It wasn’t until avid cyclists, David Weiskopf and his fiancé, Laure Larocque rode in Kentucky that they noticed something was wrong with Northern communities.
What they expected to be a hostile road of cars passing too close to them, angry drivers telling them to get off the road or any other form of anti-cyclist sentiment turned into something a lot more encouraging.
“It was weird at first, having a line-up of cars waiting for us and even smiling and waving as they passed by,” Weiskopf said. “We knew then that we had to do something to make a difference.”
Since then, Weiskopf, with the aid of Dave and Jade Nighbor of 9 Lives Design, have launched a community awareness campaign. The goal is to try and create a safer environment and build community support, by launching an awareness campaign to create a safer road for cyclists.
You may have noticed in the last year the billboards across town with the message to leave a metre of space when passing a cyclist; a message Weiskopf hopes will get the conversations started to get North Bay on track as a cycling destination.
“The last year was quite small to feel things out, but this year, with the help of the Ministry of Transportation funding, we can really take it to the next level.”
With attractions such as the Kate Paceway, Weiskopf noted that North Bay would be a natural cycling destination, but was still in its infancy as a cycling community and that the $9,000 from the Ministry of Transportation as well as all the support from their sponsors would go a long way to realizing this goal.
“It’s equally important for motorists and cyclists to adhere to the rules of the road,” he said, noting how road safety is a two-way street. “It's hard for motorists to respect cyclists who don't respect the rules of the road.
In addition to more billboards—including one in East Ferris—they’ve launched a new website, and have started a social media campaign. For the next eight weeks they will be giving away prizes to those who like and share the Facebook page.
Weiskopf said he’s definitely noticed a change in motorists on the road since the billboards went up.
“I’ve heard a lot of comments about the campaign and even had a recent experience on Ski Club where drivers actually moved over to pass,” he said, noting how that one-metre awareness has been picking up. “Where we go from here though, is really dependent on the support of the community,” he said.
“I think the next big step would be getting all the other Northern communities on board with this.”
