Darrell's Bicycle Pages

Education, Advocacy and Publishing

Projects

1. Canadian Cycling Association, 2006. CAN-BIKE Cycling Development Project, funded by Transport Canada "Moving on Sustainable Transportation" (MOST) program. The CAN-BIKE Cycling Development project was a 1.5-year program to increase the use of bicycles for transportation in selected target areas. A group of five CAN-BIKE National Examiners worked on building capacity for communities to offer CAN-BIKE courses, expanded the local instructor base in each province, developed new communication tools for instructors and the public, and developed new curricula to meet local community needs. More information.
   
   
2. City of Saskatoon, 2006. Review of Saskatchewan Highway Act and selected municipal bylaws. Report on legislation and ordinances governing vehicle and bicycle operation in selected Canadian provinces and cities, including: provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Newfoundland; and cities of Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Ottawa and St. John's. The purpose of this report was to review current practices related to regulation of bicycles and interactions between bicyclists and motorists, and to present recommendations for bicycling in Saskatoon. Part 1 examined each provincial act or municipal bylaw and included an assessment of: it's purpose; definition of bicycles (and similar vehicles) and their operators/drivers; equipment and accessories which may be used on bicycles; bicycle operation permitted on certain roads, pathways or other facilities; rules of the road applied to cyclists; and areas of overlap, weaknesses, ambiguity or omission within and between legislation and ordinances. Part 2 proposed elements that comprise effective and fair regulation of cyclists, consistent with accepted traffic principles. Part 3 contained recommendations for regulating cyclists in Saskatoon. Appendices: Model Municipal Bicycle Code; Uniform Vehicle Code Pertaining to Bicycles; Bicycle Operation on Roadway - Side-of-the-Road Law; Saskatoon Bicycle Bylaw No. 6884 (comments and recommendations); Sample Helmet Laws (including American examples); Cyclists on Freeways. References cited.
   
   
3. City of Saskatoon, 2003 – 2005. Annual bicycling seminars for municipal engineering, planning and development professionals. The one-day seminar consists of CAN-BIKE II classroom modules, on-bike skills, and short ride in downtown urban environment, designed to acquaint municipal staff with cycling issues and accepted practices.
   
   
4. P.O.W. City Kinsmen, Saskatoon, SK, 1995 - 2004. Bike-Ed Saskatoon. Delivery of Kids CAN-BIKE classroom and on-bike skills to grades two to four pupils in Saskatoon public and Catholic schools. Project included adapting Kids CAN-BIKE Festival curriculum to school setting. Available online (browse to “CAN-BIKE/Education”).
   
   
5. Saskatchewan Cycling Association, 1999 - 2001. Sport History Project: a history of cycling in Saskatchewan. Project committee participation and research leading to manuscript, then publication, of sport history book. Edited manuscript for publication.
   
   
6. Saskatoon and District Safety Council, 2000. Saskatoon Cycling Study. Designed survey of Saskatoon cyclists, including observational surveys of adult and child cyclists and mail-back prospective surveys of commuter cyclists.
   
   
7. Meewasin Valley Authority, 1996. “Sharing the Trail - Action and Prevention: A Workshop on Multi-Use Trail Safety”. Organized and facilitated workshop on multi-use trail safety. Delegates attended from throughout the prairies, primarily from cities within the Saskatchewan rivers basins and with trail networks similar to the Meewasin Trail.
   
   
8. Meewasin Valley Authority, Recreational Pathway Users’ Survey, 1995. Survey designed to assess safety concerns of users of the Meewasin Valley Trail recreational pathway system in Saskatoon. Three surveys were developed to assess users’ attitudes and behaviours: (a) prospective survey (questionnaire); (b) observational survey to determine trail use patterns; and (c) observational survey to measure trail etiquette and hazardous behaviours. Conclusions and recommendations proposed initiatives to improve the safety of trail users by reducing conflicts among users, using two models of intervention. In addition, technical problems and issues were discussed.
   
   
9. Meewasin Valley Authority, 1995. Trail Safety Committee. Established Meewasin Valley Trail Safety Committee (and served as first chairperson), including developing terms of reference and mandate of the committee. Developed recommendations for: communication and community liaison programs; media relations and promotions; and trail ambassador program.
   
