cycle therapy spring 2015

President’s Message2015 and Beyond by Edward Pullman

zation and move to a model of volunteers and paid staff /contractors to ensure all of the organization’s needs and objectives are being fulfi lled.

For example, most of us have day jobs, so meeting with city staff and politicians to discuss needed changes to policy, funding and infrastructure can be diffi cult. Grant writing, volunteer training, membership retention, website improvements, and so-liciting for Cycle Th erapy and more have all been identifi ed as priorities for the GVCC. More must be done to grow our volunteer capacity to take on these and other needed initiatives. In the coming months, we will be asking you, our mem-bers and the interested public, to assist with this work.

What can you do for the GVCC and what can the GVCC do for you? What would you like to see the GVCC do more of in the next year? More events like the

Transform speaker series or cyclist lounges? More active campaigns to improve cycling facilities and get more people riding bikes? More benefi ts for being a member of the cycling coalition? Let me know at [email protected], on our facebook page (Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition) or Twitter (@gvcc).

Update: Last issue I was boasting about my lack of a driver’s license and all the good it was doing

me and humanity. How times change. I have a new job that requires a license and access to a vehicle, so I bit the bullet, took some driving lessons and fi nally got that N. Now, off to fi nd a car-share!

2nd Update: Turns out car-share co-ops want members with full licences, no Ns allowed! If you’ve got any ideas on how I can make use of a car without actually owning one, send them my way to [email protected].

Th is past October, I was re-elected to another term as President for the GVCC. It has been a privilege and pleasure to serve these past two years in that capacity, and I greatly look forward to what the next two will bring.

We’ve seen some remarkable advances in those two years, including a major update to Victoria’s Cycling Master Plan and an Action Plan for the Shelbourne Valley that calls for protected bike lanes for most of Shelbourne Street.

Th e hard work of the directors, volunteers and members of the GVCC played no small part in these and other milestones for cycling. But we still have a long way to go, not just in our eff orts to improve cycling infrastructure around Greater Victoria, but also how to grow the GVCC and increase its capacity.

Like any volunteer-run organization, we struggle with how to do more with the

limited resources we have access to. Without paid staff or substantial reve-nue sources outside of membership fees, the work of the GVCC is done by those who strongly believe in the cause of more people cycling, more places, more often. In the long run, however, this is not a sustainable model. Burnout, turnover and a loss of momentum are likely outcomes unless more is done to grow our organi-

Published by theGreater Victoria Cycling Coalition709 Yates StPO Box 8586, Victoria Main Post Offi ceVictoria, BC, V8W 3S2The GVCC’s purpose is to get more people cycling more places more often in Greater Victoria by:

• Improving cycling education and making it universal for cyclists, motorists, and others dealing with bicycling

• Facilitating communication between cyclists, business, government, and other community groups

• Improving facilities and infrastructure for bicycle use

• Improving the legal climate for cyclists• Encouraging more people to ride bicycles

more often• Developing a cycling information base

To contribute to Cycle Therapy, please email:[email protected]

Submissions are greatly encouraged. Still, we reserve the right to edit copy in the interest of clarity or where necessary. The views ex-pressed in Cycle Therapy are not necessarily those of the GVCC. All articles, photos and graphics published in Cycle Therapy remain the intellectual property of the authors and artists.

Visit our website: gvcc.bc.cafacebook.com/GVCCbctwitter.com/gvcc

Editorial Collective: Kate Berniaz, Michael Fisher, Celina O’ConnorEditor: Kate BerniazDesign Collective: Celina O’Connor, Ryan MijkerContributors: Michael Fisher, Ed Pullman, Celina O’Conner, Lise Richard, Eunice Martel, Kathleen Fraser, Susan Stokhof, Eden Oliver, Kate Berniaz, Jonathan Dowdall, Marty Cole, Karen Laberee, Jill Croft, Dean RebnerisDistribution: Brenda BoydBike Couriers: Janet Besler, Brenda Boyd, Barry Edmonson, Forrest Nelson, John Per-ry, John Van Hoorn, Andy RobertsonGVCC Board of DirectorsPresident: Edward PullmanVice-president: Bharat ChandramouliTreasurer: Michael FisherSecretary: Brenda BoydDirector: Kathleen FraserDirector: Darren MarrDirector: Celina O’ConnorDirector: Mandy PearceDirector: Timothy ScolnickDirector: Seamus Wolfe

Printed by First Choice Books & Victoria Bindery

The GVCC is a proud member of the British Columbia Cycling Coalition.

On the Cover: Smoking Lily’s Trish Tacoma prepares fat quarters of fabric for a bicycle print quilt. Photo by Celina O’Connor

Cycle Therapy

2 Cycle Therapy Spring 2015

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Editor’s Message

Welcome to the fi rst Cycle Th erapy of 2015.

Bikes can often be thought about techni-cally, bike advocacy as a political activity and cycling as a physical endeavour. For this issue of Cycle Th erapy, we focus on how people use their bikes as art or are inspired by bikes to create.

In this issue, we are introduced to Pedal-Box by Jonathan Dundall. I saw his mirrored bike trailer at last year’s Esqui-malt Bike Fest and was intrigued. We have a follow-up article from Eden Oliver who, with West My Friend, completed a Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands tour by bike last summer. Th ough they don’t have any bike songs yet, I look forward to more of their music. Th e folks at Bike to Work Week got extra creative this time and have brought you a poem.

Th ere is also the culture of biking. Within biking advocacy, there is often discussion about how cycling is seen as a recreation-al activity in North America, whereas in Europe, the main biking culture is more of utilitarian cycling. Susan Stokhof shares her observations about the relationship between biking culture and infrastructure.

