Those of you who follow along (and know me personally) know I gave up a vehicle in an effort to become more physically active, utilize public transit, save money, help the earth and eliminate any excuse to visit a drive-through. One thing it didn't save me was time. More about that below.
Starting May 1, when my husband's hours roll back to a work day that starts before the sun rises, I have no means to ferry my daughter to her before-school program which is at a daycare centre in the middle of nowhere. It's next to an on-ramp for the 401 which makes it a dream for parents who commute but isn't serviced by public transit, which is a nightmare for parents like me. Switching her to another place isn't an option as this is the only place that provides private busing to school and I can't find a provider near her school who can care for her and walk her to school. I live in a rural area. Options are limited.
Earlier this month, I bought a bike and bike trailer. The bike trailer has a built-in seat that allows me to tow my kid while I ride the bike. Getting her to ride beside me on her own bike will come in time. But for now, towing is easier.
For the past couple weeks I've been training myself for the 6 km round-trip bike ride. Some of you are probably thinking "Pshh, 6 kms?! I can do that in my sleep!" And you probably can, but I've been lazy for too long and I'm am out of shape so I need to condition myself as I gear up to yet another lifestyle change.
In total, it's 16 minutes there and 20 minutes back (4 minutes round-trip in a car!). Coming back is slightly uphill, but over time, once my body gets more in shape, I should be able to cut these times in half.
Here's the skinny...
The daycare centre opens at 6:30 am. The bus comes at 7:09 am. I have to get up at 5:15 am. Ugh, I know. The kid and I have to be on that bike and riding by 6:10 am. I have to give myself a little extra time in case I need to take it slow due to weather, especially wind.
There's a small stretch I have to do on a narrow road with no shoulders. It's nothing but asphalt and ditch. The speed limit is 50 km/hr. Please, no one does that. In my training, I've come across some real superstars.
It's terrifying that my daughter is behind me where I can't see her but I have mirrors where I can see approaching cars and some of these assholes come up too fast and then play this ridiculous game of chicken where they get as close as they can to the trailer and then swing suddenly around us. I've had this happen three times already and I'm ready to mount a digital video camera to the rear of the trailer so I can record these jerks. You know, for the court case.
According to the Highway Traffic Act, drivers must give me space.
Vehicles meeting bicycles
(4) Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (4).
I stay as right on the roadway as I can but the road is too narrow to allow for a vehicle behind me to go around me when there is a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
Bicycles overtaken
(6) Every person on a bicycle or motor assisted bicycle who is overtaken by a vehicle or equestrian travelling at a greater speed shall turn out to the right and allow the vehicle or equestrian to pass and the vehicle or equestrian overtaking shall turn out to the left so far as may be necessary to avoid a collision. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (6).
I'm also lit up like a Christmas tree with a flag on the trailer, lights on the trailer, lights on the bike, illuminating strips on my helmet and a safety vest. I'm hard to miss.
I know there are cyclists who are jerks, too. Cyclists that don't wear helmets, who run stop signs, who weave in between cars, etc. But I'm not THAT cyclist so you don't need to be THAT driver.
By the time I get back to my garage to dismount and park the bike and trailer, I have 19 minutes to change and walk to the bus stop.
This is gonna be fun!
20 comments:
I wish you well!
I will admit, that I have a bike, but never ride it. I am petrified of the cars that come up behind me and treat me like I am "that cyclist". I know when I am driving, I stay as far away from cyclists as I can. I also do the same with pedestrians waiting to cross the street - wait as long as it takes to make certain they don't change their mind and cross the other direction at the last minute.
I think right now, you are a novelty. I doubt many people are expecting to see a bike/trailer at that time of morning, on that road. If they are regular drivers, once they know that this will be a regular thing, they should (fingers crossed) change their driving style.
Of course, you may need to re-train them next spring too.
I haven't done my training in the morning and I haven't ridden at that hour yet. That starts May 1.
I've ridden mid-afternoon on weekends and some evening rides between 7pm and 8pm.
You're right, Squiggles, that where I live people don't expect to see me but once it becomes routine, drivers who take the same route as me will learn to anticipate me.
