Bicycle Commuting is Climate Action
New Complete Streets Makes for Safe Commuting
The City of Nanaimo is investing in Complete Streets to make commuting safe for everyone. That includes people walking, rolling, or taking transit. The complete street shown in the photograph also has visual and textured markings to communicate intersections and crosswalks. This formerly perilous street, for any other than in a car, provides children with a safe walk to school. It also connects to the E&N bike trail. This extends the opportunity to ride safely, providing a pleasant connection to the businesses and shopping district at the other end of the street.
Helen Bicycle Commutes Everyday Through Sun, Rain and Snow
Helen just retired her last bike. She rode it for five years and clocked 12,000 kilometres. She leaves her car parked and only drives for long excursions. According to Tree Canada, by not driving her car Helen has avoided 2.63 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. If she had driven her car, she would need to plant 15 trees to offset her emissions.
Helen says, “I love seeing the same people each morning and smiling and saying hello. Making connections that you wouldn’t normally get in a car. Bikers, dog walkers, (and) people at the bus stops.” She has noticed an increase in commuters, especially on the E&N trail and expects there will be more on the new Metral Drive Complete Street once construction is complete.
By not using her car for commuting, Helen maintains her fitness level and saves money on gas and car maintenance. Lots to smile about! Cycling does indeed provide lots to smile about, according to Cycling Weekly’s 15 benefits of cycling article. In case Helen’s smile doesn’t convince you that cycling is great for your mental health, the article quotes a research study by the YMCA that found “people who had a physically active lifestyle had a wellbeing score 32 % higher than inactive individuals” (Arthurs-Brennan, 2022). Some other benefits listed in the article and likely of interest to commuters are that cycling is good for brain health, immune health and can help with weight loss.
A fun way to get into cycling is to join GoByBikeBC. GoByBike offers online cycling education for those wanting to learn to ride and be streetwise. But the main event happens each spring and fall. That is when GoByBike works with municipalities and organizations to promote a week of cycling that is supported by fun events, and prizes for teams or individuals who log their bike rides.
The City of Nanaimo Cycling web page is a good resource for route maps and other local cycling info. If you think you want to scrap an old car and buy an electric bike ScrapItBC offers rebates toward electric bikes purchased from a participating vendor.
Thank you, Helen Gibbons, for sharing your story.
We are thrilled that Vince & Marianne are benefitted from all of these upgrades, especially their heat pump! Thank you for sharing this article. I am going to pass it along others in similar circumstances to help them see that they too can improve the comfort level of their own homes and do it in a more affordable way.