You Can Ride 2: Storage needs, mechanic job

You Can Ride 2's adapted bike loan program for children with special needs is seeking your help! Through the generous support of individuals donating bikes and funders who have allowed us to purchase new adapted bikes, You Can Ride 2 (YCR2) now has over 70 adapted bikes in its fleet, which we loan out to families in the summer, free of charge, and to schools in the winter.

During the transition periods in the fall and spring, we require space to store these bikes while our mechanics service them. We do our best to ensure all the bikes find homes during the summer & winter, but we have some storage needs even through these seasons.

Our current storage solution is reaching capacity. If you know of an affordable space where adapted bikes may be stored and relatively easily accessed, please get in touch with us. Adapted bikes can range from having only minor modifications to large trikes with backrests, so a relatively open warehouse-style space with easy loading access would be ideal, but even if you're not sure whether or not a space might work for us, please let us know about it.

Bike Mechanic Job Posting

Additionally, we are once again hiring a program bike mechanic for You Can Ride 2. Hours are flexible, and you do not require prior knowledge of adapted bikes. Download the job posting and send any questions or your application to [email protected]. The posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found, but the work can begin almost immediately.

The future of bike routes in Edmonton

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Several motions and inquiries regarding cycling have been brought forth at City Hall in the past several weeks. EBC spoke to the two reports that were presented regarding cycling. You can read the motions and a link to the minutes from those meetings below. One of the biggest decisions that Council will make is still to come over the next few weeks, as Council sets priorities and chooses to fund (or not fund) projects in the 4-year Capital Budget 2015-18. You can support funding of cycling infrastructure by calling or writing to your councillor, or speaking to Council on November 24 during the City Council Budget Non-Statutory Public Hearing.

As the Edmonton Bike Coalition has highlighted, the only bike route project that's currently funded is the 83 Ave route. 102 Ave, other downtown routes, and indeed all other planned high-priority routes are currently unfunded. If Council doesn't move to explicitly allocate funding, either as a standalone project or as part of other funded projects, then aside from 83 Ave, no major bike infrastructure is likely to be constructed until the next capital budget cycle in 2019-2022.

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97 St from 63 Ave to 34 Avenue

Recently, a councillor inquiry has prompted new re-examination of the bike route along 97 St, south of 63 Ave. The full text of the inquiry is below, but in order to better understand the conditions and needs of users, we're conducting a short survey until November 27, 2014.


Councillor thoughts


Transportation Committee Meeting

October 15, 2014 http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1295&doctype=MINUTES

6.1. Bike Routes - Assessment of Community Needs, Safety, and Underused Bike Lanes

Moved M. Walters:

Performance Standards and Clear Measures - Bike Lanes

That Administration provide a report outlining the development of performance standards including clear measures and targets for existing and future bike lane ridership.

Due Date Second Quarter 2015 In Favour: D. Iveson, A. Sohi, M. Walters, B. Anderson, B. Esslinger Carried

Moved M. Walters:

Community Engagement Studies on Performance and Safety - Bike Lanes

That Administration provide a outlining: · The results of community engagement studies to be conducted to seek input from affected community stakeholders, including the schools, surrounding the 106 Street and 40 Avenue and 119 Street and 40 Avenue intersections. · Plans to improve the performance and safety of these intersections.

Due Date: Second Quarter 2015 In Favour: D. Iveson, A. Sohi, M. Walters, B. Anderson, B. Esslinger Carried

Moved B. Anderson:

Alternative Bike Lane for 95 Avenue

That Administration provide a report outlining the cost and feasibility of relocating the bike lane on 95th Avenue to the service road.

Due Date: Second Quarter 2015 In Favour: D. Iveson, A. Sohi, M. Walters, B. Anderson, B. Esslinger Carried


City Council Meeting

October 22, 2014 http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1298&doctype=MINUTES

COUNCILLOR INQUIRIES - 3.3. Bike Lane Removal (M. Nickel)

Maintaining balance between travel modes as well as achieving the support of communities and stakeholders are important parts of creating a healthy, multi-modal city. In some cases when changes to travel modes are made, the unintended consequences for commuters and communities are felt more by some stakeholders than others.

Can Administration provide information on the current status of 97th Street Bike Lanes south of 63rd Avenue (to 34th Avenue), specifically including information on:

1. The impact of the bike lane installations on the neighbouring industrial/commercial communities as determined through community consultation.