Off topic: Scotia must have changed their minds, I have access to your site again!
On topic: I think it's great you are doing this! I live in Whitby and I ditched my car three years ago. And for the drivers I've always believed people should have to be retested every 10 yrs or so to keep their license. So many people forget the rules (and rules change).
Thanks Todd
I appreciate the support.
I've had to talk myself down a view times from walking into a dealership and giving in but I need to do this.
The one thing I would be worried about is being all sweaty after that bike ride... then having to quick change and leave again. Are you going to try to get in a shower? It will only get warmer into May... I am concerned for you!
The cycling wear I've bought is made to absorb and transfer. I haven't figured all those logistics out yet but I can shower in 7 mins... This is all going to be very interesting.
I have co workers who ride to work who don't shower and they smell fine to me.
I have to see how how my body reacts. In my training, I haven't sweated very much.
At least I'm near the lake so it's cooler?!
CJ: Although it will be coolish (~20C) at the time of morning in August, it will still be humid. You will end up sweating buckets, unfortunately (so make sure you drink plenty!). The good news is that if you're showering right away, it won't have time to get yucky. (Fresh sweat doesn't really smell - it's when's it's been hanging on your body all day that it gets bad)
Also, kudos to you for being so determined about this! I live near downtown Whitby, and getting round without a car isn't easy, so it must be waaay harder in rural Clarington.
It's interesting ... I'll give ya that.
I have to add my congratulations! I would never have given up the car for that amount of time lost!
I truly hope it turns into this awesome mommy/daughter ritual, and not a car/sweaty/stressful pain in the a$$.
Hey CJ.
I have to say that I admire what you are doing. I just want to throw this out there; I live in Clarington (Newcastle) and drive to the Whitby station every morning, so if you want to consider car pooling, I could pick you up and drop you off at night. If you are interested, let me know and I can give you my contact information.
Cheers!
Seb
Thanks Seb!
Pass it over in email. Be nice to have that on file should I get sick of the bus.
On bad days, I'm cabbing it down to her daycare. It's not so much the bus-train issue.
It's getting the kid to daycare when there's no bus and no car to take her.
Good luck! At least in is getting brighter in the morning. Just be careful, I have had an accident with towing my child in a bicycle hitch, the driver was charged with reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an the accident. Luckily I was the only one hurt and was off of work for a month.....all of this happened on a scenic ride around the water front. My advice, if it become too much, forget the bike and by a cheap beater! All the best!
What kind of rear lighting system do you have on your bicycle and trailer? Various solutions are available through retailers, or if you like to DIY, you can search Instructables.com (e.g. http://www.instructables.com/id/Light-for-life-Shining-bright-cycling-jacket/).
Risk Assessment 101 says go to Plan B at the first close encounter. The consequences are too great. Is there another parent at the day care centre who could help you? Or, as already suggested, buy a beater for the 6 km. trip, and get rid of it once your daughter graduates from day care.
Actual tail lights. But I'll take a look at that site to see if I can make further modifications.
I hear you about risk. There is another route I can take. It's a little longer but safer. I'm going to do a trial run this weekend.
I'll keep you posted.
I remember when you talked about this before C.J. I give you credit but there's no way I'd do it. I just wonder in the end if the little bit you will save is worth it. I'm with Peter about buying a beater, minimal insurance with no collision. As for the environment, meh, I'm not into hugging trees. I don't doubt you will take every precaution necessary, please be careful!!!
Hey CJ,
Important point about your qoute - the key words are "who is overtaken". In other words, if a car isn't overtaking you, then you not obliged to move to the side.
That means if there's one lane (each way), you do *not* have to move off the asphalt to let vehicles by.
(Also, you can ride wherever you want in your lane, including the middle. Stay away from the edge if it worries you).
What are your contingency plans for inclement weather, e.g. heavy rain, high winds, hail, and (eventually) winter? If you believe I'm too negative on this, please tell me to shut up. I won't take it personally. ;-)
We have taxis in the sticks.
;)
@Peter - WOW, we sure think the same!!! Again, stay safe C.J. and take care of that precious "cargo".
@lswgirl13 - Great minds think alike.
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