A local MLA who is gearing up to cycle from Winnipeg to Halifax as a part of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is hoping to raise awareness about cycling safety.
Chris Collins says he has experienced several close calls since he began training for his upcoming ride, “Oncoming cars have passed each other and I have almost hit the side view mirror of a car coming in my direction. Another incident was a garbage truck cut me off, laid on their horn and then stayed within a metre of my bicycle. The people, who are out there in their vehicles, need to respect the fact that a bicycle is a vehicle, and they have as much right to the road as a car does.”
Collins also stresses the importance of wearing a helmet while riding, “I see people driving around town without a bicycle helmet. I just cringe because it is such a significant injury for your head to hit the pavement.”
He also warns you should never wear ear buds or headphones vehicle riding your bicycle, because you can’t hear the oncoming traffic.
Collins will leave Moncton on September 12th, and he will be greeting the group of cyclists in Winnipeg on the 13th. He will be leaving the next day to cycle to Ontario. He will arrive back in Moncton on September 22nd, when he will cycle from Moncton to Charlottetown.
Thanks to Jim Goguen and the folks at Consolvo bike for the terrific support of my ride to fight Kids cancer! #snkcr pic.twitter.com/Zf4O0HLGdM
— Chris Collins (@ChrisCollinsMLA) August 7, 2016
For more details or to make a donation to the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, click HERE