2. The value of the 97th Street north south route to the bicycle community as a connector between destinations as determined by community and stakeholder consultation.

3. Alternate routes that could be considered that would provide similar bicycle network connectivity.

4. The cost of relocating 97th street Bike Lane to a location with similar connectivity.

Due Date: Feb. 4, 2015


Transportation Committee Meeting

October 29, 2014 http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1301&doctype=MINUTES

6.2. 106th Street Bike Route Winter Spring Maintenance Pilot Project

Moved B. Esslinger:

That the October 15, 2014, Transportation Services report CR_1422, be received for information.

In Favour: D. Iveson, A. Sohi, M. Walters, B. Anderson, B. Esslinger Carried

Strathcona & Downtown Bike Routes

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The City of Edmonton has released a project update on the Strathcona & Downtown Bike Routes. The update includes information about the top-rated routes, the pop-up bike lane in September, and upcoming Capital Budget, as well as public workshops in November.

Of particular note is the fact that the 83 Avenue Bike Route is listed as a "Recommended Growth Project", but the 102 Avenue Bike Route is listed in "Unfunded Growth Projects". This means that unless Council as a whole approves funding for the project, it won't be built.

Over the next four weeks, Council will deliberate all the projects in the proposed 2015 - 2018 Capital Budget, with the potential for some Councillors to champion certain projects and for projects to change status based on Council's will and approval.

The Edmonton Bike Coalition, an initiative by members of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society, Strathcona Complete Streets, the QA Crossroads Committee and West Downtown Complete Streets, is organizing to get the downtown and other core routes funded, with an event at City Hall on November 20 at 5:30pm. Find out more and join the coalition!

http://www.edmonton.ca/cycling

102 AVENUE BIKE ROUTE Public Workshop

Date Monday, November 24, 2014
Location Robertson Wesley United Church
Address 10209 - 123 Street
Time 4:30 – 8:30pm
Presentations at 5:00pm and 7:00pm.

83 AVENUE BIKE ROUTE Public Workshop

Date Thursday, November 27, 2014
Location Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre
Address 8426 Gateway Blvd
Time 4:30 – 8:30pm
Presentations at 5:00pm and 7:00pm.

Bikes in the news - November 2014





City of Edmonton projects & public engagement - November 2014 update

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Groat Road shared-use path closure

Groat Road shared-use path from 107 Avenue to Victoria Park Road has been closed until approximately mid-January 2015 for bridge girder work. More information about the closure and detours related to the 102 Ave Bridge replacement can be found on the City's website.

River Valley Road/Groat Road Interchange

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/road_projects/river-valley-rd-groat-rd-interchange.aspx

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UPDATE: You can now view November 19 meeting materials (presentation, display boards and fact sheet) as well as complete an online survey until December 3 about the proposed changes to the River Valley Road/Groat Road interchange. One option closes several roads, and the other adds roundabouts. View the display boards and complete the survey regarding your preferred design options.

The City of Edmonton invites the public to view and provide feedback on concept plan options for the River Valley Road/Groat Road Interchange. Some of the proposed changes could affect traffic operations in the area.

Date Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Location Oliver School
Address 10227 – 118 Street
Time 4:30-8pm
Presentations at 5:30pm and 7:00pm.

The City of Edmonton is developing a long-range concept plan for the River Valley Road / Groat Road interchange. The area serves as a commuter and recreational route for all forms of traffic, including cyclists and pedestrian, with access to the downtown area, the University of Alberta and the River Valley park system.

EBC has identified a number of potential improvements and issues, including:

  • Avoid increasing traffic speeds/volumes
  • Improve intersection turning angles to increase pedestrian/cyclist visibility
  • Avoid high-speed exit lanes
  • Reduce hill grade, especially for winter access
  • Set sidewalks back from roadway
  • Widen shared-use pathways to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists better
  • Maintain park and event access for drivers (Government House Park/Victoria Park lack transit access)

You can add your feedback at the open house on November 19, as well as by completing the online survey (to be released after November 19).

104 Avenue Corridor Plan

104AvenueCorriderRendering430pxhttp://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/104-avenue-corridor-plan.aspx

The City of Edmonton is preparing a Corridor Plan for 104 Avenue between 111 Street and 123 Street, along the future alignment of the west leg of the Valley LRT line.

