August 2011 Newsletter
Oh my, August is here already. Hope you have been having many sultry summer two-wheeled adventures!
Anna Vesala
Executive Director
an...@edmontonbikes.ca
Education
New bike markings
New bike infrastructure means new bike signage. Much of the bike lanes and sharrows that have been added this summer are piecemeal, changing every few blocks. This makes it confusing for cyclists to navigate, especially new cyclists! Take the new markings on 76 Avenue as an example:
Between Saskatchewan Drive on the west and 103 Street (Calgary Trail) on the east, the bike markings change 7 times! The sections marked 'B', 'A', and 'C' are at least all similar in that they are all bike lanes. The difference between them is in the position of the on-street vehicle parking. Note that in the right lane of 'A' and both lanes in 'C', there is a high likelihood of a parked car door opening and the cyclist will have insufficient clearance to go around it and will either make an amazing stop or smash into the car door!
Bike lane markings:
Road sign for bike lanes:
There are also different types of sharrow markings (not seen on 76 Avenue). Again, the difference is in the position of the on-street vehicle parking.
Sharrow markings:
Road signage for sharrow markings:
Perhaps the most odd and illogical marking is the single file sharrow. It requires cyclists to take the lane and ride in single file with vehicles. The drawings make it obvious why cyclists are in the centre lane, but when there are no parked vehicles, the cyclist will often feel pressured to either risk getting an aggressive driver pulling around into the parking lane to pass or ride outside of the sharrow in the parking lane letting the car go by.
Single file markings:
Road sign for single file sharrows:
This infrastructure needs some design help! It seems that the reason for the many changes along one section is to accomodate the on-street parking. The City received a lot of push-back from individuals in the neighbourhoods with proposed bike infrastructure because of the loss of on-street parking. The resulting choppy bike lanes are not very useful for moving cyclists efficiently on their route. City Council needs to hear from individuals who value bike infrastructure above on-street parking. Remember, vehicles can park on all adjacent streets and avenues!
Get to know the roads
EBC's summer education courses continue in August. Learn how to ride the new bike lanes and sharrows, how to ride safely and efficiently, and how to plan your commute.
Course dates and registration info here.
BikeWorks
BikeWorks patron satisfaction survey
Alex, our trusty BikeWorks Coordinator, has crafted a survey to help us evaluate the services provided at BikeWorks. Please fill it out to help us understand what the community needs from our shop.
Art nights & a bike zine
Leila and Kim, EBC's team of Artists in Residence, are holding Art Nights where you can make bicycle-themed art, art made of reused bicycles parts, or just spend time in the shop around people making stuff.
Inner tube wallet with fancy stitching, $10
They are also putting together a zine! You can contribute some:
- winter biking survival tips
- poetry
- bicycle encounters and stories
- memorials
- favourite bike routes
- sneaky cycling secrets
- drawings, photos, wood/lino-cut prints, silkscreens
- any other creative bits
Submissions can be sent to art...@edmontonbikes.ca by August 17.
In memory of Ian Helgesen
EBC experienced a great loss last month with the sudden passing of BikeWorks volunteer mechanic Ian Helgesen at the age of 27. Originally from Silver Bay, Minnesota, Ian moved to Edmonton to pursue graduate studies at the U of A researching the evolutionary forces behind behaviour and cognition via mathematics and computer modeling.
Ian's presence at BikeWorks was one of warmth and generosity and over the years he helped countless people experience the pleasures cycling. A memorial bike ride was held on July 25, one week after his passing. Thanks for everything, Ian; we'll miss you.
Ian hauling a trailer to help Earth's General Store move locations 2009.
EBC Volunteers Needed
Sign up for our volunteer email list to get upcoming volunteer opportunities for new and experienced volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include EBC display/tabling, bike parking attendants, mechanics for bike tunes-ups, commuter cycling course assistants, and more.
August 11: EBC at Downtown Block Party
2 mechanics needed (paid). More info here.
August 12, 19: EBC at the Fringe Festival
2 mechanics needed. More info here.
August 13: EBC at Eastwoodfest
2 mechanics needed. More info here.
Upcoming Events
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Art Night!
Make bike art every Wednesday. More info here.
August 8: Learn To Ride Course
New to cycling? This course covers balancing, steering, and bicycle safety. More info here.
August 9: Urban Commuter Course
Have you had a near-miss with a vehicle? Do pedestrians and motorists yell at you? Do you want a more peaceful, efficient commute? Refine your skills with this 4 hour course. Bring a friend to help them become a commuter too! More info here.
August 10: Cycle Adventure Camping Discussion
A course about cycle camping and off-road adventuring. More info here.
August 11, 13, 18 & 20: CAN-BIKE 2 Course
The equivalent of Driver's Ed for cyclists. Suited for experience cyclists and those looking to get certified in the only national level cycling course. More info here.
August 14: Urban Commuter Course
More info here.
August 16 & 30: EBC Volunteer Orientation
Become a volunteer at BikeWorks, EBC's bike events, bike advocacy, or special projects. Sign up here.
August 17: Bike Zine Submissions
Let's make an Edmonton bike zine! More info here.
August 21: Pint Ride
S'all in the name. More info here.
August 21 & 22: EBC Strategic Planning Workshop
EBC's organizational structure and 5 year plan will be discussed and visioned. Past and present board members, core volunteers, staff, as well as committed community members are welcomed to attend. More info here.
August 23, 25, 28: Pedal-Powered Generator Workshops
Learn to design and build you own pedal-powered things! Anything that uses electricity is game. More info here.
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In this issue
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Education
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BikeWorks
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EBC Volunteers Needed
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Upcoming Events
Stay connected
EBC website events calendar
 EBC Facebook page NEW!
 twitter.com/edmontonbicycle
 EBC Google Calendar can integrate into your iCal
BikeWorks
Visit Edmonton's only volunteer-run community bike shop and we'll help you to fix your bike.
10047-80 Avenue, entrance is through the back alley only.
Summer hours:
Mondays: 6 pm - 9 pm
Tuesdays: closed for bike building
Wednesdays: 1pm - 9 pm
Thursdays: 6 pm - 9 pm
Fridays: closed
Saturdays: 1pm - 5 pm
Sundays (Women & Transgendered Only on 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday of each month): 1pm - 5 pm
Sundays (2nd, 4th of each month): 1pm - 5 pm
Support EBC
Cyclists unite! Become a member to support EBC's services and programs which make cycling in Edmonton more enjoyable.
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