Th is issue also has a range of stories from local tours, car-free days and e-bikes. We have our regular submissions from Michael Fisher with a book review and profi le of a local bike shop, this time the Vancouver Island Bike Builder. We also get an update on recent GVCC activities,

by Kate Berniaz

The Arts and Cultures of Cycling

1. Th e Bicycle Song, David Rovics

2. Broken Bicycles, Tom Waits

3. Apology Song, Th e Decemberists

4. Cycling is Fun, Shonen Knife

5. Tony’s Th eme, Th e Pixies

Top 5!

Top (Alternative)

Bike Songs

including the highly successful Transform lecture series (three lectures since our last issue, including the highly successful talk with Charles Montgomery) and the Christmas Lights ride (over 100 people participated!).

Th ere are always ways for you to get in-volved in Cycle Th erapy. We welcome sub-mission of stories, photos or graphics. We are also currently looking for a volunteer to help with advertising. We have some great loyal advertisers, but we need help keeping on top of them.

Th e days are fi nally getting longer and with the next issue of Cycle Th erapy, we will be preparing for Bike to Work Week and a glorious summer of riding!

4 Cycle Therapy Spring 20154 4 44 44 CyCCyCyCyCyCyclclclclcclc e e e e e ThThThThThTThThThT erererererererererapapapapapapappyyy y yyyy SpSpSpSpSSpSppppriririiriririiingngnngngngngnngngg 22222222010101010101010115555555555

• Advocated for widening the Galloping Goose trail, including an inter-view with President Edward Pullman on CBC Radio

• Was the local host for the BC Cycling Coalition’s Annual “BC Bike” conference and AGM in Victoria. Events included one-day session on BikeSense publication, advocacy workshops and more.

• Held our Annual General Meeting at the James Bay New Horizons Centre on October 29, with musical guests West My Friend. You can download our Annual Report from gvcc.bc.ca.

• Co-hosted with the CRD, TransForm Talk #4 -Urban Cycling Made Easy with Kimberlely Nelson, Bike Calgary and Mike Anderson, City of Vancouver.

• Co-hosted with the CRD, TransForm Talk #5 - These Streets are Made for Walking with Larry Frank, UBC, and Todd Litman, VictoriaTransport Policy institute

• Hosted annual Christmas Lights Ride at Oaklands Community Centre, on December 13th. Over 100 participants attended.

• Met with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps to discuss bike facilities and issues: proposed cycle track on Pandora, the Cycling Master Plan Update, setting targets for increased bike ridership, increasing staff capacity to address cycling goals.

• Met with Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell to lobby for improvementsto cycling in Saanich including ensuring the installation of protected bike lanes on Shelbourne Street as called for by the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan, and creating Saanich’s fi rst Cycling Master Plan.

• Attended the Tourism Leader’s discussion on the economic impacts of cycling in Greater Victoria. The December 11, 2015 event was hosted by Urban Systems and the Capital Regional District.

• Met with City of Victoria Planning and Transportation staff for update and input on city’s new Cycling Master Plan document – set for public engagement and review spring 2015.

• Conducted a strategic planning session for GVCC Board of Directors.

• Hosted TransForm Talk #6 with Happy City author Charles Montgom-ery, at the Atrium building. Attended by over 250 people.

Since our last Issue, the GVCC:What’s New at the GVCC

You’re invited to join community members as we plan Esquim-alt’s second annual Bike Fest, scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2015. Last year, we kicked off the fair-weather cycling season with neighbourhood bike rides, a kids’ obstacle course and several exhibitor booths, ranging from City of Victoria Youth Council bike art to button making with the Greater Victoria Library to Active Transportation advocates to local bike shops. We need volunteers to help behind the scenes and on the ground on the day of. Please contact [email protected] for additional information.

by Eunice Martel

Photo: Ryan Mijker


Mandy Pearce

I aim to ride, walk, bus, and car-share my way to an active, sustainable, human-scale life, and I love how Victoria’s not-too-big-but-not-too-small size makes that possible. I usually ride slowly, carrying groceries, and daydreaming about how to remold our trans-

portation system -- and culture -- into one that supports more than just motor vehicle travel. I decided to join the GVCC Board to help Victoria become a place where cycling is “normal” and citizens of all ages, abilities, genders and lifestyles can easily make bicycles a part of their lives.

Timothy Scolnick

I ride my bike as my primary form of transport and support increasing cycling infra-structure around Greater Victoria. I love the outdoors and am an avid cy-clist who has been looking to become more active in the community. I see joining the GVCC Board as an

excellent way to do this. I am most interested in riding because it is good exercise, it is a fl exible way to get around, and because it is a low-carbon mode of transport. I am a Bike to Work Week/Day captain at the BC Ministry of Health, and I am also the Ministry of Health Green Team Lead.

Seamus Wolfe

Until this August, I managed the Campus Bike Co-op at the University of Ottawa. When I transferred to the University of Victo-ria this September, I was looking for ways to get involved in the cycling commu-nity and advocacy in the city - and becoming a board member of the

GVCC seemed like a perfect fi t. I am looking forward to increas-ing our role in putting pressure on city hall(s) as well as fi nding ways to engage the membership. I am also really looking forward to cycling year-round without having to put on my studded tires for the fi rst time!

New Board Members

Volunteers Needed!

Congratulations to the new GVCC Board Members

that joined at the October AGM. Let me introduce

you to Mandy, Tim and Seamus, who are all pas-

sionate about bikes.

C ll ThTh

Are you passionate about cycling? Would you like to get involved in getting more peo-ple cycling, more places, more often in Great-er Victoria? Do you have a special talent or skill and some extra time to off er? If so, the GVCC wants to hear from YOU!

