Take care while cycling in summer heat

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

With summer still in full tilt, it’s important for cyclists to keep their health in mind while on the road.

While it’s paramount drivers and cyclists are aware of one another, Chair of the Durham Region Cycling Coalition Joe Arruda wants cyclists to keep hydration in mind while biking.

“You’ve got to stay hydrated, that’s for sure, whether you carry a backpack with a water bottle in it, or a water bottle tied to your bike,” he says.

Even for Arruda during a recent bike ride, he kept making sure to check in with his partner, making sure to check if a five minute water break was needed.

“We’ve still got another good hot month ahead… so I would definitely recommend that you take a break [if you need one]. Don’t try to push yourself through it because it might hurt you in the long run,” he says.

He also points out that on Oshawa’s trails there are plenty of shady rest spots in which to take a water break.

Arruda notes there are more people out there biking right now, and cyclists need to stay alert to traffic and cars around them.

“There seems to be a lot of cars that do rolling stops and right hooks while turning without really looking to see if someone is coming,” he says.

As a cyclist, Arruda says he wants everyone to stay alert and pay attention, whether they’re driving or on their bike.

“I think drivers need to be alerted that there’s more people out there right now riding bikes,” he says.

Arruda recently took a trip up to Lake Simcoe with his partner, and he says he saw a 30 km/h speed limit sign, which he believes isn’t something one would see in Oshawa anytime soon.

He also points out that while the beginning of the pandemic saw fewer drivers, right now people are more aggressive on the road as everything begins to open back up.

“I think it’s almost back to normal now for aggressive drivers, and there’s more traffic. That’s why I’m saying you’ve got to stay alert, because there is more traffic out there and I think the drivers are still in that mindset of ‘Oh, there’s less traffic out here, I can still go faster,’” says Arruda.

It’s also construction season, he notes, which means cyclists will often hit construction sites while on their routes.

For the summer, Arruda also recommends cyclists take their time by pedaling slowly, to plan the route carefully, and to use slower side streets.

“Everyone has to do their part. Whether you’re cycling or you’re driving, you have to stay safe,” he says.