Filed under: The Ride
Looks like the weather is set to co-operate with us just in time, and we’ll hopefully have sun for Friday afternoon!
We’re currently communicating with the city regarding the route – it all looks good so far – and hopefully we can share it all by late-afternoon tomorrow!
Only four sleeps left. I’ll be dreaming of peacefully cycling through the city, will you?
Filed under: The Ride
One of the most prevalent questions about the ride is how on earth we’ll manage to have a “social ride” while adhering to the rules set out for cyclists in the Motor Vehicle Act.
While I hope that all the participants will enjoy meeting and mingling at the beginning and end of the ride, the actual riding part is all business.
First off, the only way to ride within the law is to ride single-file.
Second, the purpose of the ride is to demonstrate that cyclists, even (perhaps especially) in large numbers can and do want to behave like traffic, and in return be treated by all other road users with the respect that everyone on the road should be giving each other.
So yes, we’ll be riding single-file, with due care and attention to the roadways around us.
Critical Manners is about being the change we wish to see in the world, and if we wish to truly be recognized and respected as traffic, we certainly need to ride within the rules of the road, as all other traffic is required to do.
Filed under: The Ride
There has been so much amazing feedback and awareness around this ride – I’m absolutely floored!
Route-planning is underway, and once it’s cleared with the city and VPD, we’ll publish more details, including a meeting point for the evening of Friday August 14th.
In the meantime, stay tuned to our twitter account (@criticalmanners) and watch for stories of the ride in the local news. This is shaping up to be quite the event! Thanks everyone for all your support and enthusiasm so far.
Filed under: Safe Cycling
A big part of Critical Manners is cycling within the parameters of the law.
But what exactly is that?
According to section 183 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, In addition to the duties imposed by this section, a person operating a cycle on a highway has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle.
The rest of the section goes to explain the specifics of placement on the road (as far to the right as is practical, without being required to ride on unpaved areas), riding on sidewalks (illegal!) and how to turn left at an intersection where there is more than one lane from which left turns are permitted (tongue-twister!).
The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition has posted a summary of the sections of the act that specifically deal with cyclists, and you can view the entire text of the MVA here.
I highly recommend at least reading the GVCC’s page, if you aren’t up for devouring the entire act, before the ride!
Filed under: The Ride
Listen in to AM 1410 in Vancouver at 10:35 this morning when Critcial Manners Vancouver organizer Jennifer Watkiss chats with Kate Gajdosik about the ride!
Filed under: The Ride
Along with following the rules of the road, here are the Rules of the Ride for Critical Manners:
Filed under: Safe Cycling
A couple of resources to review as everyone gears up for the ride in a couple weeks:
BicycleSafe.com (how to not get hit by cars)
ICBC’s Bike Smarts program handbook.
The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition’s resources page.
Any other resources we should all know about? Post links in the comments.
Filed under: The Ride
The most important thing to know:
The Critical Manners Vancouver Bike Ride will take place Friday August 14th at 6:00pm in Vancouver.
I’m still thinking about a good meeting/starting point and bike route through the city – feel free to comment with your suggestions.
Happy & Safe riding!
Critical Manners Bike Ride Vancouver 