As a volunteer-run organization, we always need help in a variety of activities. Whether it be event tabling, graphic design, help with advocacy and campaigns, themed rides - you name it, there is never a shortage of work to be done!

Interested? Want to fi nd out more? Drop us a line to fi nd out how you can get involved. Short and long term opportunities available. We look forward to hearing from you!

Email: [email protected]


Car-Free Day, German Style! by Kathleen Fraser

Folks of all ages and abilities participated in the event. Most cyclists rode sturdy, comfortable bikes. We saw few racing bikes and no one seemed to be in a hurry. Others travelled on rollerblades, scooters, skateboards and wheelchairs. Th ere were large groups, families, cou-ples, singles all out to enjoy the day. Some people carried radios, oth-ers sang. Most talked.

In short, it was an excellent way to enjoy the day with family and friends for not a lot of money and to get some exercise at the same time. It was the slowest 25 km I’ve ever pedalled – about 4 hours – but the event was one of the highlights of our trip.

It would be wonderful to hold this type of event in the Great-er Victoria Area. We don’t have to close a highway, we have the Lochside and Galloping Goose trails to use as a route. Th ese trails have lots of businesses and access points along their length to set up rest and food stops. However, what we do not have is public multi-bike transport. Unlike Germany, we have no developed rail system and our transit buses can only carry two bikes at a time. Imagine a family of four or a group of six friends cycling part of the route, then trying to get home via public transportation. It is just not possible here and the logistics of managing a one-way trip would certainly deter many people from participating. Perhaps, it is time for

local businesses or transit to off er better bike transportation for the region. In order to get more people cycling more places more often, we need to make it easy for all ages and abilities to enjoy travelling by bike. A Car-Free Day, German-style, could be a good way to start.

On a recent visit to Germany, my husband and I had an opportunity to participate in Car-Free Day with our son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids. Car-Free Day is a very popular event in Germany, jointly organized by regional districts and local sponsors. Our event was held in the region of Main-Kinzig-Kreis (MKK), a district which runs along the Kinzig River valley and is in the province of Hesse. Home to a number of small picturesque towns and vil-lages, it has a population of about 400,000.

To allow as much participation as possible, a spe-cial train, running regularly throughout the day, was organized to carry bikes and riders along the route. Since we were travelling with two small children in a trailer, we decided to ride the train 25 km up the track then pedal back home. We deliberately caught a later train (around 11 am) in hopes that the more serious riders would have left earlier for the furthest most regions of the route and it would not be too busy. We were wrong. We arrived at the train to a throng of pleasure riders, some like us only going a few stops and others planning to do longer routes. It was amazing how many people turned out for the event. Th e 70 km route used a two-lane secondary highway that paralleled the Auto-bahn. No cars were allowed on this road between 7 am and 6 pm. We needed the space too. At no time in our 25 km ride did we have an open stretch of road to ourselves, and more often than not, there was signifi cant congestion. Along the way, each town or village had organized rest and meal stops (read: beer and sausage carts), often in-cluding live bands and bouncy castles. In all, a very fun, festive route.

Photos: Kathleen Fraser

We arrived at the train to a throng of pleasure rid-ers, ... It was amazing how many people turned out for the event.


Victoria Car-Free Day386-BIKE (2453)

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10% OFF!for GVCC members

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Cyclist friendly! GVCC members get 10% off food

Th e Downtown Victoria Business Association recently proposed a car-free day in Victoria on Sunday, June 21. Th e event would see a section of Douglas Street closed to vehicle traffi c and open to people for the afternoon.

Th e plan was presented to Victoria City Council in December and they supported it in principle. Th ere is still a number of organizational issues to work out, including re-routing transit busses.

Similar events occur all over the world, including ciclo-via (starting in Bogata, Colombia where many main streets are exclusively for people on foot and bikes every Sunday and holiday) and Car Free Day on Com-mercial Dr, Denman St and Main St in Vancouver.

Councillor Marianne Alto, who supports the proposal said, “Th is is an opportunity to perhaps test some ideas around making Douglas Street a bit more at-tractive and perhaps a bit more user-friendly in a way which provides an opportunity for residents and visi-tors to come out to celebrate a whole bunch of diff er-ent activities.”

Photo: Ryan Mijker

by Kate Berniaz


You may have heard that cycling is the most effi cient mode of transportation. Th is gets me thinking about Bike to Work Week (BTWW). 2014 results show 8,071 riders took to the streets and 1,222 were new riders. Th e Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society’s vision “aims to make cy-cling a mainstream commuting choice …” but does this event help people become daily riders?

Th ink about the last time you were in the downtown core. How many cyclists did you see over the weekend - three at most? Th ere is no support to continue riding at any time other than to work and our cur-rent infrastructure doesn’t support it. Th is tells me the messaging needs to be greater than the BTWW campaign. I think the Trans-form Speakers Series was attempt-ing to do just this, broaden the message.

Do you feel safe cycling on our city streets? If you answer yes, I’m going to challenge that. Because if you feel safe there isn’t a need to wear hi-vis safety vests, extra lights on your helmets and other safety features. It has been proven that when cycling infrastructure is good (separated bicycle lanes, advanced lights at intersections and traffi c-calming streets…)

citizen cyclists will ride and there isn’t a need for added safety gear.

Citizen cyclists hop on their bikes dressed for their destination, no spandex or hi-vis gear. Th ey travel short to medium dis-tances of 3 to 15km on their daily journey, which, generally includes going to work, heading out for social activities and so much more. For this group, cycling is a form of transportation and a way to move around the city. Th eir journey doesn’t fi nish at the end of the workday.