The 104 Avenue Corridor Plan process will examine city policy, land use, built form, community facilities, transportation, heritage and urban design in order to develop a vision for the evolution of the corridor in the framework of transit oriented development (TOD).

Guiding principles have been developed, and several conceptual scenarios were presented to the public for feedback. Each design scenario offered different advantages and disadvantages for the community, including walkability and cycling access. A summary of the feedback received at the workshop and through the online survey is now available on the project website.

Westmount Neighbourhood Renewal Complete Streets Pilot

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/westmount-neighbourhood-renewal.aspx

On Thursday, November 13, 2014, City representatives gave detailed information regarding the design, construction, and local improvement process for the Westmount neighbourhood renewal project.

The Westmount neighbourhood has been chosen for reconstruction in spring 2015. Westmount has also been chosen as a Complete Streets Pilot Project. Complete Streets represents a change in roadway design philosophy. Streets will be designed to reflect the surrounding area's characteristics and the needs of all the users in the community, including bike routes along 127 St, 109A Ave, and several other streets.

127 Street Reconstruction

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/road_projects/127-street-reconstruction.aspx

In October, the City of Edmonton invited the public to view and provide feedback on two concept plans for improvements to 127 Street between 118 Avenue and Yellowhead Trail. The information gathered during the concept planning process will be carried forward to future stages of road design and engineering where final decisions will be made prior to road reconstruction in 2016.

127 St connects to the bike route through Westmount, and is an important crossing of the Yellowhead Trail for all users, including cyclists.

Council Initiative on Public Engagement

http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents/public_involvement/council-initiative-on-public-engagement.aspx

Edmonton City Council has launched a special initiative to review and improve public engagement in Edmonton. Housed under the Open City Initiative, the Council Initiative on Public Engagement aims to help improve the City’s transparency, openness, and accountability, while fostering greater collaboration in community and citizen participation in local government.

The three-year initiative (2014-17) will involve reviewing best practices from around the world, consulting with Edmontonians and stakeholders about the opportunities for improving engagement processes, and building capacity in the community to bring about changes for an even better Edmonton.

The first part (Phase 1) invites a cross section of Edmontonians to start the conversation on public engagement through workshops, meetings, surveys and a Discussion Guide.

Edmonton Insight Community

http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents/public_involvement/edmonton-insight-community.aspx

The Insight Community is a growing group of diverse Edmontonians who provide feedback on City policies, initiatives and community issues. Community members are invited to complete surveys on a wide range of topics at least once a month. Some surveys have questions on one project, while other surveys have questions on multiple topics. Members of the community complete surveys at their convenience and on the topics they care about.

The Insight Community is different from stand-alone surveys. It allows for ongoing communication between yourself and the City, including allowing you to provide more in-depth, engaged feedback as well as to receive information about areas that you've expressed interest in.

Join today to help the City better understand the desires of its citizens.

Edmonton Bike Coalition

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It took Edmontonians less than a month to give us more than 1100 pictures to show their support for great bike routes in central Edmonton. Join the Edmonton Bike Coalition on Thursday, November 20, at 5:30pm at City Hall as we unveil the photomosaic that they make up, in a visual demonstration of the diversity and strength of support for Edmonton's transformation to a bicycle-friendly city.

You can still join the coalition at https://web.archive.org/web/20170911182251/http://yegbikecoalition.info/, and you can also still submit your own photo. Print off one of the following signs to hold for your photo:

I bike

I would bike

My family bikes

My mother bikes

conrad

My father bikes

My son bikes

My daughter bikes

yegbikecoalition.info

It's Time To Build: Show your support for building a network of high-quality bike routes in Edmonton!

On November 20, join us and a several speakers, including City Councillors Scott McKeen and Andrew Knack, and Todd Babiak, for the unveiling of our photomosaic showing over 1100 Edmontonians who have already joined the coalition.

We support the City's current plans to build quality bike networks in Edmonton's core. We're asking City Council to support its vision and dedicate 0.65% of the next 4 years' Capital Budget. Greater investment in safer, healthier transportation options will increase Edmonton's vibrancy and livability.

