Volunteers needed for Bike Edmonton's casino, December 30 and 31, 2020

This year the Bike Edmonton casino dates are Wednesday, December 30 and Thursday, December 31, 2020. We are at the Starlight Casino, 8882 170 St NW in West Edmonton Mall. You do not need any experience or knowledge of casinos or games to volunteer at Bike Edmonton's casino event. We have professional advisers to provide training and guidance in every aspect of our volunteer roles. Training will happen at the start of your shift. For more information or to sign up to volunteer for the casino, please visit our Bike Edmonton Casino 2020 Volunteer Sign-up Form.

Bike Edmonton uses licensed charitable casino events to raise funds for our activities. Once every two years, we staff a casino with volunteers for two days, which generally raises over $70,000 to support our organization. This year, following Covid-19 restrictions, we will have fewer volunteers in the casino. Volunteering during these holiday dates is equivalent to receiving an extra ~$17,500.

By volunteering at this event, your 4-8 hour shift is equivalent to donation of thousands of dollars to Bike Edmonton. Although there is a chance that the casinos will close again because of Covid-19, we move forward in hope as always.

Free youth earn-a-bike program the Spoke, starts Wednesday October 28th, 2020

The Spoke is a Bike Edmonton program for youth that builds cooperation, mechanical aptitude, and excitement for cycling adventures! The Spoke doesn’t run in the summer and the spring sessions may be cancelled. Join now!

Registration: Email [email protected] to receive registration information or fill out the Spoke nomination form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10SvZQCQPF_QbTOCSIgIKNcPxJhSXHLsm5LFXYmzAZEA/viewform?edit_requested=true

Cost: Free. Youth take home a bike, lock, lights, helmet, and a bell. A $100 deposit is due on the first night, to be refunded if youth has attended all 5 nights. Permitted absences are defined in the registration package. Please let us know if this deposit is a financial challenge.

Who: Youth between 12-17 years old inclusive learn introductory bike repair skills and on-road skills with the help of our volunteer bike mechanics. Youth can join as long as they are at least 12 and don't turn 18 before the first day of the session. No mechanical knowledge is needed to join the Spoke. The program is open to all youth in this age group. We welcome youth with challenges. Contact us at [email protected] if your youth has special considerations.

When: Every Wednesday (6-8 pm) for 5 weeks. The youth needs to commit to all 5 sessions.

Where: Bike Edmonton Downtown Community Workshop, 10612 105 Ave NW Edmonton, Just North of the MacEwan University. 

Why: The Spoke is a community program that fosters relationships between youth and volunteers in a positive working space. The Spoke promotes a sense of ownership in the community, allowing for learning through mistakes and taking pride in wanting to learn.

How: Volunteers and staff offer strong leadership in cooperative work. Our volunteers bring a lot of social skills to the table. Contact us at [email protected] if your youth needs special consideration. We want to make sure that the skills we bring will help your youth embrace this learning opportunity.

Covid-19, care for our communities: In our shops and out in the community, Bike Edmonton is maintaining a health protocol to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. At the Spoke we implement the following precautions: class size reduced from 7 to 3, mask use, frequent hand sanitizer use, tool washing, keeping a distance, individually wrapped food, and designating an eating area away from others (front hall or outside when reasonable). We have also changed the format of the class so that there are more opportunities for outdoor activities including rides and instructional sessions. The youth should come prepared to ride on each night of the Spoke sessions.

Kids cycling clinic Sunday, October 4th, in Queen Mary Park

To support active transportation in Edmonton, Ever Active Schools is recruiting students in Grades 4 - 12 to participate in a free City Cycling Strategies clinic, on Sunday, October 4, 2020 in Queen Mary Park, Edmonton. Bike Edmonton is partnering with Ever Active Schools to increase the cycling knowledge, community awareness, safety, and confidence of student cyclists through comprehensive cycling clinics.

Participants will be engaged in learning helmet and bike knowledge, bicycle handling, signals and safe, secure locking methods, navigating intersections, signage, and routes, cycling etiquette, basic bicycle maintenance, on-road guided riding. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a learn to bike program. This program is intended to teach students about the cycling infrastructure in Edmonton and we will be doing a 10km on road ride.

