Remember, Ride, Reimagine
As many of you would have heard or seen in my newsletter Monday morning, there will be a memorial ride for Joe Morrison on Monday, June, 16th starting at Holy Family and ending at the Canada Games Centre. The community organizers of the event want us to REMEMBER Joe, RIDE on, and REIMAGINE safe and inclusive active transportation(AT). Soon after sending the newsletter, I heard the news that our Canada Summer Games para cyclist, Darryl Tait, was hit by a vehicle on the highway on Saturday, June 7th while out training on his handcycle.
This news, coupled with the memorial ride for Joe, has reaffirmed that the fight to improve active transportation routes and create safe alternatives for vulnerable road users is still ongoing. We know that vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected in accidents with motor vehicles and with the increase in availability of e-bikes, more people than ever are choosing active transportation. This is to say nothing of the increase in cyclists using the roads and highways for training purposes, like our CSG athletes. While it may seem hopeless in the wake of these kinds of tragedies, there are tangible steps individuals can take so that we can reimagine safe and inclusive transportation together.
- Join an Organization - The Whitehorse Urban Cycling Coalition has been meeting and working with government (Both City of Whitehorse and Highways and Public Works) for years to provide input and guidance to create AAA (All ages and abilities) networks of transportation. Chainwhip Community Bike Space is volunteer run drop in bike shop that values community partnerships and provides services to marginalized cycling groups in our territory. U Kon Echelon, Velonorth, and Contagious Mountain Bike are all cycling clubs where you can meet like-minded riders and boost their membership numbers to support their mandates. While CAY has historically had a smaller role in shaping Yukon AT, our primary purpose includes cycling for sport and recreation and we are driven by our membership's directive. We collaborate on programs with individuals and organizations to get bums on bikes and we would be happy to connect you to resources or support your initiatives.
- Use Your Voice - Sharing your personal story with friends, family, and government sends a powerful human message and there are multiple avenues to get in touch directly with both City of Whitehorse and Yukon Government in the case of needed improvements, dangerous situations, or alert them to community needs. It is our job as citizens to hold the city accountable to their Transportation Master Plan and help to shape the new Motor Vehicles Act regulations of Yukon Government. As well, the Whitehorse RCMP is currently seeking public input into their policing priorities. We can emphasize the need for more enforcement around speeding, impaired or distracted driving, and small dangers like tinted windows and obscured license plates that make cycling less safe.
- Stay on Your Bike - The ride on Monday is a critical way to show support, but this goes beyond one ride. Make the safest choice for your comfort, but be visible and present as a cyclist in all the ways you can and don't let motorized vehicles take over transportation corridors that we have the same rights to. Continue to ride and use the streets, roads, and highways we have for active transportation and training; join group rides, organize rides with friends, bike to your appointments, wear your bike helmet indoors, come to council meetings, protest unfair practices, talk about your bike with others, and don't be pushed further into the margins.
- Give Back - Support organizations with mandates you believe in. Every single organization we have linked (including ours) is volunteer-run. Giving back your time or money bolsters the capacity of these organizations to achieve their initiatives. We appreciate any way that supporters choose to give back.
- Don't Give Up - While the above suggestions might sound nice, it can be hard to get back on the bike and scary to think about how vulnerable we are after these tragedies happen. In the past week I've felt grief, anger, and frustration at the inherent unfairness of what happened to Joe, to Darryl, and to countless others in myriad close-calls, honked horns, and other stressful or aggressive interactions. Now is the time for us to capitalize on public awareness of what is happening so that we can push for change. There are thousands of cyclists in Whitehorse alone and we have power in our numbers and passion.
I hope to see you all out there tomorrow*, let's use this opportunity to create safe transportation options for everyone
--Steve
*Although we're not organizing, CAY is honoured to promote this event and amplify participation
