Cyclists will show solidarity with confreres in Quebec

A group of die-hard Yukon cyclists will be taking to the streets of Whitehorse tonight to show their support for winter riders on the other side of the country.

Prompted by a recent road death, the town council of La Tuque, Que., is urging local police to enforce a 20-year-old winter-biking ban.

But Whitehorse’s hardy riders want the councillors to know that with the right preparation, cycling on the ice and snow is just as safe as cycling on clear streets.

“I understand them looking out for people,” says local bike commuter Ashley Camara.

“But there are a lot of other things they could do to keep people safe, like ensuring riders use lights, are properly equipped and have winterized their bikes.”

Serge Venne was killed earlier this month while cycling in downtown La Tuque.

The driver of a passing tractor trailer moved aside to avoid the 45-year-old man, but readjusted too soon. He caught Venne with one of the hooks sticking out the side of vehicle’s bed, according to Const. Pierre Rivard of the Surete du Quebec. Venne was pulled under the wheels of the truck and died.

“The police said it wasn’t weather-related, but (the councillors) are still trying to enforce the ban,” Camara pointed out.

Camara added that winter sports such as snowmobiling are much more dangerous and result in several deaths a year, yet La Tuque is not suggesting a ban on snow machines.

The Ontario native who now works at Yukon College doesn’t describe herself as an avid cyclist; she started riding every day out of necessity.

“I got a job at the college and I didn’t want to buy a car, so I just pushed my bike out one day and did it.”

The circumstances led her to a valuable discovery.

“I couldn’t find my bike helmet that first day, so I used a motorcycle helmet instead. It’s fantastic.”

The big, padded helmet keeps her head warm in frigid temperatures and offers extra safety should her wheels slip out from under her.

Apart from riding in solidarity with the cyclists in La Tuque, the biking enthusiasts here want to show other Canadians that their bicycles can be a year-round vehicle.

“If I can do it in Whitehorse in -30, then there’s no reason people can’t do it in the rest of Canada,” Camara said with a laugh.

The riders will be setting off from LaPage Park between 6:00 and 6:15 p.m. tonight.