Mikael Colville-Andersen from Copen-hagenize describes, very well, what happens when you design good cycling infrastructure. From his TED talk: “A well-designed cycling infrastructure will seduce people to take on cycling. If we make cycling the quickest way to move around a city, citizen cyclists, no matter the weather, will ride, seduced by the speed in which they can travel from A to B, seduced by good design, convenience and safety.”

I think we need to look at our cycling infrastructure more critically because it needs help… and badly. I don’t think a lot of thought goes into why so many riders

feel the need to wear all the safety gear. It seems to be our unoffi cial cycling uniform here in Victoria, but why? Is it because it looks nice? Is it because it keeps me safer than not wearing hi-vis? Or is it because we have a poor cycling infrastructure and we don’t even realize it? (BINGO!!).

If we take a step back for a moment and think about who is being engaged in conversations about improving YYJs cycling infrastructure, you will soon learn that it is a group that is satisfi ed with new painted lines and “sharrows” on our streets, But if you ask a citizen cyclist, they will tell you that another painted line does not keep anyone safe from traffi c or encourage more people to take up cycling. Would-be riders will tell you that they don’t feel safe. Everyday I see a woman who pushes her bicycle over the bridge to Harbour Rd. where she then continues her ride to work. Th is tells me that our infrastructure needs work if riders feel that they are not safe to ride everywhere.

Looking at European cities, you learn that it is the citizen cyclist that is the engaged party helping to aff ect real infrastructure changes, such as separated bicycle lanes, advanced lights at specifi c traffi c intersec-tions and traffi c-calming streets. Currently, it is the few making decisions for the many. Th is is where the disconnect is and where we are going about this the wrong way. As I fi nish up writing this article, Lisa Helps has recently been elected as Victoria’s new City Mayor. I personally have high hopes for Lisa to help bring in a “citizen cyclist” committee to fruition that she mentions in her campaign. Lisa, if you are reading this, I’m in!

Citizen Cyclist by Susan Stokhof


Bike StimulusInfrastructure, Fashion, Lots of People on Bikes

by Ryan Mijker

It was my fi rst day in the Danish capital. Th e weather was miserable: cloud, rain, winds, cold. I knew it was a sunny 12 degree celsius back home in Victoria. As expected there are still people on bikes everywhere. Th e rain and cold only slightly aff ecting bike numbers in Copenhagen. Even on that miserable day all these Copenhageners looked stunningly beautiful. No bright yellow jackets, no refl ective patches and no invasive fl ashing lights. I wanted to be part of this sexy cycling crowed. I rushed to pick up my rental bike.

Following Copenhagen’s lead Barcelo-na, New York City and Paris, interna-tional fashion capitals, now showcase exhibits of modern bike facilities. Th ese and other cities have invested in low stress bike facilities allowing the bicycle to become a more popular transporta-tion choice for the design vogue.

Modern low stress bike facilities (elimi-nating or reducing the anxiety of riding with motor vehicles) has changed what people wear while bicycling. Th is also encourages more people to put on their biking shoes. It turns out that Stilettos and leather Fluevogs are far more pop-ular bike shoes than athletic shoes that lock your foot into your pedal.

Not everyone wants to dress up like a pylon, but we still need cloth-ing for an active lifestyle. Th e path for local designers has been paved. Outlier, a clothing company from NYC, was born when two design-ers tried to develop a better pair of pants for their bike commutes.

Today Outlier has a full clothing line strong enough for a cyclists but made for everyday living.

In Barcelona the fashion conscious bike riding Catalans have given rise to Ramonas Barcelona. Combining design and urban cycling, Ramonas Barcelona is a store and design company that mixes the bike with urban living and modern design. Barcelona has one of the world’s most successful bike share programs and a comfortable well signed protected bike lane network.

What people who bike wear is a good indicator of bike infrastruc-ture. What people who bike wear can also encourage or discourage potential cyclists. Bikes are sim-ple, biking is easy. Th is simplicity and ease is part of highly desirable lifestyle. But when we put on body armour and cover ourselves in fl ashing lights, a counter message is given. Selling complexity and agitation is more diffi cult.

Victoria municipalities have not invested in bike share, good sig-nage or protected bike lanes. When you ride in the gutter you need to dress for the occasion. When you

raise the bike up out of the gutter there is a transformation in how bikes are seen (literally and fi guratively). We have yet to see this trans-formation in Victoria.

Photos: Ryan Mijker


Th e last time I wrote an article for Cycle Th erapy, I was right on the cusp of a Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands biking music tour with my band West My Friend. Initially planned and envisioned by our musical friend Brett Wildeman, the bike tour was based around a concept that was not only interest-ing and cute, but also brilliant in ways that I wouldn’t have thought of in advance. Dubbed the Bikes, Barns and Beers tour, the tour had us biking mostly to play at small scale organ-ic farms. Th is meant that on most days when we arrived at our destination, hot and bike weary and generally out of it, we were greeted with gifts such as beautiful landscapes, cucumber ice water, fresh fruit, swimmable ponds and friendly faces. And in the morning we were normally sent off with corn and kale and fresh hard boiled eggs weighing down our panniers.

I like to think that things like biking, live music, and organic farms bring out the best in people. Th e eff ort and intention and love required of these endeavours are the ingredients for some of the more beautiful things in life. Something about the quality of the experience and the hard won enjoyment tends to birth those “I love my life!” moments for me.

Our tour was chock-full of these moments. Biking down a winding island road edged with arbutus trees. Asking an audi-ence to stop paying attention to us, turn around, and marvel at the sunset on the fi elds. Playing our instruments in a spacious empty barn late in the evening and listening for the echoes.

Watching water shimmer in the slats of morning light coming through the lattice of an outdoor shower.

