HALIFAX, N.S. — There has been quite the stir recently on proper bike etiquette within the Halifax Regional Municipality. A small group of cyclists have stepped up [pedaled up?] to meet the needs of the growing bike community. Many may have already seen some of their flyers and online posts about their upcoming event – Opposite Day. The goal for this event is to provide cyclists and drivers alike with adequate bike awareness and some tips and tricks to ensure the safety of the 2-wheeled individuals. The catch is that this event is only advertised to cyclists. Anyone else who is not traveling on two-wheels will only see a photograph of a walkable city plan – a fool-proof design to ensure drivers will quickly dismiss the ad. The Mackerel was able to ask the event’s very own Verte Green a few questions leading up to the day.
Green stated that her initial idea came from the huge differences in pedestrian and cyclist safety rules.
“Why do we have to go with the traffic, and every pedestrian has to go against the traffic? And why do people on foot have the most right of way? It’s time we cyclists make a stand,” says Green.
Showing her list of rules she’ll introduce with her Opposite Day team, Green ensured that all of them were well thought out and would “greatly improve” multi-type traffic in Halifax. Green’s suggested rules include the following:
– Cyclists must drive against the grain of vehicular traffic to ensure direction and speed of said vehicles
– Cyclists must catch and maintain eye contact with drivers to assert dominance as they bike head on towards them
-Cyclists should periodically include alternative maneuvers within their routes to ‘never let them know your next move’
Green was even able to show The Mackerel a tentative route for cyclists to use, including a black diamond challenge-route which includes a one way, dual-sided parking stretch on Carmichael Street, a huge ramp to jump over the Grand Parade block, before continuing down George Street. Cyclists are expected to sign a waiver prior to participating in this event.
By Katelyn Spurr