Where do you feel safest riding your bicycle in Cochrane?

That's the underlining theme of the 5th annual survey of Bike Cochrane that's now underway. 

Bike Cochrane operations manager Paul Perrault says the survey is live and has been launched through all 12 local schools in an attempt to not only reach youth, but their parents.

"This year's survey is really trying to help highlight where do people feel the safest and we can then use that to help guide the town around where to invest and how to improve the infrastructure that we have for everybody, not just people in cars, but people by foot and on bikes as well."

Volunteers of the nonprofit organization began visiting schools today, starting with Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School, before the morning bell rings. They are wearing bright orange safety vests and ready to answer any questions that arise with students and parents. 

It's a five-week survey, and their last school visit is on June 20 at Cochrane Christian.

"We focus on our most vulnerable members," says Perrault.  "Any infrastructure that we're promoting and advocating for that helps them will help anybody, whether they're on a scooter, on a mobility scooter, walking, running, biking, scootering around. It helps everybody, right? So that's part of why we choose that lens to look at active transportation around kids biking to school."

Perrault says they continue to gather an awful lot of data to help inform and advocate for improvements to the town's active transportation infrastructure.

He says last year's survey revealed major concern for cyclists navigating Glenbow Drive.

"Last year's traffic survey showed that over 30 per cent of cars on Glenbow Dr. were actually driving through the bike lane. I think that's helped highlight the need for improvements in safety for our bike infrastructure, and so this year's surveys really targeting around, you know, what does that look like if it's all separated?"

Here's their school visitation schedule. 

Tues. May 28, 8:25-8:55 a.m., Elizabeth Barrett

Wed. May 29, 8:25-8:55 a.m., Cochrane High

Thurs. May 30, 8:25-8:55 a.m., Manachaban Middle School

Tues. June 4, 7:35- 8:05 a.m., Mitford

Wed. June 5, 8-8:30 a.m., Ecole Notre Dame des Vallees

Thurs. June 6, 7:32-8:02 a.m., Glenbow

Tues. June 11, 7:35-8:05 a.m., Fireside

Wed. June 12, 7:55-8:25 a.m. Holy Spirit

Thurs. June 13, 8:25-8:55 a.m. Bow Valley High

Tues, June 18, 7:30-8 a.m., RancheView

Wed. June 19, 8:15-8:45 a.m. St Timothy High

Thurs, June 20, 7:22-7:52 a.m. Cochrane Christian School

Visit here for more information on the many activities and projects of Bike Cochrane.