Commuters who cycle to work are at higher risk of injury compared to those
who walk to work, use a car or take public transport.
The findings are released today in a study by the University of Glasgow and
published in the *British Medical Journal (BMJ)*.
Overall, commuting exclusively by bicycle was associated with a 45% higher
risk of injury that required a visit to hospital, and cycling commuters
were also at a 3.4 fold higher risk of injury where the cause was listed as
a transport accident. The risk of injury was higher still in those that
cycled longer distances to work.
However, the researchers found that the risk of injury is counterbalanced
by the lower risk of cancers, heart disease and deaths seen in cycling
commuters.
Senior author of the study, Dr Paul Welsh, from the University of Glasgow,
said: “We know there is a perception that cycling in commuter traffic is
dangerous, and that this perception may be putting people off actively
commuting by bike to work.
“Now, as a result of this research, we can to some extent quantify the risk
associated with this form of commuting. If 1000 people incorporate cycling
into their commute for 10 years we would expect 26 more injuries, but 15
fewer cancers, 4 fewer heart disease events, and three fewer deaths. So,
the benefits offset the risks, and this should be encouraging, but more
needs to done to make commuter cycling safe.”
https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_714428_en.html
A growing wave of New Yorkers are embracing cycling to get to work and
around the city as their regular subway and bus commutes have suddenly
become fraught with potential perils, from possibly virus-tainted surfaces
to strangers sneezing and coughing on fellow passengers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-bike-commute.ht…
First announced December 15, 2019.
The Portage la Prairie RCMP is rolling out a new initiative to help return
stolen bikes to their owners.
Cst. James Cameron is heading up the program.
"I'm a new member to the RCMP, arriving in Portage la Prairie in June of
this year," says Cst. Cameron. "During my time here, I saw an opportunity
in the community to assist in recovering stolen and lost bicycles. RCMP
have responded to over 50 calls of theft of bicycles this year alone."
He says you can get your registration card at the detachment and it doesn't
take much of your time. The information on the card is entered into a
database and they will contact you if your lost bike is found.
"The service is free and could assist in getting you your bicycles returned
to you," says Cst. Cameron. "I hope that you take part in it, and we
encourage that all members of the community that own bicycles to
participate."
https://www.portageonline.com/local/sign-up-for-the-rcmp-s-bicycle-registry…
More info:
The RCMP in Portage recently established a bicycle registry. This is
voluntary and will assist in recovering stolen, missing, abandoned bicycles
to owners. Serial numbers are crucial. RCMP will work with Portage Fire
Department to enhance returning bikes to owners.
Process to Register a Bike:
Person submits Portage la Prairie RCMP Bicycle Registry business card with
bike info to RCMP station. Additional info can be added on the back of the
card, ex: owner name and address, unique features of bike.
RCMP local detachment maintains a database (Excel spreadsheet) with above
information.
RCMP is open to enhancing this initiative as it rolls out to the public.
Bicycle Registry cards are available at Two Tired Boys, The Greasy Chain,
and RCMP detachment. It is not mandatory that a bicycle be entered into
this registry at point of sale, however, The Greasy Chain will endeavor to
do this as much as possible on sold and repaired bicycles. Process to be
established for The Greasy Chain.
Self-driving cars focus of bill
THE provincial government has introduced legislation to set the ground
rules for the testing of self-driving vehicles in Manitoba.
Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said the proposed Vehicle Technology
Testing Act (Bill 23) would create a framework to enable examination of
automated vehicles.
“It is something that industry has asked for, that they be allowed to test
on our roads,” he said of vehicle manufacturers. “They would like to have
some kind of structure put in place.”
Schuler said the province has considered the move for more than two
years. He said following passage of the bill, the government would develop
regulations and a permitting system in consultation with stakeholders.
“By enabling developers to safely test emerging vehicle technologies on
provincial roadways, we are supporting Manitoba’s large agricultural,
trucking, heavy-vehicle manufacturing and technology development sectors,”
Schuler said.
Companies would have to obtain special insurance coverage, he said. “We are
not going to ask Manitoba ratepayers at MPI to cover off, should something
happen.”
— Larry Kusch
The Montreal Gazette reported Bird and Lime e-scooters were popular, but
compliance with helmet and parking rules was poor. E-Scooters may have had
their problems, but they have a huge potential because the average trip on
the scooters was just 1.5 kilometers (1 mi), and in 2019, 25% of the trips
were linked to public transit. More than 50,000 riders took more than
200,000 trips in 3 months. The city's executive committee recently outlawed
self-service rental vehicles following a pilot last summer that saw the
vehicles deployed in various locations across the city. While the system
called for the scooters to be returned to designated areas after their use,
in many cases users simply left them on streets and sidewalks when they
were done. Police also issued more than 300 tickets to users who ignored
the city regulation requiring they wear a helmet while riding the scooters.
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-pulls-the-plug-on-e-sc…