Ottawans braved the cold late last month for the second annual family winter bike parade.
Citizens for Safe Cycling recently held its annual family winter bike parade to promote winter cycling in Ottawa, following the release of a new survey that shows a 40-per-cent increase in daily bike trips by commuters over the past six years.
More 50 cyclists took part in the bike parade in late January to encourage residents to keep their bikes out for the winter season.
Cyclists, dressed in winter jackets, scarves, and mittens, followed a seven-kilometre route through Centretown that began at city hall.
“I bike all year round now and I want other people to see that it’s easy and you can do it too,” says avid cyclist Lana Stewart. “It’s not crazy, it’s not hard. It’s just winter in Ottawa.”
The 2011 survey, released on Jan. 24, showed an increase in daily biking by 40 per cent since 2005, according to the Origin Destination Survey for the National Capital Region.
The number of daily bike trips in Ottawa surged from 29,220 in 2005 to 40,950 in 2011.
“Improved cycling infrastructure is what helps increase cyclists in Ottawa,” says CFSC vice-president Alex deVries. “Build it and more people will come.”
Other key results show that full-time workers and students took over more than 78 per cent of all bicycle trips over the 24-hour period.
Men make 68 per cent of cycling trips.
The proportion of trips made by women, however, increased from 28 per cent in 2005, to 32 per cent in 2011.
The segregated bike lanes on Laurier Avenue and other improved cycling infrastructures are some of the reasons for the increase in biking trips, says deVries.
“The city has invested a lot in bike lanes and there are new projects coming up in the future that will make downtown Ottawa more attractive and hopefully attract more cyclists.”
Staying healthy and saving money may have also contributed to the increase of cyclists, says CFSC president Hans Moor.
“Cycling makes common sense,” says Moor. “Gasoline hasn’t been cheap for a long time and it’s easier for residents to save money.”
More winter cyclists on the streets can also encourage the city to keep its bike paths cleared of snow, says deVries.
While encouraging winter biking can help promote better cycling infrastructures, Moor says this increase can pose safety concerns.
Cyclists say avoiding paths with ice or snow can make winter biking safer and more enjoyable.
Dressing in warm clothing and always riding with a light and helmet on are also important in keeping with bike safety.