Sure there were also those moments where I thought I would die if I rounded the next bend and the hill (read: mountain) I was hauling a trailer up was still ascending. But you can’t have the good without the exhausting and painful!

West My Friend’s just fi nished our European CD Release Tour. Needless to say, February in the UK was not an ideal time and place for a bike tour, so we used alternate transportation. But I think it’s fair to say that when it comes to biking music tours, I’m hooked.

Bikes, Barns, and

Beers by Eden Oliver

Photos: West My Friend


A rocket made of 150 spray paint cans blasts down the Galloping Goose. Heads turn.

Curiosity is rattled and swayed. A machine made out of bike parts and wooden gears sits on a street corner while onlookers gaze in astonishment. Th e gears are turned by a giddy fi ve-year old winding the makeshift crank. Two kids are in a moving cocoon making streaks of odd coloured lights. Someone’s having a tea party in the middle of Beacon Hill Park!? On the back of a bike cart! Might as well have a cup of tea and chat. What are all those kids painting in Fernwood square? It’s a giant canvas on a bike cart! What is going on!?

Art doesn’t need walls. Art doesn’t have to stay still. Th e PedalBox Mobile Gallery has and does neither: it slinks through the city displaying art by young artists from around town. Whether it’s a giant painting, installation, or performance, PedalBox caters to a type of artist that feels the contemporary gallery environment doesn’t quite fi t what they want to accomplish with their practice. Perhaps you’ve seen it cruising down Dallas Road at sunset, or maybe you’ve biked by it on the Goose, perplexed by its originali-ty. PedalBox brings art to the streets in a dynamic way. It instan-taneously creates a strange community of artists and onlookers wherever it goes.

Co-founded in the spring of 2013 by former Minister of Casual Living Jonathan Dowdall and Victoria Youth Council Coordi-nator Kluane Buser-Rivet, the PedalBox gallery is funded by the CRD and is a branch of the Ministry of Casual Living artist-run centre (www.ministryofcasualliving.ca). Acting as an exhibi-tion space, practical tool, and random micro-parade initializer, Pedalbox has shown the work of 15 young artists from around the CRD over the past year and a half. Th e bike cart itself is designed and built by legendary BikeDude Tony Hoar, and can handle up to 250 pounds.

Th e PedalBox team is looking forward to the spring of 2015 when they’ll be participating in the Art Jammers youth drop-in hosted at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre by the Community Arts Council of Victoria.

Thinking Inside The

(Art) Boxby Jonathan Dowdall

Photos: Jonathan Dowdall


by Marty Cole

What is an electric bicycle, anyway?

When someone hears the terms “e-bike” or “electric bicycle,” the fi rst image that pops into their mind may be one of a basic moped, motorcycle, or a scooter. In reality, a modern e-bike, with pedal assist, is a simple, yet amazing vehicle to use.

Fundamentally, an e-bike is just a regular bicycle with a one-half horsepower electric motor to give you a nice “push” as you pedal, providing additional assistance to help you from getting tired out, and many of them have gears like a regular bike.Th ey use rechargeable lithium batteries that allow them to reach speeds of up to 32 kph and, depending on the battery, a single charge of a few hours can usually power a bike up to 30 to 60 kilometers. You can pedal normally and just use the motor to help out, or use the motor all the time to make riding easier. Th e experience is entirely diff erent from riding a gas scooter or motorbike. Here, the electric assistance is perfectly smooth and silent, and it complements rather than supplants human power. You will arrive at your destination much sooner, long trips become very manageable and your endurance is greatly increased. An e-Bike will re-defi ne your biking experience!

It’s important to realize that an e-bike will pedal and handle just like a regular bicycle and uses most of the same parts as a tradi-tional bicycle.

Purpose built e-bikes vary in style and the price can range from

The Joys of E-Biking: Part 1What is an electric bicycle, anyway?

$1,200 to over $13,000 depending on the brand, frame, motor size and type of battery. Independent and specialty companies manufacture most of the e-bikes currently on the market, but more established bike companies have started to churn out their own models as well. Popular consumer and big box stores have already begun selling e-bikes nationwide and online.

A more economical approach is to take a standard bicycle and install an e-bike conversion kit. Conversion kits are available locally or over the Internet and the price can range from $400 and up. If you don’t have the skills needed, many of the local bike shops can help you out.

Last year, less than 200,000 e-bikes were sold in North America. Although large, this number is dwarfed by the immense fi gures overseas. In Europe, an estimated 1 million e-bikes were sold in 2012 and growing at 25% per year. In China, among the 450 million bike riders, more than 100 million occupy the roads with their electric bikes.

Are electric bikes legal?

Electric bikes are still a fairly new concept in Canada, so there is a lot of confusion. Th e Motor Vehicle Act was recently modifi ed to include a class of Power Assisted Bicycles. In BC, the rules state that with continuous motor power under 500 watts, and at speeds less than 32 km/h - there is no need for either a license or insurance to use an electric bike on public roads. All riders must be over 16 years of age.

Photo: electricbikeblog.net

Cycle Therapy Spring 2015 13 13

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Photo: Terry Evans

Did you have a near miss during your cycling commute? Th en map it on BikeMaps.org and your incident will be part of a University of Victoria (UVic) project aimed at improv-ing cycling safety. UVic geography professor Dr. Trisalyn Nelson and a team of researchers in the UVic Geography SPAR Lab (spatial pattern and analysis research) have created a web-map to fi nd hot spots of safe and risky cycling. Th e website was launched in October 2014 and relies on anonymous citizen data. BikeMaps.org researchers are collecting data to conduct geographical information system (GIS) and statistical analysis to fi nd cycling safety and risk hot spots. Cyclists can record bike crashes, near misses, hazards or thefts in the region. You can also register to receive regular safety reports in your riding area by email.

