The Prince George Cycling Club is hoping to hear from local urban cyclists and promote cycling advocacy at a public meeting on Sunday.
Club urban cycling coordinator Erica Kang said she hopes urban riders will come out to discuss the state of cycling infrastructure in the city and identify priorities for the club's advocacy work. The free, open public meeting takes place on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Art Space.
"Really, I just want people to feel welcomed," Kang said. "I'm really hoping to get a solid group of people involved in bike advocacy."
Some of that advocacy may be in the form of encouraging the City of Prince George to take further action on its Active Transportation Plan, which was adopted in October 2011, she said.
"That Active Transportation Plan is actually pretty amazing," Kang said.
However, she said, there remains a number of barriers discouraging Prince George residents from riding their bikes within the city.
"There is a real inconsistency in bike lanes. Often they end abruptly," Kang said. "[And] there is often cares parked in the marked bike lanes, so you have to weave in and out between cars."
Both situations can be dangerous to cyclists, especially when combined with motorists who don't treat cyclists as equals on the road, she said.
"I've gotten the impression people don't feel we belong on the road," she said. "I've been yelled at."
A third barrier for bicycle commuters and recreational cyclists is the lack of cycle parking downtown, she said. Often bikes have to be locked to a tree or parking meter.
"You don't really feel like your bike is secure with those improvised solutions," she said.
Kang said she became an avid cyclist and bicycle advocate while living as a student in Vancouver. Vancouver has made significant improvements to its cycle infrastructure in recent years.
"I was a poor student. My only means of transport was biking," she said. "I feel there is so much room for potential in this town."
