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We've opened a second community bike shop, we're Biking to the Symphony, we're at the Edmonton Bike Swap, and we're giving cyclists a voice in Edmonton. And we need your help to do it all. |
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Now open! BikeWorks North (9305 111 Ave) is now open Saturdays 1-5pm. We're looking to open for longer hours, but we need volunteers, with or without mechanical experience. We also need equipment and bicycle donations, and volunteers for The Spoke. Learn more about how you can help out. » |
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Summer Hours
Beginning May 2, BikeWorks South will be open Mon 6-9pm, Wed 2-8pm, Sat & Sun 1-5pm. BikeWorks North will extend its hours Sat & Sun 1-5pm, with Thu evenings added in a few weeks. But we need your help at both locations! There are essential non-mechanic roles, as well as roles for mechanics (including for people that wish to learn more). Let us know if you'd like to help out, and we'll show you how. » |
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Adult Learn to Ride
Are you looking to learn how to ride a bike, or do you know an adult, young or old, that wants to learn? We're gauging interest in an adult learn-to-ride course. Our rental bikes provide a good opportunity to learn without commiting to purchase a bike. Send us a note if you're interested in this. |
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Adaptive Bicycles
We're work on a lending library program to help provide adaptive bicycles to youth and adults. A partnership between several organizations, we've only just started developing it, but if you've seen the adapted bikes around BikeWorks South, that's why. If you're interested in helping (transportation, repairs, and administration), send us an e-mail at in...@edmontonbikes.ca. |
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Basic Bike Maintenance Courses
These 3-hour courses are highly popular and equally useful, covering tires, brakes, and shifting. There's a specialized course on gearing, too. But they fill up fast--our April courses had a long waiting list. Have you registered for May courses yet? » |
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What's New
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Another month, another newsletter design...
How do you like the new format? Let us know if it doesn't work for you: we strive to be inclusive.
Read on to hear about some of the work we've been busy with. It's only a fraction of everything we've been doing. You can support us by renewing your membership online if it's lapsed: you can even renew for multiple years at once.
When does my membership expire? I forget.
Just e-mail us with your name and phone number and we'll check. If you have troubles with the online form, you can still renew in-person at BikeWorks, or print and mail your member form.
Where's my membership?
We're shamefully behind on mailing out membership packages. We're currently working on redeveloping the membership packages (including new benefits, such as more discounts at various bike-friendly stores around town), and once we have more of that in place, we'll begin mailing out the membership packages. If you have any concerns or questions about your membership, just e-mail us and we'll let you know. In the meantime, if you've paid, please know that your membership is fully valid, and we greatly appreciate your patience and your support. |
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State of the City
Every year, the City of Edmonton provides a summary of civic programs and services delivered to meet the goals of City Council, representing the priorities of Edmontonians. This report highlights main achievements in civic operations from the past year and new initiatives that will continue transforming Edmonton into an even greater city for generations to come.
EBC was featured in the City of Edmonton's 2012 State of the City Report. Twice. You'll find us on page 14 and page 21.
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Advocacy
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Ward Representatives
EBC's Advocacy Committee is looking for ward reps.
What's a ward representative?
You'll be an informal liaison between EBC and your ward. You'll alert the Advocacy Committee to cycling-related issues in your ward, work with the Committee to correct them and commit to attending one meeting at City Hall each year or sending a letter to your councillor.
The possibilities are wide-open: you could contact the community leagues in your ward, help organize local bike events, and generally be the go-to person for cycling in your part of town. In all of this, you would be supported by the Advocacy Committee.
What we really need is eyes and ears in every ward. The real point behind this is to be knowledgeable about existing bike infrastructure so that we can advocate for better future cycling infrastructure. It's also handy in that we have another way to remind councillors about
cycling issues outside of council meetings and the inevitable budget debate.
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Velo-City 2012 and Bike!Bike!
Thanks to generous donations from some of our members, EBC is going to Velo-City 2012, the world's premiere cycling conference. Bringing together advocates, planners, policy-makers, and other professionals, Velo-City will be a great opportunity for us to share knowledge and effective strategies, and to network with both local and international experts. Held in Vancouver, this is the first time the conference has been in North America. It coincides with Bike!Bike! 2012 in Vancouver, a much smaller conference of non-profit bike collectives. EBC will be attending both!