For more information or to register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-cycling-strategies-clinic-queen-mary-park-community-tickets-122278838297

Questions? Contact Tracey Coutts, Health and Wellness Consultant - Active School Travel, at [email protected]

Photo is of a 2019 Bringing City cycling Strategies to Life for Edmonton Students ride.

Free bicycle tune ups today, September 5, at Grindstone 2020 Mural Massive

Free minor bicycle tune ups today, Saturday September 5th 2020 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Grindstone 2020 Mural Massive and Underground Art Auction event! Find the Bike Edmonton tune up station on 81 Ave between 100 street and 101 street. Your bike deserves a little love so it can fly through the winter, or be ready for you in the spring. We’ll make adjustments to your brakes, gears, headset, and more. We can replace a few parts while supplies last, like cables, housing, brake pads, and tubes if you want to pay for the cost of the parts. Our knowledgeable volunteers will answer all your questions about cycling in Edmonton and direct you to any cycling resources you need. Sponsored by Alberta Ecotrust. The Grindstone 2020 Mural Massive and Underground Art Auction event is sold out, but we’re at the gate and open to the public, so you can come visit us even if you don't have a ticket! To find out more about the Grindstone Mural Massive event by visiting https://www.grindstonetheatre.ca/shows/mural-massive/

Bike History of Edmonton Tour

Join Bike Edmonton on an easy-paced urban bike tour to celebrate 40 years of Bike Edmonton history on September 19, 2020!

We’ll visit historical Bike Edmonton locations and talk about the genesis of cycling advocacy in Edmonton, and the City’s attempts over the years to develop bike infrastructure.

We’ll be cycling about 9 kilometers with lots of breaks, which is an accessible distance for many adults. Our final destination will be Bike Edmonton’s new Downtown Community Bicycle Workshop, where particpants will enjoy a complimentary food truck lunch (your choice of either "Slow Carb Bowl" or "Burrito Molé") and a sun tea drink (fruit infused green tea), sponsored by Sustainable Food Edmonton! We'll also be providing tours of our new shop. A special thank you to our other sponsor, Alberta Ecotrust.

Participants will also receive a limited quantity Bike Edmonton sticker. Those who also sign up for the Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge and register the distance they’ve ridden this summer before the ride will also receive free bike lights and a bell.

Registration required via Eventbrite.

Bike Edmonton 2020 Annual General Meeting and Notice of Special Resolution

The Bike Edmonton Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020, from 1-3pm at picnic site #2 of Victoria Park, just behind the Victoria Park Pavilion (map).

This will be an outdoor meeting following COVID-19 precautions, and the focus will be limited to required-business: presentation and approval of audited financials and next year’s budget, an update on the activities of the Society, vote on a special resolution, and the election of the Board of Directors.

Everyone is invited to attend, hear updates about our new downtown location and COVID-19’s impact, and vote on important business. Only members-in-good-standing are eligible to vote: check your membership status (and renew your membership) here.

If you are interested in helping to set the direction of our growing organization, or know someone eager to help build Edmonton as a better city for cycling and walking, please visit our nominations page for details about the roles and responsibilities. Candidates can also be nominated from the floor at the AGM. Directors will be elected by our membership at the AGM.

Special Resolution

Notice of Special Resolution: proposed changes to voting and meetings

Notice is hereby given to all Bike Edmonton members that there is intention to propose the following to be passed as a Special Resolution during the Bike Edmonton Annual General Meeting on October 3, 2020.

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Bike Edmonton Society recommends amendments to the Society’s Bylaws;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Bylaws be amended as follows:

1. Delete "physically" from §7(d).

2. Delete "physically" from §8(f).

3. Add 8(g):If the Society chooses to make available a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during a meeting of members, any person entitled to attend such meeting may participate in the meeting by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communication facility in the manner provided by the policies and procedures of the Society. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this by-law, any person participating in a meeting of members pursuant to this section who is entitled to vote at that meeting may vote, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Society, by means of any telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that the organization has made available for that purpose.