   
10. Meewasin Valley Authority, 1995. Trail Ambassadors Program. Created and launched a community-based volunteer program dedicated to the safety, well-being and enjoyment of users of the Meewasin Valley Trail. Objectives: to actively promote and encourage safe use of the recreational pathways of the Meewasin Valley; to provide safety and injury prevention services to people using the recreational pathways; to provide resources to support volunteer members of the program; and to establish and maintain liaison with organizations which have an interest in the trail network, safety, tourism, recreation and leisure. Developed and published job descriptions for coordinator and volunteers. Developed training and orientation program. Developed action plan for establishing and maintaining the program. For volunteers intending to patrol on bicycle, CAN-BIKE Introduction to
    Cycling Skills was provided.

Publications

1. Share the Road: Drivers - Cyclists. City of Saskatoon, 2004. Bi-fold utility bill stuffer designed to inform motorists and cyclists of accepted cycling practices. Available online from City of Saskatoon website.
   
   
2. Cycling in Saskatoon: Quick tips for getting around the city by bicycle. City of Saskatoon, 1998. Pamphlet providing advice to cyclists on rules of the road and accepted practices (CAN-BIKE concepts and principles) to follow when riding in urban areas. Includes information on Saskatoon's bicycle bylaw and Meewasin Trail etiquette. Available online or as PDF from City of Saskatoon website.
   
   
3. Rediger, Pat, Riding with the Wind: The history of cycling in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Cycling Association and The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 2001. ISBN 0-9681965-4-3. Darrell Noakes, Editor. A comprehensive history of cycling in Saskatchewan, the book begins during the days when bicycles were not only a recreational item, but also an essential mode of transportation. It progresses through the years as cycling developed road and track races, BMX stunts and races, randonneuring, touring and mountain bike racing. It highlights our provincial racing champions, looks at important events, profiles hard-working volunteers, and answers any questions you may have ever had about cycling in this province.
   
   
4. Bicycle Safety Resource Guide for teachers and community leaders. Saskatchewan Coalition on Bicycle Safety, 1996. A comprehensive guide for teachers and community leaders who instruct children in safe cycling. Includes videos, manuals and accurate and up-to-date information. Available through the Saskatchewan Cycling Association, Regina.
   
   
5. Community Workbook on Multi-Use Trail Safety. Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon, 1996. Follow-up publication to "Sharing the Trail - Action and Prevention: A Workshop on Multi-Use Trail Safety", presented by The Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May, 1996. The focus of the workshop was to generate ideas for enhancing the safety of everyone who uses multi-use recreational pathways. Safety concerns ranged from issues related to crime and vandalism, conflicting trail use goals among different segments of the public, maintenance issues, to trail accessibility and design. Delegates from throughout the prairies attended the workshop, sharing solutions to problems as diverse as the towns and cities they represented. This workbook condenses the experiences of those who attended the workshop, to help them plan for a safe and enjoyable system of multi-use trails in their community.

Teaching

Bicycling Education

1. CAN-BIKE II. A defensive course for adult cyclists (age 14 and older). This advanced course is for commuters and recreational cyclists who already ride in traffic. Program includes classroom sessions, handling skills on paved lots and riding in all traffic conditions. Successful completion is a prerequisite for instructor training. Taught since 1994.
   
   
2. CAN-BIKE I. A basic course for adult cyclists who usually ride on residential streets or bike paths. Taught since 1994.
   
   
3. Bicycle Touring Skills I and II. Introductory courses for the bicycle tourist. Course covers bicycle basics, traffic and group riding skills, equipment selection and tour planning, and includes a short day tour. Ages 16 and up. Taught since 1996.
   
   
4. Designing, Organizing and Leading Bicycle Tours. This course is for leaders who are planning and conducting tours or “common adventure” tours (no official leader) with friends. This is a classroom course with advanced content to help experienced cyclists develop leadership skills. Taught since 1996.
   
   
5. CAN-BIKE Adult Learn-to-Ride 2. For adults who are too unsteady to ride on streets. Often taught with Adult Learn-to-Ride 1. Taught since 1998.
   
   
6. CAN-BIKE Adult Learn-to-Ride 1. For adults who cannot ride a bike. Taught since 1998.
   
   
7. Kids CAN-BIKE. Bicycle basics for 9 – 13 yrs. In-class and on-bike instruction teaches signalling, steering, right and left turns, changing gears, braking and avoiding road hazards. Young cyclists are taught to ride safely to school or to the local swimming pool on residential streets. Taught since 1994.
   