The Edmonton Bike Coalition is a group made up of citizens who support safer infrastructure in our wonderful city. It includes anyone that chooses to join, and is an initiative started by members of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society, Strathcona Complete Streets, the QA Crossroads Committee and West Downtown Complete Streets.

The unveiling will take place at 5:30pm.

EBC Board of Directors 2014-2015

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Are you passionate about cycling issues in Edmonton? Are you interested in helping direct the agenda for EBC, as well as the city as a whole? Do you know anyone that fits that description?

We need you, and we need your skilled network of policy wonks, legal pundits, bookkeepers, DIYers, dreamers and changemakers.

For various reasons, much of EBC's current board will not be returning after their current terms end on December 1, 2014. Our bylaws require a minimum of 7 board members; we cannot operate below this number. We need you to join the Board of Directors. We need the stellar folk that you're connected to.

You can nominate yourself or someone you know to EBC's Board of Directors by completing our nomination form. Additional information on the board is available on our governance page. If selected, nominees will be appointed for a 1-year term.

If you have any questions about the nomination process or the responsibilities and expectations of a board member, please contact Caylie Gnyra, Director of Strategic Planning.

Please share this request with your network.

MEC/EBC Club Night

Join us for MEC/EBC Club night at Mountain Equipment Co-op (12328 102 Ave) on Thursday, November 27, 2014 from 7-9pm. EBC members receive a 10% discount on all regular-price items, including bikes, boats, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and chocolate bars. Have you renewed EBC your membership yet?

Door prizes will be awarded throughout the night.

Please note that you must be a member of MEC ($5 lifetime membership) and EBC ($15-$20 annual membership) to take advantage of this discount. Both memberships will be available for purchase the night of this event.

You can check the status of your membership, or purchase or renew your EBC membership online at http://edmontonbikes.ca/membership

This discount is in-store only; no online or ship-from-store discounts. It does not apply to marked-down items (e.g. Clearance).

If you do not have your membership card but are a current member of EBC, we can issue you a new card on the evening of the event.

Winter Cycling Workshops

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Are you ready to keep cycling through the winter? It's really not that difficult, and it can be pretty fun.  EBC can help you with some of the finer points like: What should you do if you hit a patch of ice? How will you protect yourself from the elements? What modifications will you need to make to your bike? Sign up for our Winter Cycling Workshop on October 24th to learn this and more. You can also make your own studded tires to maximize your traction on winter roads at our DIY Tire Studding Workshop on November 7th or on November 14th. Register today as space is limited.

Bike mechanic volunteer and paid positions for You Can Ride 2

You Can Ride 2 is a partnership with EBC that offers two main programs: a learn-to-ride program for children with special needs, and an adapted bicycle loan pool. We are having a bike return day on October 25 where families will be returning the bikes that were on-loan through the summer, and require volunteers to help receive these bikes. Many will be loaned out to schools over the winter months.

When: Saturday, October 25, 2014 from 10:30am - 3:30pm Where: Robin Hood Children and Youth Community Centre, 3 Spruce Avenue, Sherwood Park Contact: [email protected]

We are looking for volunteers to help with:

  • Greeting, inventory and paperwork.
  • Loading/unloading bikes on Saturday afternoon and Monday morning
  • Servicing bikes (bike mechanic experience)

We are also hiring a contract bicycle mechanic position for this program. For full job and application details, please see this posting. The application deadline is October 18, 2014.

Edmonton Bike Coalition

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The Fall of 2014 is a critical time for the future of cycling in Edmonton. City council has endorsed a grid of high-quality bike routes in the downtown and university areas. However, this essential infrastructure is not yet funded. Join the Edmonton Bike Coalition now! Ask city council to make a small investment that will have a huge impact on the livability and health of our city.

https://web.archive.org/web/20170911182251/http://yegbikecoalition.info/

2nd Annual Alberta Bicycle Commuter Conference

Are you confused or frustrated with infrastructure in your community? How do we educate citizens about effective riding techniques? How do we ensure our loved ones are safe while using our roads? Many communities face the same challenges. The Bicycle Commuters Conference creates space to share expertise, experiences, and the evolving practices in cycling advocacy, infrastructure and education. This second annual conference will welcome industry leaders from Share the Road, an Ontario based organization created to unite cycling groups from across the province. Justin Jones has experience in laying groundwork for a provincial strategy to expand bike-ability around the province.

Help us change the conversation and inspire Albertans to ride!

