As gas prices continue to rise in Cochrane and across the country, many people could be looking to swap out their vehicle commute for one a little easier on the wallet. 

Luckily, getting around Cochrane on a bicycle is an easy option with the sprawling pathway system and the growing number of bike lanes. 

“If you work in or in the proximity of town, then I would always recommend using your bike,” says Robert Martens, President of Bike Cochrane. 

He says that the first step is finding the right equipment.

“You have to be, of course, prepared for hills. You need a good bike and there are now three bike stores in town. One bike store, in particular, is focusing on the second-hand market. If you want to ride seasonally and you don't want to spend a lot of money on a brand new bike, there are definitely secondhand bikes out there in addition to what people offer on platforms like Kijiji.”

“You have to dress for it appropriately because Cochrane can be very windy, so a wind jacket and even when it's plus five or six people still use gloves.”

When it comes to committing to a bike commute, riding together can go a long way. 

“If you work at the same spot, invite some colleagues and people that are thinking about starting” 

“Bike Cochrane always accepts new members. During COVID our numbers doubled. Most clubs or organizations needed terrain, or a skating rink, or were banned from doing activities and they lost a lot of members. On a bike, you can escape the world for a little bit and we saw quite an increase in membership.”

Martens does recognize that not every community in Cochrane is as easy to traverse with a bike. Commuting from areas like Sunset Ridge or Fireside can take a little more planning to ensure a safe trip.

While riding in from those areas can present challenges, it's nothing compared to a select few who make the trek from the city.

“I know people that do that come from Calgary, but not many. Typically from the northwest.”

“Now in the future, there will be a trail that's between Calgary and Cochrane. There will be a bridge that goes across the river close to Spray Lake Sports Centre. Then you have not only a safe ride but also a very pleasant ride in the morning with only wildlife and the designated bike trail that's all paved. It's closer than you may think.”