   
8. Bicycle safety for elementary students. Classroom and on-bike practice to prevent cycling injuries in children aged eight and nine (grade three). It permits students to develop responsible habits and attitudes and to practice skills needed for later instruction on-road. This program is based on principles of CAN-BIKE and is presented to students by trained and certified CAN-BIKE Instructors. Taught since 1996.
   
   
9. Commuter Cycling 101. Saskatchewan Environmental Society. Delivery of CAN-BIKE Introduction to Cycling Skills to novice and casual cyclists who had expressed a desire to begin commuting by bicycle. The course was held over two weekday evenings, one week apart, coinciding with an annual commuter challenge and environmental awareness campaign. CAN-BIKE I classroom session was followed by Introduction to Cycling Skills on-road practice. Taught since 2005.
   
   
10. Learn to Commute by Bicycle. Four-week workshop series for Saskatoon Cycling Club. Taught since 2004.
    
    
11. Learn to Tour by Bicycle. Five-week workshop series for Saskatoon Cycling Club. Taught since 2004.

Bicycling Instructor Development

1. CAN-BIKE Skills II Instructor Workshop. Two-day workshop plus additional take-home essay exam, instructor road exam and handling skills test, to provide certification for CAN-BIKE II Instructor. Taught since 1996.
   
   
2. Kids CAN-BIKE Instructor Seminar. Half-day seminar to provide certification for Kids CAN-BIKE Festival Instructor (CANBIKE I graduates) or Kids CAN-BIKE Course Instructor (CAN-BIKE II graduates). Taught since 1996.

Other

1. Defensive Driving Course. Canada Safety Council established, proven classroom program designed to reduce collisions and develop life-long safe driving habits. Taught since 2003.
   
   
2. CSPS First Aid. Canadian Ski Patrol System first aid course, recognized as Class A standard first aid training by Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board. Taught since 1986.
   
   
3. Nordic winter survival workshop. Weekend survival and rescue skills workshop for Canadian Ski Patrol System nordic ski patrollers. Taught since 1993.
   
   
4. Winter safety for nordic skiers. Afternoon workshop for skiers and public interested in preventing skiing and environmental injuries in the outdoors. Taught since 1996.

Communications Strategies and Media Relations

1. Saskatchewan Environmental Society, 2003. Hike-Bike Commuter Challenge. Created publicity event designed to demonstrate efficiency of bicycle transportation/commuting in heavy urban traffic. Cyclists and motorists were challenged to complete a series of typical tasks or errands in heavy urban traffic. Participants were required to follow all rules of the road, to travel at normal safe speeds, and to drive defensively (e.g. CAN-BIKE principles for
   cyclists).
   
   
2. Saskatchewan Cycling Association, 1997. Created media and advertising campaign to promote bicycle safety. Creation and distribution of radio public service announcements and newspaper "fillers" for rural media.
   
   
3. Meewasin Valley Authority, 1995. “Share the Trails” campaign. Advertising and media campaign to improve safety of multi-use trails in Saskatoon.

Presentations

1. “Interaction of Bicycles and Motor Vehicles”, presentation to Roads, Routes and Responsibilities: Western Canada Traffic Association Annual Conference, Regina, August 29, 2001. Available online, with appendix.
   
   
2. “Working Together for Safety: Bicycle Education for Safety”, presentation to ITE Saskatchewan conference, Regina, June, 1995. Available online.
   
   
3. “Traffic Safety Issues and Cyclists”, presentation to the Traffic Safety Committee, City of Saskatoon, June 7, 1994. Available online.

Advocacy

1. City of Saskatoon helps local cycling businesses protest proposed 30% surtax on imported bicycles, December 10, 2005. Available online.
   
   
2. Proposed 30% bicycle surtax harms cyclists and local bike shops, November 3, 2005. Available online.
   
   
3. Comments to the City of Saskatoon on the Circle Drive South River Crossing Functional Planning Study, February 10, 2005. Available online.
   
   
4. Saskatoon Bicycle Plan good for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians (in response to an earlier editorial), January 8, 2003. Available online.
   
   
5. More available (browse to “News”).