[horselover]

Flat roads are easiest for anyone. I can't ride hills at all.

[Matc]

Downhill is nice

[Raptor235]

lol it's all about how much exercise you want to get

ps it would be nice to get one of the eBikes if you have to go far to work... but the thing is I don't want my bike to get stolen... my normal bikes got stolen 3 times now in Toronto... so a ebike would be an even bigger target

[horselover]

Do you have a link to the ebike info? I've had bikes stolen as well. Ironically the one that was in the accident was stolen a couple weeks after the accident.

I'd like to get more excercise(as if I don't get enough at work), but am so out of shape that it would be hard on an oridnary bike.

And yes downhills are nice, it's the uphills that I dispise. Can't we get rid of them?

[housefinch]

I've recently joined a cycling advocacy group in Vancouver Canada because I respect what this group does, and they've had many important successes.

They are a heavily political group, attending council meetings, public forums, writing letters to politcians, and yes, public events and demonstrations. It takes a hard working nucleus.

In my opinion the easiest, and cheapest way to improve bicycle infrastructure is to have it incorporated at the initial design stage. Whenever new roads are designed or existing roads upgraded.

Also media exposure is important. Make cycling look fun and easy and more people will want to do it. For example June will be Bike to Work Month. Contests and advertiseing to get people out of their cars.

I invite others to write about their city, problems and successes.

[Raptor235]

Biking in Toronto is ok, there are some good path ways but downtown can be dangerous last year I got hit by a car so I'm really paranoid right now when biking on streets.

[housefinch]

How would you feel about cycling with friends?

critical mass vancouver - June 2006 - 00602 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Dreamweaverr]

Some of the problem is also cyclists themselves. Some just don't follow basic safety and traffic rules . Sometimes it amazes me what little common sense many I have seen have. I love to see cyclists out and about. The other thing is drivers often are not on the lookout for cyclists. Bike lanes are often non existant or merely lines on a road that have been put there to follow regulations without the education to support them going out to the general public. I really like the programs that encourage safe and serious biking for children so that it starts young and gets ingrained in their minds. I know when I was small getting my first real bike was pure freedom and joy.

[Matc]

At uni it was most people not some that cycled badly. I remember when I was a kid you weren't allowed to cycle to school unless you'd passed your cycle profiency test. Half the people I know don't even cycle with working breaks, it surprises me there aren't more injuries.

[housefinch]

Yes I'm surprised what a bad rep cyclists have made for themselves

I have to stand up and say that sometimes I have added to this problem. I will admit that sometimes (minimizing is a useful rationalization for bad behaviour ) when I'm cycling I feel physically strong and this energy can express itself aggressively, taking chances, being inconsiderate of others. Its mostly after the fact I become aware of my behaviour and I do make a mental note to check myself, then I do it again. Sorry.

Despite the road rage I believe cycling is the best transportation option for reduceing oil dependency.

o7O