Saskatoon Cycles March 2025 Newsletter
The Saskatoon Collision Cost Calculator
Did you know that vehicle collisions cost Saskatoon about $1.3million every single day?
We’re all familiar with the phrase “accidents happen”, and we’ll often offer it with a resigned shrug, but collisions are very serious and exact a significant psychological and economic toll on communities. They’re also mostly avoidable, as we can see from municipalities that invest in best practice city design and regulations that strive for ZERO collision rates.
Thanks to Nick Pollett with Strong Towns YXE, we now have a way to see exactly how much collisions at different intersections cost Saskatoon, on a per day or per year basis. If you’ve ever wondered how much those crashes at the neighborhood corner add up to, check out the new Saskatoon Collision Cost Calculator.
Nick explains how the calculator works in this video:
We note that the economic costs of collisions are secondary to the effects on human health and safety, which are outside of the concept of “price”. What the calculator shows is that communities that prioritize safety and better design also end up saving millions of dollars IN ADDITION to reducing the suffering and loss associated with vehicle collisions.
Welcome to O’Shea’s
Saskatoon Cycles is excited to welcome its latest “Friend of Cycling“: O’Shea’s Irish Pub!
O’Shea’s is a downtown Saskatoon landmark, featuring an extensive drink menu (with 23 different choices of Scotch) and an equally impressive selection of hearty pub food, from salads, to burgers, to fish ‘n chips. Their Instagram page also sports a diverse supply of mascots, and it’s hard not to get behind a business that shows off their furry friends.
We’re grateful to have the support of another Friend of Cycling. If you’re pedaling around the downtown and feel thirsty or peckish, be sure to stop in at O’Shea’s and thank them for helping to make Saskatoon a better place to bike!
New Board of Directors Spotlight: Cynthia Hernandez
As a non-profit, Saskatoon Cycles relies heavily on the efforts of its volunteer board. Our Board of Directors bring a range of perspectives and skill sets to the organization, contributing what they can without pay or very much glory. At our AGM on November 27, 2024 three people joined our Board. In this edition, we introduce you to Cynthia Hernandez.
Q: Why do you ride a bike?
I ride for my mental health, as spending time outdoors has been a lifesaver for me and my family. I ride to stay active, biking is a very affordable way to get a workout done. I ride for representation, as a BIPOC I know it can be intimidating to try sports like MTB and fat biking when you didn’t grow up with it. I ride because I worry about climate change and dream of having a city that can make the shift into a city where we can safely ride everywhere. I ride my bike because of the beautiful ride aftertaste; I have yet to be on a ride where my mood didn’t improve after it. Lastly, I ride in hopes of inspiring others to jump on a bike and experience the joy of it.
Q: Why did you decide to run for the board?
I am a strong believe that to see change and impact in our community, one has to get involved and volunteer. I have seen the work of Saskatoon Cycles in our city and I feel that my experience in the non-profit industry together with my finance background could help Saskatoon Cycles mission and vision.
Q: How would you describe cycling in Saskatoon to someone new to the city?
Saskatoon is a decently bikable city. While cycling on the road might not be the most friendly ride, the city has some decent trails along the river and in the core part of the city and the cycling community keeps growing year after year.
Q: If you could make one change to the cycling experience in Saskatoon overnight, what would it be?
Protected bike lanes connecting all the city.
Q: Do you have any favourite cycling rides or routes in or around Saskatoon?
The Meewasin trail will forever be my favourite to bike any season. I love riding the bridge to bridge loop from Chief Mistawasis Bridge to the Gordie Howie Bridge.
Q: When you’re not cycling, what are your favourite activities?
When I am not biking, I like to do some Cross Country Skiing during Winter, and Paddleboarding on the river during Summer.
And I leave you with my favourite cycling quote:
“I have never met anyone on a bicycle who wasn’t enjoying themselves. Doesn’t matter what they were going through that day, how tired, cold, hungry, late, or upset they were. At some point in their ride, they thought to themselves – ‘At least I am having fun on my bike.’ We all been there before and we all have seen how it helps to deal with life’s insignificant problems. I hope that one day doctors will start prescribing bike rides to their patients. It’s good medicine” – Mike Kinrade
1st Annual Saskatoon’s Big Fun Bike Ride – June 8th, 2025
The folks at Life Outside Gear Exchange (another Friend of Cycling) are inviting Saskatoon to a new event this year, the Big Fun Bike Ride on Sunday, June 8th, 2025!
From the registration page:
Join us for the first annual Saskatoon’s Big FUN Bike Ride – a community ride celebrating the joy of cycling, being outside, and community! Whether you’re looking for a leisurely loop or a longer ride, this event is for you.
The event will offer different distances for riders to choose from, a BBQ picnic, a swag bag, and other prizes. Saskatoon Cycles will be on site to provide our legendary Bike Valet AND the Tune-up Tent for minor adjustments and fixes.
The earlier you sign up, the lower your registration costs are, so hop on board today and get your spot in this fun new Saskatoon event!
REGISTER FOR THE 1ST ANNUAL SASKATOON’S BIG FUN BIKE RIDE HERE
Donations
Your donations give us the resources to press toward a Saskatoon where cycling is a viable, year-round mode of transportation that is safe, convenient, and comfortable for all ages.
We want families to be able to simply hop on their bikes to go grab an ice cream and enjoy the beauty of Saskatoon. For you or your partner to pick up groceries or a library book. And we really want you to be able to commute to work and back safely and conveniently.
Your donation helps us work on these three ‘pillars’ of cycling development for Saskatoon:
- Infrastructure – A safe, convenient, comfortable, and well-maintained cycling network throughout the city that allows cyclists to go from every neighbourhood to key destinations.
- Ridership – Educate, encourage, and promote cycling so more people choose bicycles as a convenient and safe transportation option year round.
- Culture – Educate, encourage, and promote diversity in ridership with respectful inclusion of all modes of transportation.