Bike safety event draws beginners and pros

Advanced and novice cyclists learned that cycling basics can be difficult through a series of skill-building courses at Dalhousie’s Bike Rodeo.

Sam Chen is a Dalhousie student who participated in the obstacle course.

Chen said he considers cycling more of a sport now. He used to bike every day in his hometown of London, Ont., but when asked if he plans to bike on Halifax roads, he replied: “No, not yet.”

“I noticed that there’s one difference between roads in Halifax and in London,” he said. “[There aren’t many] special areas for people bicycling. I think that’s one thing that can be improved.”

Dalhousie’s Sustainability Office held the Bike Rodeo Wednesday as a part of its Green Week series of events. The event catered to students looking to participate in safety training and promote environmental sustainability.

Rochelle Owen, the director at Dalhousie’s Office of Sustainability, is an experienced cyclist. She shared the knowledge she’s gained from biking on Halifax streets, as well as from taking the Can-Bike safety training course run by Cycling Canada, an Ottawa-based association that promotes the activity.

Owen said one of the most important safety skills for cyclists to learn is balance. A competition involving riders who could bike the slowest without stopping tested students’ balance skills at the rodeo.

Owen also offered a note of caution.

“Probably the most dangerous [area] is at intersections,” said Owen. “At an intersection where someone is turning right is often the place where accidents happen.”