The Bike - Car Relationship

CAA has always advocated on issues of concern to its members, and today that includes how bikes and vehicles can better co-exist on Canada’s roads. Millions of our members are both drivers and cyclists, and they see the debate from both sides. Our goal is to provide neutral information, tips and best practices so members can drive and cycle safely.

CAA is putting its commitment to the bike-car relationship into action through the services we offer. For example, several CAA clubs offer Emergency Roadside Assistance to bicyclists year round as part of the CAA membership.

As part of our commitment to further the bike-car discussion, CAA hosted a national conference on the topic. Changing Lanes: Improving the Bike-Car Relationship on Canada's Roads was hosted on May 25th, 2011, in Vancouver, B.C. The conference brought together leading international and domestic experts to discuss the latest thinking on bike/car safety, infrastructure, and the business opportunities and costs of increasing the presence of bicycles in our cities.

Keynote: Gil Penalosa, Executive Director, 8-80 cities

Panel #1: Building a Better Connection - How can we build infrastructure that supports a smoother relationship for drivers and cyclists?

Panel #2: A Safer Way Forward - A discussion about strategies and actions that both drivers and cyclists can adopt to help make the road ahead a bit safer for us all.

  • Hans Moor, President, Citizens for Safe Cycling, Ottawa
  • Ted Laturnus, Automotive Journalist and avid cyclist and motorcyclist, Vancouver
  • Trace Acres, Director of Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, BCAA
  • Eleanor McMahon, C.E.O., Share the Road Cycling Coalition, Ontario
  • Sgt. Tim Kravjanski, West Vancouver Police Department

Panel #3: The Business Cycle -- Opportunities and Costs - Engaging proponents and opponents in the ongoing debate about the real costs and opportunities for business of more biking in Canadian cities.