Join us to collaborate in shaping the future of communities across Canada on Saturday, October 4, 9-4 p.m and Sunday, October 5, 9-1 p.m. at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, in Red Deer, AB. Attendance is limited. Registration is required – edmontonbikes.ca/ab-conf-reg

For more information, please contact: [email protected] or call Bernadette at 780.240.4346

2014 EBC Annual General Meeting - Sunday September 28th

Both BikeWorks locations will be closed on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 for our Annual General Meeting, happening from 1pm-3pm at Ritchie Community Hall (7727 98 St). Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be presenting our annual awards for contributions to EBC and the larger cycling community. If you know someone who deserves recognition for volunteering with EBC or enriching cycling culture in Edmonton, please nominate them today!

Our President and Treasurer will present their reports to the membership, we will present our Annual Report, and vote on bylaw amendments and next year’s budget. We will also be having elections to fill several positions on the Board of Directors. If you are interested in helping to set the direction of our growing organization, or know someone that can lead us towards a better city for cycling and walking, please visit our nominations page.

The EBC Board proposes the following changes to the 2013 EBC Bylaw, which can be found at http://www.edmontonbikes.ca/w/Bylaws_(2013):

Current wording of 2013 EBC Bylaw, Section 'Election of the Board of Directors' (b) - The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members in good standing, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member in good standing who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Proposed changes (highlighted) - The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members in good standing, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member in good standing who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Proposed final wording: The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Definition of "in good standing" - Regular Members who have been members for at least one calendar month and any honorary members shall be considered members in good standing. A regular member who has lapsed for no more than six months shall also be considered a member in good standing immediately upon payment of their dues.

Rationale: An edit to the bylaws was brought forward to the AGM in 2013 to propose opening the opportunity to nominate to the board those who may not be current members, either in that their current membership has elapsed or they have recently purchased a membership, and wish to be more involved. As it stands several members nominated to the board in the past have inadvertently violated this clause.

At the AGM in 2013 the previously proposed wording left some members concerned about the potential for a 'hostile takeover,' or having a majority group purchase memberships the day of the AGM and nominate their own candidates to the board. The wording proposed at the 2014 AGM would continue to give voting power to only members in good standing (as per Election of the Board of Directors (d): All members in good standing who are present at the AGM shall be eligible to vote.), thus minimizing the opportunity for a day-of takeover.

If you have any questions or concerns about this proposed change in advance of the AGM please contact Kristen Flath, Director of Policy, and [email protected].

A weekend of bike routes

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On Friday and Saturday, several pop-up bike infrastructure installations and events are happening in Edmonton. If you'd like to visit them both, Strathcona Complete Streets is organizing a free ride that will visit both on Saturday.

Join Strathcona Complete Streets on Saturday, September 20, as we visit two Edmonton bike events

When: 1pm, September 20 Where: McIntyre Park (83 Ave and 104 St), near the gazebo What: First, we will visit the "Bike Lane Multi-Sensory Experience" on 83rd Avenue. The city is "setting up a temporary bikeway with a cycle track, bike boulevard and contra-flow lane along 83 Avenue so that Edmontonians can see, try and learn about the new kinds of bike lanes that could be installed on proposed new bike routes in the City's core". Then, we will ride our bikes to the 102 ave Pop Up Bike Lane Rally. This is to support the creation of a bike route on 102 Avenue through downtown and Oliver. Let's get together on beautiful sunny Saturday and make Edmonton a better place to live and bike. All are welcome to this event.

A Bike Lane Multi-Sensory Experience

http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/cycling_walking/cycling.aspx The City of Edmonton is setting up a temporary bikeway with a cycle track, bike boulevard and contra-flow lane along 83 Avenue so that Edmontonians can see, try and learn about the new kinds of bike lanes that could be installed on proposed new bike routes in the City's core.

Dates & Time: September 19 from 3pm to 8pm, September 20 from 9am to 2pm Location: 83 Avenue From McIntyre Park to 106 Street

The 2014-2018 Bicycle Infrastructure Plan approved by the Transportation Committee of City Council on June 5, 2014 envisions the installation of high quality cycling infrastructure in areas of the city where cycling is already popular. The exact locations and designs for the routes will be determined through the public engagement process, however, we want Edmontonians to learn about and understand what the possibilities are for high quality bike lanes.

