Latest news with #SaskatoonCycles
CTV News
15-06-2025
- CTV News
‘She was loved by everybody': Saskatoon cyclist community hosts second annual rally to remember Natasha Fox
The Ride for Your Life event returned to Saskatoon over the weekend as a way for the community to both remember the life of Natasha Fox and advocate for better cycling infrastructure. 'Natasha was something else. She brought joy to everything she did. She made people happy. She was loved by everybody. And it was incredible to be around,' Tod Fox, husband of Natasha Fox, said. Two years ago, Natasha Fox was struck and killed by a cement truck while riding her bike. New infrastructure has since been built at the intersection of College Drive and Wiggins Road, where Fox lost her life, but those in attendance believe more can be done. 'It brings people together and tells politicians and policymakers that this is important. We're here to tell you that lives are at stake,' Tod Fox said. Tod Fox has been passionately advocating for better cycling infrastructure in Saskatoon since his wife's death, and the city's cycling community has supported him. Saskatoon cyclist community hosts second annual rally to remember Natasha Fox (Hallee Mandryk /CTV News) As many cyclists tend to be on the road this time of year, Gord Holtslander, the board chair of Saskatoon Cycles, shared some advice for being safe this summer. 'Keep your head up and be aware. So for cyclists, obviously ride in a way that is drivers be aware that there are nice people on bikes and they're going to be sort of everywhere, give them space,' Holtslander said. Tod Fox said the event's turnout is a true testament to the impact his wife had on the community. 'It just shows how much of an effect she had on the community by how many people still care and show up, saying this is important, and that she was taken from us too early,' Fox said. Sunday marked the second annual Ride for Our Lives event, which is currently the only bike rally in Saskatoon. While the event stemmed from a tragedy, organizers wanted to highlight the joys of cycling and its potential within the city. 'Cycling is wonderful. Cycling is fun. Cycling brings joy. Cycling is just a great thing to do. As long as everyone behaves safely, cycling is marvelous,' Holtslander said. Tod Fox said the event serves as an important reminder to both cyclists and drivers. 'Just glance up, look over your shoulder. Be kind to one another. We all want to get home safe. We all have people who love us. Make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else,' Fox said.
CBC
12-05-2025
- CBC
Sask. cyclists say stolen bikes are a problem. So what is the solution?
Social Sharing With warmer weather hitting Saskatchewan, cyclists are hitting the trails and pavements. There's only one problem: stolen bikes. Many cyclists may know that sense of relief when they approach a bike rack and see that their faithful steed is still there. But they also may know the frustration of discovering their bike has been stolen from their home, or even worse, their kid's bike is gone. Then there's that feeling of anger when they find that parts of their bike have been taken. The Regina Police Service told CBC that 602 bikes were reported stolen in 2024, which is actually down from previous years. Police were able to return 163 bikes back to their owners last year. But cyclists are still worried. Ellen McLaughlin, from the group Bike Regina, said she is usually pretty confident leaving her bike locked in public spaces, because she chooses spots that typically have a lot of people around it. But McLaughlin's bike has been stolen once. "It was locked onto the back of my vehicle on, like, a bike rack in a residential area, with not a lot of guys on the street." Within 10 minutes, McLaughlin's bike was gone. She said a lack of protected infrastructure for bikes is the most common cause for people not wanting to cycle, but fear of theft is often the second most common cause. Gordon Holtslander, from the group Saskatoon Cycles, has had a bike stolen from his home garage. And it was a special one. "They kicked in the door and took one of my bikes. It was my wife's bike that I built for her. And so she was heartbroken that her candy apple bike was gone," he said. Holtslander also said infrastructure is a big problem and more bike racks are needed. He said bike theft is a business and many thieves take the stolen bikes to other cities to sell undetected. Lawrence Vandelinden, co-owner of Dutch Cycle in Regina, has had his bike stolen, but he also had a $6,000 bike walked out of his store on a chaotic, busy Saturday. "Somebody diverted one of the salesmen and somebody [else] just hopped on a bike and rode it out." Vandelinden also said that in the past, Dutch Cycle had people take bikes out on test drives and never come back. "Now we're a lot more diligent with that though. And don't just say, 'oh yeah, try out a bike and let me know what you think in 10 minutes.' There's ID and cards. Now we take that before we let people test-ride bikes." How to avoid bike theft RPS said it encourages people to use its bike registry, or have a record of the serial number. This is one of the main ways that police will be able to return a bike if they find it, either as lost or stolen property. Unfortunately, police said, many bikes go unclaimed due to missing serial numbers or other distinguishing information. RPS said people can check if the service's lost and found has their bike, but will need a serial number or other identifying information to verify ownership. The bikes are not available to be looked at without documentation. Auctions are done by McDougall Auctioneers monthly, RPS said. If bikes do not have a serial number, they are kept for 30 days before going to auction. If they do have a serial number, they are kept for 90 days.