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The proposed changes in full can be viewed here.

Outdoor Meeting

This meeting is being held outdoors, rain or shine or snow. Please be prepared for the weather, and dress for being sedentary. Accessible washrooms (with running water) are available in pavilion nearby. Car parking is available. Most people will access the site from River Valley Road (by car or bike). You can bring your bicycle directly to the site, or lock up at the bike racks in front of the pavilion.

There are a dozen picnic tables under a sheltered canopy at the meeting site; we will not be providing food or refreshments, so bring a picnic if you like! You may bring your own seating as well if you prefer.

Members who are unable or uncomfortable attending in-person, but wish to participate, should contact us. We are working on accomodations for virtual attendance and voting, but due to technological challenges of conducting outdoor livestreaming and electronic voting, we are unable to guarantee full participation or complete secrecy in ballots (if we do provide for electronic voting, the election administrator may be able to see votes). If you are a member-in-good-standing and wish to participate remotely, you will need to contact us directly at least 1 week prior to the AGM so we can ensure each individual participant has their unique and secure voting access.

COVID-19 Precautions

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19; with a history of international travel in the last 14 days; or with close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days must remain at home.

To respect the comfort and safety of everyone, please give 2m of space to people not within your cohort, and follow all public health guidelines. We encourage attendees to wear masks for the duration of the meeting.

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Free minor bicycle tune ups at 3 events this week!

Bike Edmonton wants to help you keep riding into the fall by offering free minor bicycle tune ups this week! Join us at 3 different outreach locations and you can get your bike in better shape.

Thursday, August 27, 2020, from 1 pm to 4 pm we’ll be at Camp Petiwewin, Remax Field

Friday, August 28, 2020, from 11 am to 2 pm we’ll be at Earth’s General Store, 9605 82 Ave NW. The 80 Avenue dedicated bike lane gets you within a block from Earths!

Saturday, August 29, 2020, from 11 am to 3 pm we’ll be at Al Fresco on 4th! outdoor market. Find us in the Michael Phair Park, 10124 104 St NW

If you register for the Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge, https://bikeedmonton.ca/explore-bike-edmonton, before you attend or while you wait for us to tune up your bike, you’ll receive a set of free bike lights and a bell!

A big thank you to our sponsor, Alberta Ecotrust

Minor bicycle tune up session and block party!

Bike Edmonton is offering free minor bike tune ups this Friday, July 31, 2020 at the Neighbours Art Hive and Block Party in Strathcona between 2 pm and 5 pm. Look for us on 81 Ave between 101 St and 102 st. We’re excited to be part of this event that offers music, art activities for all levels, activities, all in an inclusive market-like atmosphere. The event runs from 2 pm to 8 pm. Bring your mask (mandatory) and enjoy this outdoor community event! Minor bike tune ups are provided for free by Bike Edmonton, thanks to the generous funding of Alberta EcoTrust.

MacKinnon Ravine & 149 Street Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project

Information provided by EPCOR:

MacKinnon Ravine & 149 Street Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project

The existing storm sewer under 149 Street and the west end of MacKinnon Ravine has been identified as requiring rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation of approximately 375 metres of the storm sewer located in MacKinnon Ravine is underway. The rehabilitation work includes trenchless methods to reduce impacts on the natural environment and the construction footprint. However, excavations are required in some areas. EPCOR continues to be committed to minimizing excavations when possible.

The work will be done at three different locations.

Work Area #1 (blue line on map)

This work is currently underway. A pit has been excavated in the ravine just east of 149 Street and north of Summit Drive. From this pit, a new pipe will be inserted inside the deteriorated pipe and grouted in place. The total length of this repair is approximately 110 metres. This work is anticipated to begin in late June and expected to be completed in October 2020.

Work Area #2 (orange line on map)

This work has been completed. Rehabilitation of approximately 157 metres of existing pipe under the ravine, east of 149 Street, was completed in July 2020.

