I like it because it is smarter, healthier, less impact and fits in with my belief and lifestyle. I ride about 5-6 days a week (I use the car about 1-2 times a week). I love the way it makes me feel. It focuses, provides continuity, reflection and a perspective that you can’t get from inside a motor vehicle.

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

It is functionary. I bicycle because I love it. Edmonton has extremely poor infrastructure. I don’t think I would use it that much even if it was there but to encourage more cycling the City needs to build more infrastructure that is smart, safe and effective.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

On a long highway with pleasant scenery.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

To encourage more cycling in Edmonton the city needs to invest in better infrastructure. The best infrastructure is a separated bicycle lanes (good ones) but this is expensive and they can’t go everywhere. These should be installed in high use areas.

Painted lines/sharrows – well these can be kind of useless and obscured during the winter. All bicycling infrastructure needs to be cleaned and serviced during the winter months.

I think that good cycling skills should be taught in schools (I did a few years doing courses in community leagues directed at your children). I trust that what they learned kept them safer than if they didn’t take the course. So even though this is not an ‘infrastructure’ I believe it is one of the best investments to cycling safety.

How safe do you feel on your commute?

I feel fine. I did the Effective Cycling course CanBike 2 course back in 1990 and have lots of experience cycling in traffic. I rarely have any issues (I think the large trailer lets other road users know that I am there).

What are your thoughts on winter biking?

I cycle all year. I started cycling in the winter in 1982. I use the main thoroughfares in the winter if the side roads are not good enough. I do not cycle when the has been a big dump of snow and sometimes I take the sidewalk for a few days of winter/snowfall because other roadway users need to acclimatize.

Michael’s Bike Trailer

#irideYEG – Dave Sutherland

What is your commute like?

20-25 minutes (10-12 km). A bit of everything: minor roads in my area, multi-use trails across the river, and Jasper Ave. downtown. With the valley in between, my commute is literally uphill both ways.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

Edmonton is a city on the rise. There are so many opportunities here, not just for jobs and careers, but for helping shape a city on the edge of greatness, and for creative people who want to make a name for themselves who would otherwise be swallowed up as unknowns in any larger cities.

We are finally getting over the self-loathing and self-deprecating attitude that we allowed to define us for so many decades, and we are thriving as a result. Being a part of that gives me an indescribable pride and energy.

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

I’ve been using a bike for as long as I can remember. In particular, though, after I turned 16 and started taking driver’s ed, I decided I hated driving and wanted nothing to do with it. Everyone told me I was crazy, you NEED a car especially getting around St. Albert (where I grew up) and Edmonton. I have done just fine with my bike and public transit, thankyouverymuch.

I started commuting regularly in 2005, when I lived in Athlone and took a job in the downtown core. I don’t recall specifically why I decided to start commuting by bike, but it probably had to do with annoyances waiting for a crowded bus.

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

For recreational riding, the river valley and connecting trails, obviously. Riding through the various trails you often forget you’re often still in the heart of the city, and some of the terrain and micro-climates make you forget you’re even in Edmonton.

For commuting, Edmonton’s roads are shockingly over-engineered, many having more and wider lanes than is really necessary. This benefits cyclists greatly as it gives us plenty of room to ride and gives drivers plenty of room to safely pass.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

Anywhere in the valley, really, but specifically I love Mill Creek Ravine, along RVR and MacKinnon Ravine, below the Mayfair and Hawrelak Park, south of Fort Edmonton Park, and Terwilligar Park.

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

This city is often still run with a car-first mentality, particularly from the Transportation department which always seem to operate on a different wavelength than council. Trying to help push for alternative transportation improvements is a constant uphill battle.

There is also still a huge mindset among citizens that Edmonton is and can only ever be a car city, and that investing in alternative transportation – even LRT – is a waste of money. I’m not sure how anyone can think this city can continue to grow at the rate it is and remain so dependent on cars for transportation without traffic woes getting exponentially worse over time.

