Calgary cycle tracks highlight need for education

There is a downside to the cycle tracks for cyclists, namely dealing with an influx of new and perhaps less-than-considerate riders.

• Bike map launched in tandem with opening of Calgary's cycle track
• Downtown cycling spikes since track installed

"I think the number one complaint is people passing maybe a little aggressively in the cycle tracks," said Sean Carter, the owner of local shop BikeBike. "It hasn't happened to me an awful lot, but I've definitely heard from people complaining about it."

He's also personally experienced the phenomena known as shoaling — when you pull up to a red light on your bike and someone skips the line by stopping in front of you.

"I think it's this idea that 'I'm faster than this person, I'm just going to go past them,' when in fact you should probably just relax," said Carter.

Cooler heads

Kimberley Nelson, president of advocacy group Bike Calgary, says there were complaints on the group's discussion boards at first. 

"I think it was tempered by wiser and cooler heads that were saying a lot of these people are new," she said. 

"The entire point of the cycle tracks was to get new people out there, so maybe they just don't quite get it yet. But I think after a couple of weeks of riding they'll start to figure it out."

Both Nelson and Carter think education is a priority, both for two wheelers and motorists, ensuring everyone understands the rules of the road.

"When a driver yells at somebody to get off the road and get on the sidewalk because he feels that they're in their way, if I'm a person that doesn't know the rules, I just might get on the sidewalk," said Nelson.

Education needed

"We have to educate everybody, so that everybody is on the same page, everybody knows what the message is and that people are doing what they need to be doing."

Calgary Eyeopener8:51Cycle track rage

Road rage among cycle track users? Not quite, but it sounds like manners are missing among some two-wheelers. Two long-time riders talk about getting back on track with cycling etiquette 101.

And when it comes to the cycle tracks, it goes beyond educating aggressive cyclists and maybe getting them off the tracks altogether, according to Carter, who often rides in traffic while on his road bike because he's travelling too fast for the protected lanes.

"There are still those road warrior type people out there who have no problem riding in traffic but the cycle tracks are not necessarily for them, and if they are going to ride in them they should act respectfully around these new cyclists," he said.

The city offers several tips for cyclists heading out onto the new tracks in downtown:

• Take extra care at intersections, alleys and entrances to parkades, as vehicles turn across areas where people will be riding bicycles. 

• When cycling, use the bike turn box to reposition your bike in the direction you plan to travel.

• Watch and obey new bicycle signals that have been installed at all intersections.

• New multi-use crossings for people walking and cycling have been added at key intersections along the route. When cycling, please ride slowly and with care. Use the pedestrian walk signal. 

The city also has a list of courses and camps available for those looking to brush up their skills.