A Safe Cycling Statement

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2022-10-22
 
Velo NB would like to express their condolences to the families and friends of the two cyclists killed by motorists in the past two weeks, one in Moncton and the other in Saint John. These are not isolated incidents, accidents and fatalities involving cyclists have been all to frequent on our New Brunswick roads. This does not even take into account the near misses that cyclists are subject to while trying to enjoy our roadways they are entitled to use. Whether its print or social media the lack of understanding of laws governing our roads by the general public is sadly lacking. Improvements are needed both in driver education programs for new drivers and ongoing public education.
 
A growing interest in Active Transportation which turned into a surge during the COVID pandemic has not been matched by all communities in New Brunswick with investments in AT infrastructure. Six years after the death of Ellen Watters which resulted in Ellens Law little has been accomplished by the provincial government in the way of educating the public on the rights of cyclists to use roadways, providing a strong regulatory framework under the Motor Vehicle Act to support safe cycling, or investments in improving Active Transportation.
 
Velo NB have repeatedly stated that New Brunswicker’s who are out cycling are improving their physical and mental health and providing benefits to the environment by reducing greenhouse gases by taking cars off the road. This increase in cycling has been aided by the accelerating growth and usage of E-Bikes. The provincial government and local governments need to acknowledge this growth with increased investments in AT infrastructure and strong regulations to improve safety for cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
 
What needs to be done;
1/ Establish a print and social media campaign to be run each year to educate drivers on their responsibilities regarding road safety with respect to cyclists and vulnerable road users. A campaign which ran after the tragic death of Ellen Watters was sadly discontinued two years after she passed away. The province should instruct Driver Training Programs to include a section on driver responsibilities and safety concerns around cyclists and vulnerable road users. Driver exams should include sections on cyclist safety.
 
2/ Velo NB needs to be listened to in our discussions with the Department of Public Safety. The recommendations we have made in our meetings with the provincial government over the past six years which would provide a higher standard of safety on our roads are often dismissed out of hand by civil servants. We never need to hear again from a Minister of Public Safety that “cycling safety is a low priority”.
 
3/ New Brunswick does very little to educate drivers that we have Ellens Law in effect in this province. The education program for both New Brunswicker’s and tourists entering this province should include billboards notifying drivers that 1 metre of space has to be given to cyclists when passing them on roadways. An increase in signage is needed throughout the province reminding drivers that a 1 metre law is in effect and that roads are to be shared.
 
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL
Call or email your MLA to ask for action on implementing new regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act and ask for improved investments in Active Transportation, and driver education campaigns.
 

Supporting Women Ride Leaders in NB

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This month Velo NB worked with Womens Ride Leaders from around the province to participate in a Level 1 PMBIA training course. These Ride Leaders are part of their local communities, participating and organizing in local groups that promote women in cycling. Velo NB started working on this project in 2019, but due to COVID restrictions we had to postpone for a couple of years. We want to thank former president Melissa Bordage for starting the project, Julie Levesque for organizing, PMBIA for facilitating, and the Government of New Brunswick for funding. 

The following is from Julie Levesque our Women’s Cycling Chair

Une belle initiative de la part de Velo NB a permis de rassembler des femmes passionnées de vélo de montagne à devenir instructeures.


Une certification PMBIA – Niveau 1 a été offerte à Edmundston pour permettre l’avancement des femmes et des filles dans le cyclisme de montagne.


Provenant de différentes communautés du notre province, elles ont échangé des apprentissages tout en y trouvant le plaisir de se dépasser. Un bel engouement afin de transmettre la pratique du vélo de montagne dans un milieu sécuritaire et inclusif !


Félicitations à toutes les participantes !

Comité de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion
VELO NB

July 2022
Edmundston, NB

A great initiative on the part of Velo NB has brought together women passionate about mountain biking to become instructors.
A level 1 PMBIA certification was offered in Edmundston to enable the advancement of women and girls in mountain cycling.

Coming from different communities in our province, they exchanged learnings while finding the pleasure of surpassing themselves. A great enthusiasm to transmit the practice of mountain biking in a safe and inclusive environment!


Congratulations to all the participants!

Diversity and Inclusion Committee
VELO NB

Velo New Brunswick Announces Athletes for Team NB at the 2022 Canada Games / Velo New Brunswick annonce les athlètes d’Équipe NB aux Jeux du Canada de 2022

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Velo New Brunswick Announces Athletes for Team NB at the 2022 Canada Games

Velo New Brunswick is pleased to announce the cycling team that will represent New Brunswick at the 2022 Canada Games in the Niagara Region.

