Bike Sense

Welcome to Powell River: home of BC's first small-city semi-protected intersection! It may be one small step, and it didn't come without controversy — but Anastasia Lukyanova, Sustainability Planner for the City of Powell River, sees it as a victory. What will it take now, to satisfy the City's demands for transportation alternatives and build a comprehensive cycling network in Powell River?Check out Powell River's Bicycle Network Strategy HERE.Read about the controversial M...

The City of Penticton gained infamy when its City Council tried to ban discussion of bike lanes until 2026. One Councillor's political about-face almost stopped the bike lanes, but a clever amendment and determined advocates got the project back on track.Matt Hopkins tells the story of how four friends and their farmers' market bike valet kick-started cycling improvements in Penticton. Now, the 6.5 km Lke-to-Lake route is nearing completion.To get involved contact Matt at&nb...

New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone answers the $4 billion question: What would happen if the BC government spent as much on active transportation as it is does on one tunnel crossing? Answer: Castlegar would have a full bike and pedestrian network, and New West would be Copenhagen. Johnstone makes a passionate case for why this level of spending is needed to meet BC’s CleanBC transportation goals, which would also solve the "congestion problem". He also explains why road pricing (t...

Is helmet-wearing the key to safe cycling ? Maybe NOT! Kay Teschke, retired UBC Prof in Occupational and Environmental Health, joins Peter to debunk misconceptions and talk about what really makes cycling safe. Whether it's helmet laws, safe passing distances, bike lights, or cyclist-pedestrian conflicts — Kay's got the data and she's not afraid to use it.Read about the BC Government's controversial Bill 23 legislation regarding safe passing distances around cyclists HERE.Ch...

Shared Mobility Architect Sandra Phillips believes in connecting the dots between shared transportation modes to help people get around safely and quickly, while reducing dependence on privately owned automobiles. Movmi, her BC-based consulting firm, has worked with communities from Switzerland to Vancouver, and from Moncton NB to Portland, Nelson, Osoyoos, and New York state — helping communities structure and finance shared cargo bikes, e-scooters, cars, and even electric autono...

Peter Ladner brings in son Brendan and daughter-in-law Amanda to dish on the reality of life as a bikes-only family in Whistler, BC. We talk ice, snow, studded tires, e-bikes, irate drivers, singing kids, and Whistler's political will — or notable lack thereof.Read about the Whistler Climate Action Plan at www.whistler.ca/climate-action/big-movesPlease feel free to reach out to Amanda Ladner at amandabelle@gmail.com if you'd like to talk Whistler, bikes, or family cycling.**...

Kamloops Pediatrician Dr. Trent Smith is a passionate advocate for active transportation, starting with the basics: how our kids get to school. Kent talks to Peter about the benefits of getting kids out of cars, building safe routes to school, changing cultural norms around cycling, the success of this spring's 'Drive to 5' pilot project, and how we can start moving the needle beyond major urban centres.Read more about the City of Kamloops Safer School Streets HERE.To exchange ideas, co...

Peter Ladner talks to Matt Vader, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture, District of Lake Country, about the amazing 50-km Okanagan Rail Trail starting at the north end of Kalamalka Lake and ending at Okanagan Lake in downtown Kelowna. Okanagan Rail Trail - Where Will It Take You? Learn why this is more than a trail, and how to celebrate and join the community spirit in giving back to this treasured amenity. okanaganrailtrail.ca*****************************************...

As Mayor of Tofino, Josie Osborne was a prime mover of the spectacular multi-use trail from Tofino to Ucluelet, through Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island.Join host Peter Ladner in conversation with Josie, who tells us which MLAs ride their bikes to work, her reaction to the huge uptake on the province's e-bike rebate program and her favourite sections of the trail.For more info about ʔapsčiik t̓ašii - the Tofino-to-Ucluelet trail - visit: park...

Welcome to Bike Sense: the podcast of the BC Cycling Coalition. Join host Peter Ladner as he talks to guests about all things related to cycling advocacy, education, and road safety in BC. Listen to stories that can influence changes that make active transportation and mobility safer, more equitable, and more accessible, so we can meet our climate, health, social justice, tourism and economic development goals. Please visit our website at bccycling.ca to find out more about what the BC Cyclin...