It’s not just Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver where cyclists are feeling threatened. It seems like there are more and more riders facing crappy conditions. Here at Canadian Cycling Magazine, it’s a neverending story of cyclists in collisions from motorists–whether they are pros, commuters, whatever.
And plus, there’s this weird bike lane war going on across the country, with two factions fighting for, or against, critical cycling infrastructure. And this weekend, sh*t got weird…again.
Meanwhile, in Whitehorse
Almost two years after the death of Whitehorse rider Joseph Morrison, more than 100 riders returned to the Alaska Highway to honour his memory. It wasn’t just a ride. The riders were also urging governments to do more to improve road safety. A common theme, it seems, these days.
The second annual Memorial Ride for Safer Streets, organized by the Cycling Association of Yukon, retraced part of Morrison’s regular commute between Holy Family Elementary School, where he worked, and the Canada Games Centre, as reported by the CBC. The event also served as a demonstration, with riders calling for protected cycling infrastructure and safer commuting routes.
Time for change
“It’s been two years since Joe was hit, and the only tangible change that we’ve seen … is speed reduction,” Cycling Association of Yukon president Steven Biss told CBC. “It’s welcome, but it doesn’t prevent these kinds of things from happening.”
Cyclists ride to honour cyclist killed in Whitehorse hit-and-run
Morrison was killed in a hit-and-run collision while riding through Rabbit’s Foot Canyon on the Alaska Highway in 2024. Since then, advocates have repeatedly pressed for separated bike lanes and other safety upgrades. The problem is, not much has changed, according to locals.
The concerns extend beyond infrastructure. Cyclists say aggressive behaviour from motorists has become increasingly common, with reports of close passes, verbal abuse, honking, garbage being thrown and vehicles intentionally spewing black smoke at riders. For those whore .”are interested, it’s a particulary douchebag move thats known as “rolling coal.” What’s rolling coal, you ask?
Rolling coal, pals, is the practice of modifying a diesel vehicle to intentionally emit large clouds of black exhaust smoke by injecting more fuel than the engine can efficiently burn. I mean, everyone needs a hobby i guess.
Local races problems
Organizers of a recent criterium series even contacted the RCMP after confrontations with drivers during road closures.
“I recognize that those of us on bikes who are sharing the road with cars accept a certain level of risk,” Dana Eisinger told the CBC. “But those risks can be mitigated by better infrastructure.”
The memorial ride drew several Whitehorse city councillors and Yukon MLAs. While politicians acknowledged support for safer roads, they noted meaningful improvements will require cooperation between different levels of government and dedicated funding.