Cyclists looking for street safety education as Winnipeg enters 10th annual Bike Week

It’s the tenth annual Bike Week in Winnipeg, and as more cyclists hit Winnipeg streets each year – experts say better infrastructure isn’t the only solution to safer streets – education is also needed.

Chair person of Bike Week Winnipeg Dave Elmore is proud of how many Winnipeggers cycle today in the city – but hopes events like Bike to Work day, inspire more to cycle.

“That’s what really all of this comes down to – we want to get along on the roads, we just all need to be courteous,” explained Elmore.

Luke Decorby and Laura Layton have been cycling together for 15 years, and hope in the next 5 years, the city better constructs infrastructure to fully connect across the city.

“We probably do 30 kilometres a day when we can, and you’ll get to the end of sergeant down by the perimeter and then you can’t get to the other side at Roblin, so more connection of the bike lanes,” said Layton.

Decorby adding, “Being able to bike all over the place, even those curbside bikes paths are fine you know as long as it’s safe right? That’s what I’d like to see.”

Without cycling infrastructure, Elmore says some cyclists feel safer on the sidewalk away from vehicles – but that’s a false feeling of security according to him.

Last week, cyclist Andrew Single caught an accident on camera where a sidewalk cyclist was hit in what’s referred to as a ‘right hook’.

“Fortunately he was hit at low speed and at such an angle that he wasn’t knocked under the vehicle or over the vehicle,” said Single.

Single says infrastructure is lacking in the city, but Elmore says if cyclists and drivers are courteous and educated, that can make a difference now. MPI teaches new drivers the three R’s, same roads, same rights, same rules. This week, booths are set up to refresh cyclists on the rules.

“It’s fun, the freedom is nice, but there are dangers to it, there’s risk, and in order to enjoy biking on the road – making safe decisions and being re-educated on that is super important,” said Xyza Singcay, community relations assistant with MPI.

Elmore says to share the streets, patience is needed. There isn’t always a safe time to pass a cyclist, and he says this is a main way to reduce collisions immediately.

“Only giving up sometimes a few seconds, and the result of you not giving up those few seconds can be catastrophic if someone ends up badly hurt or dead.”