The mountain bike events will consist of a sprint race, a team relay, as well as a cross-country race. Coach Remi Mantion will be joined by Annie Jean in leading the team at the 12 Mile Creek Course.

In the road competitions, athletes will compete in an individual time trial, a criterium, as well as a road race in the Niagara Region. The road team will be lead by coach Gregory Lapalud.

The female road team will consist of Émilie McIntyre, Laurence Arseneau, and Florence Levesque. A promising road team that has shown themselves well in competitions across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.

The male road team will see Noah Lydon joined by Colby Sirois, Maxime Ouellette, and Pascal LeBlanc.The team has picked up strong results in local competitions leading up to the games, and are looking forward to a strong summer.

The mens mountain bike team is made up of Anthony Arseneau, Noah Lydon and Antoine Lacombe. A young team that represents a growing youth movement in the New Brunswick mountain biking scene, and a culmination of learnings and experience from 2022.

In the female mountain bike competitions, New Brunswick will be represented by Vanessa Thomsen, Émilie McIntyre, and Laurence Arseneau. A strong team that has competed regionally and nationally with great results.

President Marc Gaudet, “We are very proud of our cycling athletes, they have been through a very strenuous qualifying process and will represent the province of New Brunswick very well.”

We look forward to seeing our New Brunswick athletes in Niagara, and wish them the best.

Anthony Arseneau – Dieppe (MTB)
Antoine Lacombe – Saint-Jacques (MTB)
Colby Sirois – Grand Falls (Road)
Émilie McIntyre – Memramcook (MTB/Road)
Florence Levesque – Dieppe (Road)
Laurence Arseneau – Beresford (MTB/Road)
Maxime Ouellette – Drummond (Road)
Noah Lydon – Fredericton (MTB/Road)
Pascal LeBlanc – Notre-Dame (Road)
Vanessa Thomsen – Lutes Mountain (MTB)

Velo New Brunswick est heureux d’annoncer l’équipe cycliste qui représentera le Nouveau-Brunswick aux Jeux du Canada de 2022 dans la région de Niagara.

Les épreuves de vélo de montagne comprendront une course de sprint, un relais par équipe, ainsi qu’une course de cross-country. L’entraîneur Remi Mantion sera rejoint par Annie Jean pour diriger l’équipe sur le parcours 12 Mile Creek.

Dans les compétitions sur route, les athlètes participeront à un contre-la-montre individuel, à un critérium, ainsi qu’à une course sur route à travers la région de Niagara. L’équipe sur route sera dirigée par l’entraîneur Gregory Lapalud.

L’équipe féminine sur route sera composée d’Émilie McIntyre McIntyre, Laurence Arseneau et Florence Levesque. Une équipe sur route prometteuse qui s’est illustrée dans des compétitions à travers le Nouveau-Brunswick et la Nouvelle-Écosse.

L’équipe de route masculine sera composée de Noah Lydon, Colby Sirois, Maxime Ouellette et Pascal LeBlanc, qui ont obtenu d’excellents résultats dans les compétitions locales précédant les Jeux et qui espèrent passer un bon été.

L’équipe masculine de vélo de montagne est composée d’Anthony Arseneau, Noah Lydon et Antoine Lacombe. Une jeune équipe qui représente un mouvement de jeunesse croissant sur la scène du vélo de montagne du Nouveau-Brunswick, et une culmination des apprentissages et de l’expérience de 2022.

Dans les compétitions féminines de vélo de montagne, le Nouveau-Brunswick sera représenté par Vanessa Thomsen, Émilie McIntyre et Laurence Arseneau. Une équipe solide qui a participé à des compétitions régionales et nationales avec d’excellents résultats.

Le président Marc Gaudet a déclaré : ” Nous sommes très fiers de nos athlètes cyclistes, ils ont suivi un processus de qualification très rigoureux et ils représenteront très bien la province du Nouveau-Brunswick. “

Nous avons hâte de voir nos athlètes du Nouveau-Brunswick à Niagara, et nous leur souhaitons le meilleur.

Anthony Arseneau – Dieppe (MTB)
Antoine Lacombe – Saint-Jacques (MTB)
Colby Sirois – Grand Falls (Road)
Émilie McIntyre – Memramcook (MTB/Road)
Florence Levesque – Dieppe (Road)
Laurence Arseneau – Beresford (MTB/Road)
Maxime Ouellette – Drummond (Road)
Noah Lydon – Fredericton (MTB/Road)
Pascal LeBlanc – Notre-Dame (Road)
Vanessa Thomsen – Lutes Mountain (MTB)