Work Area #3 (yellow line on map)

A pit will be excavated at the paved trail in the ravine, north of Summit Drive and approximately 200 metres east of 149 Street. From this pit, a new pipe will be inserted inside the deteriorated pipe and grouted in place. Depending on the exact amount of deformation and damage in the existing pipe, additional excavations may be required to allow insertion of the new pipe inside the deteriorated pipe. Preparation for this work is anticipated to start October 9, pending completion of construction in Work Area #1. The paved trail will be closed starting the week of October 13, with construction for Work Area #3 expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

Traffic and pedestrian accommodation

The north parking lane on Summit Drive between 147 Street and 149 Street will be closed to allow space for storage. In addition:

• Part of the grass area north of Summit Drive at 148 Street will be used for material storage and laydown.

• The two laydown areas are required due to limited working (heavily treed) space within the ravine.

• The paved trail between Summit Drive, that starts just east of 148 Street and the large trail junction near 143 Street, will be closed while work is underway at Work Area #3, anticipated to begin in October.

• While the paved trail is closed, pedestrians and cyclists will need to detour north to Stony Plain Road and access the ravine from the north side via the trail from 143 Street. Access to the ravine is also available on the east side of 142 Street, from Summit Drive.

• The work areas are staggered and sections of the trail will be opened when possible and no work activity is taking place.

• The pedestrian bridge at the 148 Street and Summit Drive will remain open.

• Signage will be place in advance of the closures to notify trail users.

This project is in addition to the 99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Rehabilitation project also occurring in the area. More information about the 99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Rehabilitation Project will be provided as mobilization dates are finalized. Detailed information about the worksites and work scope is currently available on the project site.

Bike Edmonton Fundraiser 2020 – Gearing up for the Future

The Bike Edmonton Fundraiser has a wide range of fun perks to choose from! By contributing to this fundraiser, you can treat yourself or buy a gift for someone else while supporting cycling in Edmonton!

Despite having a rocky spring, Bike Edmonton has a plan to flourish, becoming even more effective, and ensure that we can continue our essential services in these challenging times! Please consider contributing to our success. Together, we'll help build resilience in the city with affordable, healthy, fun bicycles! Visit our fundraising page for more information or to contribute!  https://apps.bikeedmonton.ca/civicrm/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo&reset=1&id=247

COVID-19 Update for May

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our workshops are operating by appointment-only for bike & parts sales and service.

If you are looking to buy a bike, please browse our selection of tuned-up bikes online and book an appointment for a test ride.

For parts and accessories, visit our online store. You can pay online and pick up your purchase at the shop.

For emergency repairs & service, please visit our service appointment page. We are also working towards creating an appointment system for for do-it-yourself and drop-off repairs.

We are still accepting donations at our Downtown location. Please visit our donations page for guidelines before coming, as we cannot accept all donations, and check our hours for receiving donations.

Please contact us directly if you need advice, used parts, or anything bike-related that you don’t see in the online store. We’ll do our best under the circumstances to get you riding again.

COVID-19 response update for March 25

Both shops will continue to be closed while we continue to develop processes to operate under these very dynamic conditions.

COVID-19 response March 17 update: South shop closure

We will be closing our south shop for the next week (at least) while we develop further ways to protect the health of our staff, volunteers, and patrons.

We have already been following strict cleaning regimen and limiting shop access, but feel that as the situation develops, we need to pause to have time to ensure that we have the proper infrastructure in place for a potentially longer-term disruption in normal operations, especially ahead of the spring and summer season.

We recognize that bikes are a crucial form of accessible transportation for many people, both as a mode of daily transport as well as for maintaining physical and mental health, so fully intend to find a way to minimize risk while still ensuring that people can access our services.

We welcome any feedback on what you feel are our most essential services, and how you would like us to deliver those services to you.

Saturday is our last day at the current location of our North Community Workshop!

We’re moving! Our North Community Bicycle Workshop at 9305 111 Ave will be open tonight and Saturday, and closed permanently starting Sunday, March 15.

Thanks for your support over the years, and especially the wonderful neighbours and the community we’ve been privileged to be a part of. We’re not moving far though, and hope to see everyone at our new downtown location at 10612 105 Avenue in April 2020!