Join the fun. On Saturday only, McIntyre Park will be filled with family-friendly bike activities:

  • A Bike Try-It Library
  • A Bike Tune Up
  • Bike-Powered Smoothies
  • Bike-Themed Geocaching
  • And more

You can read more about this initiative at http://transformingedmonton.ca/what-the-bke-get-up-close-and-personal/

Pop-up bike lane rally on 102 Ave

http://www.makesomethingedmonton.ca/projects/570-102-ave-pop-up-bike-lane-rally/

The West Downtown Complete Streets Working Group is hosting a pop-up bike lane rally on 102 Ave on September 20th. Please tell everyone you know because we want as many people out as possible!

Event Details:

Why: Our goal with the pop-up bike lane rally is to show the City of Edmonton that we care about the 102 ave bike lane and would like to see it implemented. Where: The lane will span from 108 street & 102 ave to 118 street & 102 ave. When: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm on Saturday, September 20th

We will meet at 108 street and 102 ave at 3:00 pm on September 20th and bike together west to the Oliver Community Hall on 118 street. The lane will be dismantled at 4:30 pm

The pop-up bike lane will lead you to some great festivities being put on by the Oliver Community League for Community League day. (OCL has graciously offered to cover the costs of our event. Let’s show them some love!)

So what do we need from you?

  1. Tell all your friends. We want a large presence of cyclists out to demonstrate we are serious about this bike lane!
  2. Write your city councilor and tell them bike lanes are important to you. Our goal is to get the City of Edmonton to establish the route in the 2015 budget and to have the route implemented in 2015. You can find your councilor’s contact information here: http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/city-councillors.aspx
  3. Volunteer support. This project will need people to help with the set-up of the bike lanes, and we’d appreciate any help we can get. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch

We’re excited about Edmonton’s future as a bikeable city. Together, we can Make Edmonton the safe, beautiful and vibrant city we want to live in.

If you want to learn more about why we are hosting the pop up bike lane rally, read on below:

Edmonton is moving towards being a bike-friendly city. Their position on being a bikeable city can be found here: http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/cycling_walking/cycling.aspx

In Spring 2014, through a process of public consultation, the city sought feedback on the proposed 102 ave bike lane. As things progressed, it appeared that there was a road bump in the process and it was revealed in this Metro article (http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/1113580/proposed-102-avenue-bike-lanes-up-in-the-air-despite-city-of-edmonton-consultations/) that there is a possibility that the 102 ave bike lanes may not be viable due to constraints on road space.

Most recently, City Councillor Scott McKeen posted on his blog hat he was committed to seeing the bike route project move forward.

Earlier this year the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition trialled a pop-up bike lane. For as little as $600, they were able to create a temporary bike lane. You can read more about their project here: http://streetsblog.net/2014/02/03/the-600-protected-bike-lane/

This project served as inspiration for our pop up bike lane. We felt it would be a good way to show the city how we feel about the 102 ave bike lane. We believe the bike lane is essential to a safe and vibrant downtown core.

We’re pleased to partner with the Oliver Community League and Downtown Edmonton Community League to bring this idea to fruition. The Oliver Community League has graciously offered to cover the costs for the event.

Isaak Kornelsen Memorial Ride and Parklet

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On Friday, August 29, 2014, join us at 5:30pm in front of Edmonton City Hall (Sir Winston Churchill Square) for a memorial ride in honour of Isaak Kornelsen. The ride will proceed slowly and in legal order to the Memorial Parklet for Isaak Kornelsen at 10151 82 Ave. This ride is both a celebration and remembrance of Isaak’s life, as well as a demonstration in support of dedicated, safe cycling infrastructure. The parklet will be a one day public space memorial on Whyte Ave in honour of Isaak Kornelsen. The parklet will be a small urban park set up temporarily in two metered parking spaces.

Isaak's life was tragically cut short on August 27, 2012, at the age of 21 while cycling on Whyte Avenue. Isaak was a Strathcona High School valedictorian, University of Alberta Philosophy student, and runner for both the Golden Bears and Edmonton Thunder. But most importantly, he was a sincere and loving individual who brightened the lives of everyone he met.

The parklet is designed to symbolize various aspects of Isaak's life, and the ideals he upheld. By portraying these ideals we aim to inspire people to think more deeply about the world they live in, and to leave with a renewed yearning to discover and experience what the world has to offer.