“With only 30 to 40 per cent of cycling crash data captured by traditional data sources, BikeMaps.org represents an important eff ort to fi ll data and information gaps,” says Nel-son. “I love cycling and I commute by bike daily. I usually feel very safe. But, especially as a mom, I am always looking for ways our family can ride as safely as possible.”

As of late fall, BikeMaps.org had garnered interest from around the globe with mapping occurring in 15 diff erent countries. Th e Capital Regional District had the highest con-centration of citizen mapping, likely owing to local promotion of the website. Th is has enabled BikeMaps.org researchers to release preliminary maps of cycling hotspot risk for Greater Victoria. As more cyclists share their experiences by mapping on BikeMaps.org, the better the data becomes.

Watch for new maps that will highlight safe and risky areas at diff erent times of the day and week. Plans are in the works for a mobile app that will allow you to receive real-time safety alerts and plan optimal routes that account for safety at the time you are travelling.

Funding for BikeMaps.org was through an NSERC Engage grant in partnership with the CAA. Local promotional funding was provided by an Active Transportation Special Event grant from the CRD.

BikeMaps.org by Karen Laberee


Tour de LopezWhat is it? Lopez Island, supposedly the fl attest of the San Juan Islands – community ride – let’s go!

Bikes tethered to the car and we’re off . Friday morning driving from Oak Bay to Sidney, fi nding overnight car parking, bikes and panniers fully loaded, through customs and on to the 12:05 p.m. Anacortes ferry we pedal. Inexpensive – $14 per senior passenger plus bike. So far, simple.

Smooth sailing across Haro Strait in the fi nal week of April, to participate in the 11th annual Tour de Lopez. Who knew? Not many Canadian bikers on the ferry. Sail to San Juan Island, disembark in Friday Harbour for a quick cycle through the centre of town. Next, embark the Washington State inter-island ferry with stops at Orcas Island, Shaw Island and our fi nal destination of Lopez Island. Waiting until the traffi c passes, faced with the usual steep entrance to the island, we carried along on narrow, winding, undulating, rural roads through Lopez Village and on to Lopez Islander Bay Resort, where we stayed for two nights.

Back into Lopez Village we registered for the Tour de Lopez, (riders have a choice of 5, 12, 17 and 31-mile routes), and received our identity bracelets and found a small merchant mall with silent auction items. Th e entire Tour de Lopez is organized with local community volunteers who take a great deal of own-ership of this annual ride. Th e BITE of Lopez, held outside the Lopez Centre for Community & the Arts, off ered a delicious se-lection of chowder, wraps, tacos and fi sh cakes. Speaking to some of the residents of the island, we were told of other interesting

events taking place that evening. Th e Lopez Island Historical Society Museum was holding an outdoor reception for its mem-bers - we became the fi rst in-ternational members - and as a result were able to participate in the wine and cheese event. Th en on to Vita’s Cafe for an outdoor musical wine and cheese gather-ing, held each Friday afternoon. What fun! As dusk was upon us we cycled ourselves into bed.

Saturday morning, up to break-fast for bikers at the Resort. Weather looked iff y out over the spit, but our panniers held all the layers of clothing we needed just in case. And away we glide. Weaving along the quiet roads, along the shoreline past rows of mail boxes, long driveways and fi elds of sheep, cattle, horses and

llamas, extremely pastoral. We cruised up and down the very qui-et moss-lined roads with cyclists ahead and behind us all along the route. Lime green, red and blue used bikes marked the turns leading to rest stops, which provided facilities for bikers with snacks of juice/water/fruit and muffi ns.

Cyclists of all ages and ability (no spandex/lycra needed!) partici-pate in the lively tour, many repeat year after year. Th e ride has a selection of loop routes depending on your stamina and choice.

Hills were far enough apart to give riders enough time to energize for the next one. Lovely spring weather and refreshing scenery the entire route. We Canadians take for granted public beach access to the historic high tide line, where in America this isn’t the way it is: only posted pub-lic beach areas are accessible as all other water-front is marked “no trespassing” or “private”.

Welcoming all riders was a delicious lunch, included in the registration fee, again at the Community Hall, served by keen volunteers was served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beer garden, R&B band playing, sun out, all participants relaxing after a fantastic time riding the Tour de Lopez. Time spent exploring the shops of Lopez

Village, bakeries, coff ee shops, organic grocery stores and galleries before a seafood supper at Th e Galley restaurant and an early night it was.

Up very early Sunday morning to check out and ride the six miles to the 7:05 a.m. ferry to Friday Harbour, where we had time to stop for breakfast before boarding the 10:00 a.m. ferry back to Sidney.

What an exhilarating, energetic way to exercise and celebrate spring.

by Jill Croft

Photos: Jill Croft


Vancouver Island Bike

Builders - Marshal RathwellMetro Victoria has 32 bike shops

thats 4x the national average per-capita

Employing 200 people

by Michael Fisher

I met up recently with Marshal Rathwell – owner of Vancouver Island Bike Builders – to learn and discuss how bikes are built in department store outlets. You know, the place where bikes can start as low as $89.....

It came as a relief to learn that people like Rathwell have specialized in assembling bikes for some major outlets, as compared to simply setting someone with less experience loose with a tool set. Instead, Vancouver Island Bike Builders can safely assemble a mass mar-ket bike in about 15 minutes. Rathwell started the business after leaving the navy as an engineer and taking the Canbike courses and seeing fi rsthand how many bikes were poorly built and maintained. He can assemble bicycles on the company premises or take the bikes elsewhere, although the profi t margins are so tight that in most cases (as shown in the photo), he uses the retailer’s shop area to assemble and test each bike so it can immediately be placed on sale without transporting it back and forth.