Lastly, there are drivers who still hold a grudge against all cyclists, even those who follow the rules, lumping us all together based on the actions of a few who do stupid things. Stories of aggressive drivers and threats are relatively rare, but enough to scare many people off of riding their bikes altogether. We’re not at war here, we’re all just people, trying to get to where we want to go.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

Segregated bike paths have done wonderful things for cities all over the world, I think Edmonton would be wise to ignore the naysayers and NIMBYs and invest in these if it is truly serious about alternative transportation. I would like to see more bike lanes where roads and lanes are wide enough to warrant them, but where segregated paths are not feasible.

Most of all, I’d like the city’s Transportation department to get in line with council’s vision and direction, and build real bike infrastructure, not more compromises that benefit only the movement of car traffic and still just make everyone unhappy in the end.

How safe do you feel on your commute?

Very safe, even riding in traffic without bike lanes; the vast majority of drivers are just fine and courteous with cyclists, especially those who ride predictably and with regard to the same traffic laws as everyone else.

#irideYEG – Susan Larcombe

 

What is your commute like?

10-15 minutes weather dependent – up to an hour in the winter. I try to stick to routes that keep me out of major traffic, so I use a lot of shared low-traffic roads and shared trails – but I’m happy to ride in traffic if and when I need to.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

Summer time in Edmonton is the greatest place to be – friends come home to visit, the weather is gorgeous, my garden’s amazing, the biking is superb, and there are so many festivals to choose from!

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

I’ve been cycling since I was a little kid. It was my way to get around St. Albert and meet up with friends. I lost it a bit as a teenager but then picked it up again when I moved to the UK in my early 20s.

I’ve been cycle-commuting in Edmonton for the past 4 years. I bought a sweet little Trek mountain bike with disk brakes and rode through the winter months when I couldn’t afford the parking downtown and didn’t want to take the bus.

I sold my car nearly a year ago and have been relying on my bike primarily ever since, with the occasional bus ride or walk (especially if my dog’s coming with me!) and begging/borrowing rides off friends and family when they’re absolutely necessary — which is actually much less frequently than you would think!

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

The river valley, the (usual) ease of getting around, and seeing all the tandems out and about!

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

River valley with friends, or out to Elk Island Park on the weekend.

How safe do you feel on your commute?

‘Safe’ is a funny word to use with bike-commuting in Edmonton. Lots of drivers are amazing and courteous, and I think a few see cyclists as a nuisance that are getting in their way. So I do a few things to try to motivate drivers to give me more room and that seems to help a lot.

I do wish there were some bike-only routes so that we COULD get out of the way of traffic more often! Beyond that, sometimes pedestrians on the shared trails who aren’t aware of their surroundings make me nervous as well, so I try to be as aware as possible when riding.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

Yes. More. Please.

Does your family bike?

I have a partner and I have roommates and almost everybody bikes. My partner is a cycling nut.

What are your thoughts on winter biking?

Winter biking in Edmonton is such an exhilarating experience when I’m in the right headspace for it, but the darkness is difficult – it’s hard for drivers to pay really good attention as well as for cyclists to pick the safest routes. But the feeling of walking into a warm house after freezing my face off is wonderful!

#irideYEG – Dan McDougall

What is your commute like?

15-30 km, a few days a week. My biking covers west of downtown, south of the Yellowhead, and north of 23 Avenue. I try to stay off main arteries and use multi-use walkways and trails. Bike lanes are few and far between in the west end and they go virtually nowhere.

What are some of your favourite things about Edmonton?

It’s been my home for 35 years. Relatively safe.

How long have you been cycling? What got you started?

10 years or so. After too many running injuries, I bought a new hybrid bike.

What do you like about biking in Edmonton?

The views. The hills. The variety.

What’s your favourite place to ride for fun?

Up and down the hills in and out of the river valley throughout the central and west end of the city.

What challenges do you face as a cyclist in Edmonton?

 Some motorists. The City of Edmonton’s dim and near-sighted views on bike lanes.

What would you like to see for bike infrastructure in Edmonton?

PLANNING – involving #YEGbike aficionados..

How safe do you feel on your commute?

Since I REALLY pay attention to motorists, my safety is my responsibility.