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Guests: David Shellnut; Bill Nesper
Every time I think our issues with cars vs cyclists are getting so much worse, which of course they are, I come across something that is even more dreadful!
Seems that Canada – a place where I would have thought cyclists would be not only safer but encouraged – is definitely not that!
In my conversation with David Shellnutt, The Biking Lawyer, I learn that there is not only open hostility to cyclists, but the police seem to be complicit in making cyclists “pay” for infractions while drivers’ who have been issued tickets find themselves with no consequences whatsoever.
Besides his busy law practice helping cyclists in a multitude of ways, David
shows up to speak at club meetings, litigates anti-racism in the courts, sides with survivors of sexual violence and assault, and helps to feed the needy.
Our conversation runs the gamut from what The Biking Lawyer does to the legislation that is coming up in early 2026.
You can find and follow him @ The Biking Lawyer on social media as well as read his blog on thebikinglawyer,ca.
And, he did indeed meet up with our Oshawa Bike Club Friends that Saturday.
In the second half of the show, we feature the first of our holiday giving
segments with Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists.
The LAB does some great things – from offering a multitude of helpful options to get involved on a local or national level to helping make our communities more bicycle friendly, which in turn makes them safer. The LAB also hosts the National Bike Summit where, as a delegate of your community, you have the opportunity to make your case for legislation directly with the officials who can make those votes happen.
With the end of the year upon us, I like to highlight non-profits that benefit the cycling community or organizations with bicycle charity as a focus – be it local, national, or worldwide.
Today is the first of those segments. I’m highlighting the 145-year-old organization that originally lobbied for paved roads – only in those days, it wasn’t for cars but rather for bicycles.
Now in 2025, the League of American Bicyclists is still doing the hard work of keeping bicycles and bicyclists in the forefront of the transportation department and in 2026 the 5-year transportation bill will again be up for re-authorization.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of spending a few days in Washington with the LAB’s National Bike Summit. From the many breakout sessions to the Day on the Hill, the Summit is a well-oiled machine and something that makes you feel as if your participation really does matter.
Go to BikeLeague.org to take action, sign up for the e-newsletter, check out the map of bicycle friendly communities, universities, and businesses, and so much more. And if you are not a member, perhaps you’d like to join. Or, maybe make a donation to help keep the League’s work going. It’s a worthy cause.
One other item before I sign off today.
The National Bicycle Dealer’s Association is looking for 2,000 cyclists to take a consumer survey. It’s anonymous, fairly comprehensive, and is meant to help bike shops learn what you want and need from them . Here is the link to the survey.
