Can-Bike Summarize and Analysis

Cars and other motor vehicles used for transportation causes the emission of green house gases (GHG). In 2002, along with the Kyoto Protocol governments stated a mission on reducing the amount of GHG’s emitted by the year 2012. The solution entails the population to use fewer cars and more bikes as a mode of transportation. Governments state this will be both economically, mentally, and physically beneficial for the population.
Following recent trends, the amount of cyclers on the road are increasing, with almost double in British Colombia and Ontario since 2001. Unfortunately, the Canadian census only includes the use of a bike, as transportation to work rather than many other purposes the population requires traveling. The census also excludes a variety of months during the year, therefore, excluding the months of rain and snow. This may alter the statistics gradually due to the impracticality of cycling as a mode of transportation. However, using this information, other recent trends include a decrease in cycling fatalities and injuries by 61% in Ontario. Therefore, if there continues to be an increase in the population cycling, there will be more awareness and consideration in society for cyclists.
There are many policies that range from Federal, Provincial and local government. The Federal government had neither funding nor policies for cycling until 2003. Provincial involvement varies by province. For example, Quebec is exceptionably known for their advocacy towards cycling including road paths and funding. Unlike Quebec, Ontario provides almost no funding or planning to advocate for cycling transportation. This is reflected in the remarkable statistics in Quebec versus those in Ontario. When there is a positive development from the government, it is evident that funding and advocacy plays an influential role on the population’s choice of transportation. The convenience of cycling also plays a large role in the populations decision. The local government creates bike lanes and barriers as well as bike parking at rail transit stations and bike racks on buses or trains.
Quebec’s cold weather does not stop the population from choosing cycling over driving. This province accomplished a high rate of cycling with a low rate of injuries. They provided convenient bike paths, lanes and routes on less trafficked roads as well as separate bike paths over shared roads. This may sound more appealing to the population of Quebec, looking at the benefits and accommodations cyclists have, and may wish to take part in this method of transportation. Once it is more convenient to the population, it becomes more popular and accepted in society. Quebec not only provides convenient accommodations but also provides promotions to convince the population to choose cycling. Velo Quebec is a non-profit organization that sets up tours, conferences, races and cycling courses to promote the smart choice of transportation.
Ottawa’s percentages of cyclists are higher than those of the Toronto Metropolitan area. However, both cities have succeeded in the improvement of safety. As a result, injuries have decreased by 33% in Ottawa and 9% in Toronto. In British Colombia, the decrease in injuries is a result of cycling facilities, traffic calming in neighborhoods and improved education and training. The Can- bike program is designed to promote practical day-to-day purposes of cycling as well as providing education on this matter. They promote through the Internet and newspapers on safety concerns and solutions towards cycling. In order for Can-bike to appeal to society, they must provide all benefits for this mode of transportation as well as its special accommodations. Perhaps this program should become more well known and promote cycling to people of the younger ages, specifically high school students who are in the process of receiving their license. Once the younger generation begins a trend of ‘green’ transportation, there may be a chance that it will follow prior to that generation. Due to the suburbanization and the inconvenience of living in North America rather than Europe, it is a difficult task to convince the population that a slower and harder working means of transportation would be beneficial for the environment and themselves.
Evidently, there has been an increase in Edmonton and Calgary as a result of their cycle plans and multi-use trails. If Can-bike is able to appeal to the population by offering the health and economic benefits as well as the danger of green house gases, there may be a trend to follow. The convenience and safety of cycling plays a major role in reaching out to the population. If there are more promotions and negatives towards automobile transportation such as traffic and unpleasant stress, the population would no longer neglect cycling and become open to a new beneficial means of transportation.