Posted By Simply Ducky on September 8, 2010

Guysborough, Nova Scotia - Do you have a bicycle? Do you use it to get to work or school?  Why or why not? These are the questions the Guysborough County Regional Development Authority (GCRDA) recently asked in a survey about biking in the county. The GCRDA has partnered with the Municipalities of the Districts of Guysborough and  St. Mary’s, the Towns of Mulgrave and Canso, Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection, Historic Sherbrooke Village, and the Ecology Action Center to get a better understanding of the use of active transportation with a particular emphasis on biking. There is a slowly expanding group of residents who bike between May and October. The GCRDA wanted to get a better understanding as to why people choose or not choose to bike and what residents think are the benefits and barriers to growing this mode of transportation.

The survey found that 46% of people asked in the on-line survey circulated in August 2010 own bicycles but only 29% use them. The majority of residents (86%) say they are not comfortable with the road safety surface conditions and too much traffic/driver behavior as barriers to cycling in the county. 71% said distance is the main reason they don’t bike  to work or school.

In an effort to change this pattern, the GCRDA and their partners are working to encourage biking as an alternative to motorized transportation. The GCRDA Bikeways  Committee was formed in 2009 to look at the various benefits of cycling for health, recreation, economic and/or to reduce the impact on the environment. To encourage usage, safety and enjoyment, the GCRDA will be installing bike racks at various locations throughout the county and “Share the Road” signs to bring awareness to motorists to use  caution when cyclist are sharing the road. This project should be complete by the end of  2010.

For further information on the Guysborough County Bikeways Project, contact the GCRDA at (902) 533-3731.