New downtown Bike Edmonton Community Workshop opening April 2020

Bike Edmonton is moving our north shop to downtown!

The soft opening of our Downtown Community Bike Workshop is planned for early April at 10612 105 Ave. 

Our existing North Shop will remain open until mid-March. Please check our website for the latest news about closures. The South Shop remains open as usual.

Support us

To support the move, you can donate here. Even small contributions make a big difference: $10 buys LED lights for our bike hanger, or $100 will feed all of our renovation volunteers for a week.

You can also volunteer for the build-out by signing up here. We've been working every day and welcome more help.

Party with us!

We're opening our doors to the public in early April. Celebrate the grand opening with us on April 25 at Dirtbag Cafe next door! We'll share more details soon.

Location

Our new location is in the same building as Rock Jungle Boulders & Dirtbag Cafe, across the street from MacEwan LRT, MacEwan University, and directly on the 105 Ave protected bike lane. We're sad to be leaving our neighbours in Boyle/McCauley, Norwood and Alberta Ave: we've had a great eight years in the area, but we aren't moving very far: just 6 blocks south and a bit more central.

Hiring and Shop Volunteers

We're hiring a full-time Downtown Community Bike Workshop Manager to run the new shop. The position starts as soon as possible. Know anyone who would make a good candidate? Please apply today!

We also need volunteers to help serve the public once we open. Please let us know if you're interested in volunteering!

We’re excited for the new opportunities in this location, and all that we’ll be able to build together.

Call for Support: 30km/hr in the Core

Bike Edmonton fully supports the #YEGCoreZone call for a 30 km/h speed limit on residential neighbourhood roads in the core, and lower residential speed limits city-wide.

Core Zone communities desire 30 km/h in their neighbourhoods for two reasons:

1. Safety.
   
   In Toronto, central wards reduced their speed limits from 40 km/h to 30 on local roads. Researchers found that 28% fewer pedestrians were hit by motorists on these roads after the speed limit was reduced. Pedestrians killed or seriously injured on these roads plunged 67%. This came even as police drastically reduced motorist ticketing after dismantling their traffic unit.
   
   Research (and physics) shows that reductions in speed make a huge difference in safety, without significantly affecting travel times.
   

2. Better liveability
   

   Slower vehicles on the roads directly in front of homes makes for better neighbourhoods.
   
   

Here is the #YEGCoreZone call for your support:

We need YOU to support calmer speed limits at City Hall on February 26, at 9:30AM. 

That day, Edmonton's Community and Public Services Committee will review two speed-limit changes proposed by city administration. Proposal one is a 40km/hr city-wide residential speed limit. Proposal two is the 30km/hr #YEGCoreZone — but it will see all other residential areas across the city remain at 50km/h.

That's why we need you.

Last year, committee and council discussed a hybrid option — 30km/hr on residential streets in the core and 40km/hr on residential streets elsewhere — (meeting links here and here). But city administration is proposing just the two options noted above, and is not proposing a hybrid option. Given that council directed administration to consider a 30-40 hybrid as one potential fix, we need to push for it to come back. 

Why? 

FIRST, CORE NEIGHBOURHOODS NEED 30KM/HR. Any other speed isn’t safe for these neighbourhoods and their generally narrow roadways. Any other speed won’t encourage people to get out on their streets. Core communities have asked for 30km/hr and are ready for it. The only acceptable speed in the core is 30km/hr. 

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE REST OF EDMONTON. An increasing number of people across the city are calling for calmer residential streets. This was made clear in April at committee, and in May at council — as well as through other resident engagements. We know proposal one, which would mean 40km/hr in the core, isn’t acceptable. Yet we also know that proposal two would leave many residents outside the core living on streets with an unacceptable status quo of 50km/hr.

THE BEST SOLUTION IS EITHER A HYBRID OR 30KM/HR CITY WIDE. The committee should be pushed to consider if it prefers 30km/hr city wide or if it prefers a 30-40 hybrid. We need you to come to city hall and speak up to make sure this happens

By the way, we're not alone. The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues worked with community leagues regarding residential street speeds. The EFCL endorses 30km/hr residential streets city-wide. Their final report is here. 