Rathwell is the fi rst to acknowledge that you get what you pay for, so clearly a cheaper bike is built with cheaper components that will not work as well or last as long as a well made bike purchased from a local bike store. But, the quality of assembly varies widely and Rathwell was genuinely proud of the experience, tools and pride he uses with each as-sembly. Any bike poorly assembled or adjusted is dangerous and will lead to an unhappy customer or cyclist. Rath-well cited examples of department store bikes (which he claimed he had not assembled) where the brakes were misaligned or simply did not work, or the derailleur was not set up properly for all the gears.

So what is the diff erence between a department store bike and a quality one costing $700 or more? Quality is a sliding scale as a cheap bike (set up properly) may be quite serviceable for someone who rides a short distance once a year. On the other hand, with a greater budget there will be fewer plastic components and better quality metals will be lighter and stronger. Having the opportunity to test ride a proposed bike purchase will also provide some idea of the comparison which will loosely be tied to cost.

So the key message from a businessman such as Marshall Rathwell and Vancouver Island Bike Builders is to check out any bike you are considering purchasing and make sure that you understand how it is supposed to work and that it does what it promises. En-sure that the brakes work properly before riding it and immediately test the gearshift for clean smooth changes. Inspect the quality of the frame for any obvious problems and that the wheels are straight and can rotate easily. Generally, ensure that all nuts and bolts are tight and nothing is loose or misaligned. After using it for a few days, tightness should be checked and the chain oiled to ensure some longevity.

A continuing series of articles on bicycle-based businesses in Greater Victoria

Photos: Michael Fisher


BTWW By Lise RichardA group of young kids, or so they were at the time,

Sat together one day and started to rhyme,

off all the trouble and pains of commuter cycling,

they heard from colleagues; how their ears would just ring!

Th ey said to each other – what to do, what to do?

“More people on bikes is what we need to pull through.

To clean up our air, land and sea.

To be healthy and happy – besides, bike parking is free!”

Let’s make it a blast, show them all the fun,

We’ll to do it together; a team united as one!

With music and prizes, a launch party and a race,

Th ey’ll forget all the ‘cons’; we’ll put a smile on each face.

For more than 20 years this event has gone on,

11,000 new cyclists – a real phenomenon!

Wait! Th e culture is established annually they all know,

Bike to Work Week is back to inspire and grow

the number of people riding bikes for work or for play.

To celebrate those riding all year, or setting out on their fi rst day!

So spread the good word, the joy and the cheer

Of commuter cycling to all your circles far and near.

Encourage the newbies – but don’t do it with force,

Remember anyone can take a Bike to Work skills course.

You don’t have to be new,

We celebrate the whole crew!

Fair-weather to full-fl edger,

Bike to Work Week happens no matter what the weather.

But when and but where the crowds will all ask?

May 24 – 30th; watch for the details if you are up to the task.

Challenge the masses to ditch their steel stallion,

And get into the awesome two wheeler action!

With all the great sponsors and community support,

Th is event is so fun, the week seems too short.

Registration is free I am happy to say.

Chat with your colleagues and sign up today!

Photos: Lise Richard


Arbutus Cove Guest House

Th e perfect overnight

bike getaway from Victoria

and surrounding communities.

Arbutus Cove is a beautiful waterfront bou-

tique guest house located on the Galloping

Goose trail 37 kilometers from Victoria on

the Sooke Basin, a 3 hour ride.

3 private deluxe rooms, each with their own

entrances, queen beds and full bathrooms

share a huge waterfront deck with hot tub

await the cycling visitor.

A 15 minute walk takes you to the 17 Mile

Pub for supper and a breakfast is served

before your departure.

June 15 - Sept. 14 $150 ( for 2)

Sept. 15 - June 14 $125 (for 2)

Reservations:

arbutuscoveguesthouse.com

Top 5!

Bike-Inspired Art

Projects/Installations

1. People’s Bike Li-brary of Portland/ Zoobomb Pyle - by Brian Borrello and Vanessa Renwick, Portland, Oregon

2. Forever Bicycles - by Ai WeiWei (China), rotating/international installation

3. Cyclisk – by Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector, Santa Rosa, California

4. Young-Deok Seo’s Bike Chain Sculp-tures, South Korea

5. 100 Copies, by Th om-as Yang, Singapore

Photos: OCAC LIbrary


Book Review - Life is a wheel

To me, every book has a personal story behind it. In this case, it was as simple as my daughter wanting to go to the library, so I knew I had 32.2 seconds to grab a book at the same time. I quickly snatched Bruce Weber’s “Life is a Wheel” off the shelf, thinking it was a philosophical, life-expanding text. I had no idea at the time that it was also focused on cycling!

Life is a Wheel is about Bruce Weber’s second bike ride across the United States – a distance of 4,122.2 miles. What is amazing is not just that he did not suff er a single fl at tire, but that he also experienced a circle of life and a series of adventures encom-passing life, marriage and death. As a seasoned cyclist, Weber’s journey was about introspection as much as it was about cycling. Being the same age myself, I found it a completely vicarious expe-rience.

Th e journey snakes across the continent in the summer and fall of 2011, starting from a ritual tire dip in the water at Astoria, Oregon to an arrival three months later in New York. Unlike his journey in 1993, this time he carried GPS and blogging technol-ogy that meant he was never completely out of touch. Th is was a double-edged sword as it meant that he received and was expect-ed to respond to reader feedback, including from one slightly deranged individual who saw a cross-country bike ride as the pinnacle of pointless, self-centred pleasure. So?

What made this a particularly enjoyable story to me were the philosophical insights that Weber gained along the way. Riding a bike for three months seems to be an excellent time to reconsider what is really important in life – particularly when you break your own cathartic journey to attend the funeral of your best friend. Such is the fl eeting existence of life.

