1. Welcome back Chris Chan
I'm pleased to announce that past president Chris Chan will be returning to EBC as our new Executive Director. Chris will take a leading role in advocating for cyclists at city hall and expanding EBC's programs and services.
All the best to Anna Vesala, our out-going ED, who has presided over immense growth at EBC in the last two years.
2. Bike lanes to be built this summer, please attend a Public Consultation in your neighborhood
The city needs to hear your support for these bike lanes so they don't make compromises. The lanes are part of a larger bike plan, and they need to be built correctly. Please take the time to find the lane closest to your home or your commute, attend the meeting, and speak.
All you need to say is, "Thanks, I could really use that bike lane and I want it to be built as planned."
All meetings 4-7pm:
Leger Road – 23 Avenue to Leger Way
Monday, March 19, 2012
Brookside Community League
5320-143 Street
121 Avenue - Victoria Trail to 77 Street
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Newton Community League
5520-121 Avenue
Wolf Willow Road – East of 170 Street
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Westridge/Wolf Willow Country Club
505 Wolf Willow Road
189 Street – 87 Avenue to 95 Avenue
Wednesday, April 2, 2012
Meadowlark Community League
15961 - 92 Avenue
(Includes consultation on 2013 project on
95 Avenue between 142 Street and 189 Street.)
121 Street-100 Avenue to 106 Avenue
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Rossdale Community League
10135-96 Avenue
(Includes consultation on 2013 project on
100 Avenue between 102 Street and 121 Street.)
82 Street – Yellowhead Trail to 137 Avenue
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Delwood Community League
7515 Delwood Road
116 Street – 87 Avenue to Saskatchewan Drive
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Spruce Avenue Community League
10240-115 Avenue
3. Bikeworks North is coming soon
We'll soon be offering our usual mix of DIY repairs, bikes for sale and rent, classes, and events at our new second location in the McCauley/Alberta Avenue area (see map, right). Starting in April, we'll be open Saturdays 1-5, with more public hours to be confirmed soon. Come repair a bike, or just satisfy your curiosity! (Hey, did you see us
in the Journal?)
In the meantime, you can still drop by during volunteer renovation hours: Mondays 1pm-8pm, Tuesdays 5pm-9pm, and Thursday 1pm-8pm.
4. Volunteering
For a relaxed, ~2-hour introduction to our space and some of the
ways you can volunteer, consider
registering for a volunteer orientation at Bikeworks North (March 26 or April 23) or Bikeworks South (April 10)-- you can also
add your name to be contacted about future orientations.
New volunteers are also welcome at our upcoming 5-week introduction to bike repair for volunteers only, back by popular demand. It'll be Thursday nights starting April 5th. If you can agree to give 20 hours to Bikeworks this summer and you'd like to jump into bike repair head-first, let us know at
volu...@edmontonbikes.ca. This will fill up fast!
If you're not able to volunteer, please consider
donating an unused bicycle, making a
monetary donation to our expansion of services, or
becoming a member:)
5. The Spoke Relaunches
This bike-repair/mentoring program for youth in the Alberta Avenue area has already
created buzz from the mayor's office to CBC's The National. EBC is totally stoked to announce that it will relaunch in May at Bikeworks North, its new permanent home. Consider joining the spoke volunteer team if you have bike repair
or youth work experience/interest. Email
spoke-volunte...@edmontonbikes.ca about joining the team or
spoke-r...@edmontonbikes.ca to nominate a participant.
6. Upcoming talks, etc
March 17 & 18: United Cycle
spring into action expo-- deals on stuff.
March 20th, 7pm: Oregon Planner Michael Ronkin will showcase factors critical to creating successful pedestrian and cycling networks using examples and case studies. Grant MacEwan City-Centre Campus or live on the web.
more details
April 16, 7pm: Human Transit Presentation with Jarrett Walker
details here soon
April 22, 9am-1pm: A new walk/run/ride event to kick off the International Conference on Urban Traffic Safety. Raises awareness of vulnerable road users, with proceeds to projects that memorialize victims of traffic collisions.
register
7. Vancouver in June: Bike!Bike! and Velo-city conferences
Velo-city is the world's premier international cycling planning conference, and it's coming to North America for the first time ever. Registration is pricey, but we'd love to see some of Edmonton's civic planners and politicians in attendance. Failing that, we might just have go ourselves to bring some global ideas back to them ...
Bike!Bike! brings together community bike shops (that's what Bikeworks is, in case you didn't know!) from around Canada and the U.S. EBC will be there too. Road trip!
8. Summer students
Ok, we haven't secured the grants for it yet, but we're hoping to hire two post-secondary students this summer: one would be a Bikeworks assistant, the other would be a summer events coordinator. Hang onto your resumes for now, but keep us in mind:)
9. Special needs learn-to-ride course
In its 10th season, this course is designed for children ages 8-12 with special needs who want to learn to ride a two wheeled bike. We are also looking for assistant instructors with experience in either cycling and/or physical/occupational therapy.
details
