Cycling enthusiasts ride on despite chilly day
Seven-kilometre trek marks Family Winter Bike Parade
A group of cyclists dressed in balaclavas, mittens, winter jackets and helmets met Sunday to brave the cold for the Ottawa’s second annual Family Winter Bike Parade.
The ride, a seven-kilometre trek through downtown and along the Rideau Canal that ended with warm drinks at City Hall, was organized by Citizens for Safe Cycling to show people that cycling isn’t just a warm-weather affair.
Adam Learmonth and his daughter, Penelope, 4, were among the 40 or so cyclists who weren’t fazed by the cold as they took part in the ride.
“This is the way I get to work,” said Learmonth, who takes Penelope to school by bike as well.
Penelope rides on the back of her father’s bike and holds on to child-sized handlebars assembled by Learmonth. When asked if she gets cold on the way to school, Penelope shook her head and pointed to her mittens and winter jacket.
Risa Sargent, a winter cyclist and CFSC board member, said that winter cycling is not hard so long as routes are cleared of snow and ice.
“A lot of the bike paths are covered with ice all winter long,” she said, adding that the most challenging part of winter cycling is finding a barrier-free route.
Sargent said she recently had to carry her bicycle over her shoulder while crossing through Confederation Park because the pathways were impossible to navigate.
“There’s a lot of people who are walking through the parks, so it’s not just cyclists who would benefit from more clearing of pathways in the winter,” she said.
Sargent said winter cycling is not all that different from cross-country skiing and that riders just need to wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Hans Moor, president of CFSC — a volunteer association that promotes safe cycling in Ottawa — said the sunny, -16 C day was perfect to promote winter cycling as a way to remain active.
“We do this winter bike ride because we think it’s important to show people in Ottawa that you can cycle in the wintertime as well,” he said. “A day like today proves that it can be done.”
Learmonth said he feels safe riding his bike in the winter. He uses studded tires and covers his bike and helmet with reflectors to ensure he is visible to cars when the sun sets.
But this season hasn’t been free of accidents for Learmonth. While travelling across a metal-grated bridge a few weeks ago, he slipped on the road and slammed his knees and hands down into the metal.
“I have metal studded tires and I went to hop off the sidewalk onto the road and my bike just slipped right out from under me.”
Learmonth said he ended up with a swollen and bruised wrist, but, calling the incident a mistake, said that he has not been discouraged from winter bike riding.
“It’s an activity that’s really fun in the winter, it gets me outside and it’s great fitness. And I save a lot of money on gas and wear and tear on my car.”
Moor said that accidents like Learmonth’s are relatively uncommon. He said cyclists need to be a bit more cautious than in the summer, watch out for icy patches, and keep their hands, feet and faces warm.