Th e good news about this book is that Weber makes some life- changing decisions while riding and moves onto the next stage of his life. With results like this, perhaps all indecisive people should take a three-month bike ride. Th e Epilogue is a surprising health scare that knocked him down and very nearly ended his life – I suppose this is the reason the book took almost three years to publish. A slight spoiler here: Weber survived and is grateful

that the health emergency happened in New York while close to a hospital, instead of hours from help in the wilds of Montana.

In summary, this is an enjoyable story particularly relevant to an older rider considering the meaning of life. Th at is not meant to sound trite – it is about how one person overcame adversity, persevered and ended up a better person.

Th e book is available from the public library or from bookstores with a list price of CDN$29.99.

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review by Michael Fisher


NEW NA ME, SA ME LOCATION.

1419 BROAD STREET, VICTORIA , BCCOME SEE WHAT WE 'RE UP TO. . .

Th anks to Greater Victoria Bike to Work Week Society Can Bike 2 was off ered this winter in Victoria.

Can Bike 2 is an 18 cycle instruction course of the Cycling Cana-da Cyclisme with an intent to improve the skills of intermediate cyclists. Th e class has a classroom component covering equip-ment, repairs, traffi c dynamics, crash and collision avoidance, and touring theory. Th e second component is practical and includes handling skills, group riding and riding arterials.

Th e highly recommended class was taught by Comox Valley instructor Ed Schum. Much of the focus and interest of students was on learning how to ride safely and eff ectively in traffi c; how to position oneself in a lane, navigating challenging intersec-tions, and communicating with drivers. Students increased their competence and confi dence and where reminded of the BASIC APPROACH TO SAFETY: 1. See 2. Be Seen 3. Be Predict-able.

More info about Can Bike 2: www.cyclingcanada.ca

Can Bike 2 Dean Rebneris

Photos: Dean Rebneris


Cycle Therapy is available in these locations

Help us advocate — Join the GVCC!

Want better bike lanes? Want our region to benefi t from cycle tourism? Want more sustainable transport? Your membership directly supports GVCC advocacy eff orts for cycling in our community.

Become a member today at gvcc.bc.ca/membership

20$/yr adult; $10/yr student, senior, or low income $35 household; corporate $80/yr; sponsor $100/yr; lifetime $300

Munro’s Books - Government St; Bolen Books - Hillside; SubText - UVIC; Open Space - LoFo; James Bay Coffee & Books - 5 Corners in James Bay; Solstice Cafe - Pandora; Bean Around The World - Fisgard; Cornerstone Cafe - Fernwood; Cafe Fantastico - Kings Rd; Fairfield Market - 5 Corners in Fairfield; McCrea’s Restaurant - Shelbourne; YM/YW - Downtown; Spiral Cafe - Vic West; Seed of Life - Government St; Habit Cof-fee + Culture - Pandora; Bicycleitis - Bay Street; Brentwood Cycle & Sports - Brentwood Bay; Capital City Cycles - Broad Street; Coastal Cycle and Watersports - View Royal; Cycles West - Burnside near Tillicum; Fairfield Bicycle Shop - 5 Corners in Fairfield; Fort Street Cycle - near Fort and Cook; Goldstream Ave Bicycles - Langford; Mac’s Cycle Centre - Shelbourne and Cedar Hill X; Marty’s Mountain Cycle - Esquimalt & Admirals; Munro’s Books - Government St; Bolen Books - Hillside; SubText - UVIC; Open Space - LoFo; James Bay Coffee & Books - 5 Corners in James Bay; Solstice Cafe - Pandora; Bean Around The World - Fisgard; Cornerstone Cafe - Fernwood; Cafe Fantastico - Kings Rd; Fairfield Market - 5 Corners in Fairfield; McCrea’s Restaurant - Shelbourne; YM/YW - Downtown; Spiral Cafe - Vic West; Seed of Life - Government St; Habit Coffee + Culture - Pandora; Bicycleitis - Bay Street; Brentwood Cycle & Sports - Brentwood Bay; Capital City Cycles - Broad Street; Coastal Cycle and Watersports - View Royal; Cycles West - Burnside near Tillicum; Fairfield Bicycle Shop - 5 Corners in Fairfield; Fort Street Cycle - near Fort and Cook; Goldstream Ave Bicycles - Langford; Mac’s Cycle Centre - Shelbourne and Cedar Hill X; Marty’s Mountain Cycle - Esquimalt & Admirals; Mountain Equipment Co-op - Downtown; North Park Bicycle Shop - Quadra & North Park; Oak Bay Bicycles - Oak Bay & Foul Bay - Kelly Road in Langford; Outpost Bikes - Sooke Rd @ Happy Valley Rd; Performance Bicycles - Quadra @ Reynolds; PM Bikes - Goldstream & Peatt; Recyclistas - North end of Switch Bridge on The Goose; Russ Hay’s The Bicycle Shop - Douglas & Hillside; Russ Hay’s The Bicycle Shop - Bevan & Second in Sidney; Selkirk Station Bicycle & Kayak - in the Railyards off the Goose; Sooke Cycle and Surf - Sooke & Otter Pt; Sports Traders - Irontown; Straight Up Cycles - Quadra & Tolmie; Trek Bicycle Shop - near Spinnaker’s; GVPL - all branches; Sidney Public Library; Bill Hartley Insurance - Douglas & Bay; Saanich Commonwealth Pool - Elk Lake Drive; Panorama Rec Centre - North Saanich

Follow the GVCC!

@GVCC facebook.com/

GVCCbcgvcc.bc.ca

cycle therapy spring 2015

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