Creating a one-day parklet installation on Whyte Avenue will not solve unsafe cycling conditions on Edmonton's busy streets; however, it can raise awareness for the need to better balance all modes of transportation in Edmonton.

The parklet has been funded by Edmonton's NextGen's Ideas for Edmonton contest, along with private donations from Edmontonians. Insurance for the event has been provided by Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society.

EBC 2014 Annual General Meeting and proposed Bylaw changes

Please attend our Annual General Meeting on September 28, 2014 from 1pm-3pm at Ritchie Community Hall (7727 98 St). Everyone is welcome to attend. Our President and Treasurer will present their reports to the membership, we will present our Annual Report, and vote on bylaw amendments and next year’s budget. We will also be having elections to fill several positions on the Board of Directors. If you are interested in helping to set the direction of our growing organization, or know someone that can lead us towards a better city for cycling and walking, please visit our nominations page. The EBC Board proposes the following changes to the 2013 EBC Bylaw, which can be found at http://www.edmontonbikes.ca/w/Bylaws_(2013):

Current wording of 2013 EBC Bylaw, Section 'Election of the Board of Directors' (b) - The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members in good standing, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member in good standing who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Proposed changes (highlighted) - The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members in good standing, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member in good standing who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Proposed final wording: The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Definition of "in good standing" - Regular Members who have been members for at least one calendar month and any honorary members shall be considered members in good standing. A regular member who has lapsed for no more than six months shall also be considered a member in good standing immediately upon payment of their dues.

Rationale: An edit to the bylaws was brought forward to the AGM in 2013 to propose opening the opportunity to nominate to the board those who may not be current members, either in that their current membership has elapsed or they have recently purchased a membership, and wish to be more involved. As it stands several members nominated to the board in the past have inadvertently violated this clause.

At the AGM in 2013 the previously proposed wording left some members concerned about the potential for a 'hostile takeover,' or having a majority group purchase memberships the day of the AGM and nominate their own candidates to the board. The wording proposed at the 2014 AGM would continue to give voting power to only members in good standing (as per Election of the Board of Directors (d): All members in good standing who are present at the AGM shall be eligible to vote.), thus minimizing the opportunity for a day-of takeover.

If you have any questions or concerns about this proposed change in advance of the AGM please contact Kristen Flath, Director of Policy, and [email protected].

Community Garden Bike Tours 2014

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EBC is teaming up with Sustainable Food Edmonton to host two community garden bike tours! Come see the bounty that is growing at some of the community garden sites operating in the City of Edmonton (there are over 70). Each garden will have a host to share the stories of their garden - how the garden operates, how it came to be, and its impact on the local community. Each tour will visit a different route with approximately 15 kms of riding within 4 hours. You must be comfortable with on-road cycling (light traffic only). Experienced cyclists will lead and tail. Please bring your own:

  • bicycle
  • helmet (mandatory for children and recommended for adults)
  • bike lock
  • water and lunch
  • appropriate clothing (tour runs rain or shine!)
  • sunscreen & bug spray

Registration is free but mandatory and you will be asked to sign a waiver and photo permission form before participating.

Please register at: http://sustainablefoodedmonton.org/bike-tour-registration-2014/

West-Central Tour Saturday July 12, 2014 9 am - 1:30 pm Meet at 124 Street Grand Market site, 12327 - 108 Ave Tour includes: Inglewood garden, St Andrews Seniors Centre garden, YOUCAN Youth Services garden, Grovenor garden, Laurier Heights naturalization & composting site, Rio Terrace garden, food foraging in Mackinnon Ravine, and ending at Westmount garden.

Mill Creek & Mill Woods Tour Sunday July 20, 2014 11 am - 3:30 pm Meet at Idylwylde Community Garden, 8631 - 81 St (across the street from Bonnie Doon pool on east side) Tour includes:  Idylwylde garden, Wagner High School garden, Greenview garden, Lee Ridge Growing & Gardening Together garden, Richfield garden, as well as the Argyll Velodrome, and ending at the French Quarters Farmer's Market.

 

See some highlights from last year's 2013 Community Garden Bike Tours! http://youtu.be/TMBzUVMqWOQ   

 

Feel free to print and share the event poster!

Bike Tour Poster 2014