Bike to Work

May 9, 2008 - Now that the City of Campbell River is hosting their first Bike to Work Week this June 2-8, it’s time to start planning how you are going to get to work by bike. The City Campbell River has adopted a series of bicycle routes, designed to allow recreational and commuter cyclists to get from point A, i.e. your home, to point B, i.e. your workplace, safely and efficiently.

We are a few short weeks from Campbell River’s first Bike to Work Week. Impressively, there are over 45 teams registered and many people are already out enjoying the spring weather and riding. The popularity is not surprising as there are many great motivations to pedal to work.

One night last winter as I was driving home from a friend’s house, I almost hit a cyclist. She was walking her unlit disabled bike on the right hand side of a dark shoulder-less road with her back to traffic. In case that wasn’t dangerous enough, she had even decided to dress in black, like a ninja with a death wish.

Question: What is the most important piece of cycling safety equipment? Lights? Helmet? Horn? The answer, if you happen to be riding while you’re reading this article, is underneath you. Nothing is more crucial for living to tell the tale than a well maintained bike.

Some bike owners are fanatics. Like equestrians grooming their horses, they wipe down their bikes after every ride. The smallest squeak causes them to lubricate, adjust or even disassemble the offending part. Other cyclists are, not to put too fine a point on it, bike slobs. Their bicycles are rust covered, gear crunching, brake squealing monstrosities.