Paths for People also supports 30km/hr city-wide and continues to advocate for streets for people. Check out their position here.

KEY MESSAGES

1. The #YEGCoreZone needs 30km/hr no matter what. Citizens are ready for it and the grid style design demands it. 

2. Citizens outside of the central core want slower streets, too. Keeping 50km/hr isn’t acceptable.

3. The best option for the rest of Edmonton is either 30km/hr city-wide or a 30/40 hybrid.

4. It’s time to start implementing safer and more liveable streets now.

HOW TO HELP

1. Email city council. You can use this link, or email your councillor directly.

2. Speak on February 26. You can sign up here.

3. If you want help with a presentation, or to coordinate so you don’t repeat something another speaker is saying, or if you've never presented before and are a bit nervous — we can help you out! Email Julie Kusiek at [email protected].

4. Talk to your friends and neighbours. It’s time for safe and liveable street supporters to take action. Invite them to get involved and forward them this newsletter.

RESOURCES

• Estimated time of arrival tool

• Video summary

• Community and Public Services Committee agenda and item report

Winter Cycling Mentor Matching

Paths for People and Bike Edmonton are pairing up Edmontonians who have winter cycling experience with folks who want to give it a try. The two non-profit organizations seek to foster the city’s cycling community and boost Edmontonians’ knowledge, comfort and confidence around cycling in the colder months. 

The new month-long mentorship program is recruiting seasoned winter cyclists and novice ones from February 14 until February 27. They must be 18+, have a working bike and be willing to commit to the five hours needed to complete the program:

• Mentor Sign-up form

• Novice Sign-up form

The initiative will begin with a panel discussion and meet-up of the matched mentors and mentees on Friday, February 28 at 7-9pm in the Bike Edmonton South Community Workshop. This will be followed by a month of knowledge sharing and conclude with a group ride of all participants on Saturday, March 14. 

Panel and Meet-n-Greet Session

Friday, February 28 (7-9pm) Bike Edmonton South Community Workshop  8001 102 Street

Seasoned winter-cyclists will cover the how-tos in a panel discussion. Then the mentors will be paired with novice winter-cyclists to answer any questions and problem solve one-on-one. 

Knowledge Sharing

February 28-March 13 

A month for the new winter cyclists to try out what they heard and learned. They have a chance to ask questions and get insights from their mentor via email over the month. 

Group Ride

Saturday, March 14 (11am-12pm) 

Meet at the Bike Edmonton South Community Workshop 8001 102 Street

A one-hour group ride with all the mentors and mentees. 

Reimagining Edmonton's streets on the cheap, talk by David Engwicht

Paths for People presents David Engwicht, an international leader in placemaking and urban planning, in a workshop and talk on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Bike Edmonton is proud to sponsor this event. Be inspired to reclaim neighbourhood streets as places!

Choose to sign up to one or both events on February 8, 2020.

Creatively Reframing & Reclaiming Public Space
Saturday, February 8, 2020
7-9pm
La Cité Francophone Theatre (8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury)
Pay-what-you-can. Tickets available via Eventbrite.

This evening public talk will motivate and challenge Edmontonians to merge transportation with creativity and reclaim their streets, both psychologically and physically. David champions low-cost, highly creative interventions by everyday citizens for changing the conversation and uses of city spaces. He will help Edmontonians start generating ideas and options for their own communities to make the streets friendlier, safer and more welcoming.

The public talk will be followed by a Q&A.

Transforming Public Spaces with Less Talk and More Action
Saturday, February 8, 2020
9:30am-3pm
Forest Terrace Heights Community League
10150 80 Street
Free. Tickets required, via Eventbrite.

This is a daytime public workshop led by David Engwicht and hosted by the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. The free half-day workshop from 9:30am-3pm is for community league leaders to learn strategies for placemaking. Participants will explore how to create extraordinary spaces in just 7 days, without endless talk and on a shoestring budget.