Letters - Learn about your bike

by Mark Weston, UVic student

In your recent cover story (Three cyclists hurt, Oct. 11) your description of two of the three cycling accidents was, in essence: the cyclist braked and either went over the handlebars or off the bike — no collision with a vehicle actually occurred.

As a long-time commuter cyclist, I fully sympathize with the cyclists in question but I want to advise them, and all other regular cyclists, to be more aware of how to handle their bikes in emergency situations. A commuter cycling skills course, like those offered (for free) through the UVic Bicycle Users Committee will teach riders how to emergency brake without flying over the handlebars as a result — in brief, shift your weight backwards as you slam on the brakes, and all will be well.

I encourage the cyclists involved to learn from their road rash, as I have from mine, and keep on cycling.

http://martlet.ca/view.php?aid=39835