Did you know that EBC is unique among the vast majority of community bike shops and advocacy groups, in that we perform direct lobbying as well as operating not just one, but two volunteer-run community bike workshops? Most organizations choose one or the other: bike shop or advocacy, but not both. We believe there are advantages to doing both (the goals are the same, after all: a healthier, stronger, safer community, and a happier, better city to live in), but it's more than twice as much work.
Urban Systems recently invited EBC to a presentation by Andreas Røhl, City of Copenhagen's Bicycle Programme Manager. Andreas is currently helping to develop the City of Vancouver’s Active Transportation Master Plan. Next time Andreas is in Edmonton, EBC will try to host a public presentation with him. In the meantime, we'll be putting together our own presentation based on what we learn in Vancouver, to share with Edmonton after we return.
Keep your ears open for a national cycling advocacy organization that's in the works, too. We'll be putting some heads together at Velo-City 2012.
If you are driving out to Vancouver on June 21, or coming back to Edmonton June 30 or July 1, with space for a bike, or you know of a billet for Chris Chan that's a bikable distance from downtown Vancouver, let's chat. I'd love some company.
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Urban Planning and Human Transit
Former Oregon Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager, Michael Ronkin, and public transit design and policy consultant Jarrett Walker both recently gave free lectures in Edmonton. Hosted by the City-Region Studies Centre, these were great learning opportunities for anyone interested in good planning and a livable city. Sign up to the CRSC newsletter for all their event announcements.
Walking, transit, and cycling: all forms of active transportation are necessary for a vibrant community, and to make our city a place where we want to live. It's about urban quality.
Would you like some numbers with that?
If you're looking for data or comparative analysis on transportation issues, check out the Victoria Transport Policy Institute. It's an independent think tank that focuses on a data-based appproach to improve transportation planning and policy analysis. Arm yourself with hard numbers! |
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Active Transportation in Edmonton
EBC has been attending the City's Southeast to West LRT Community Conversation sessions, as well as bike lane information sessions, speaking on behalf of pedestrian and cycling integration and infrastructure. We also have seats at the Trails, Paths and Routes Advisory Committee, Active Transportation Network committee, and have been involved in the City's WinterCity Strategy.
The current phase of LRT consultation sessions have completed, but you can still add your input to the LRT, and highlight the need for strong integration with cycling infrastructure, and trains that work well with multi-modal trips: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9LN8J2L. The survey closes on April 30.
Two more information sessions for this year's additional bike lanes are scheduled.
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Information Sessions: City Hall |
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Residents and the general public are invited to drop in at either of these information sessions to learn more about the plans for 15 km of on-street bike routes that will be built in 2012. |
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Dates |
Thursday, May 3, 2012 & Thursday, May 10, 2012 |
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Time |
4pm to 7pm |
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Location |
City Room, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
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Buena Vista/Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park Master Plan Survey
Buena Vista/Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park forms a large dynamic park area offering a wide variety of amenities for a broad range of users. The park area is important to many people across the city and your ideas about the future use and management of the park space, its amenities and the Yorath House are important to the creation of a master plan that truly reflects the vision of Edmontonians.
The City of Edmonton Buena Vista/Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park Master Plan Design Team has taken input received from stakeholders, including the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society, and the public during past public consultations about the park and crafted a draft vision statement that will guide the master plan design process. Fill out a short, nine question, survey to let us know if the draft vision statement reflects your future vision for the park. Based on input, changes to the visioning statement may be made to better reflect what Edmontonians' envision for this dynamic park area. The survey will be available until May 6, 2012.
http://www.surveymk.com/s/buenavistalaurierparkvision |
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Where's the bike lane?
We're filming a cheeky little video about bike lane maintenance in Edmonton (potholes, sweeping). If you have five minutes to appear on camera and say the words, "bike lane?", let us know! |
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Education
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You Can Ride Two (Special Needs Children's Learn to Ride)
This year, we're running two sessions each Thursday night, and we could still use a few more volunteers starting next week (April 26 is just a small session).
One session is for students who can follow verbal instruction, with one volunteer for each student, running from 6pm-6:45pm, and a second for students who need non-verbal instruction, with at least two volunteers for each student, running from 7pm-7:45pm.
We have booked two parking sections at Goldbar Park Thursdays from April 26 through to June 12 (3:00 to 8:00PM). Hopefully we will be lucky with the weather this year and we won't run that long. We will just need four or five people for the April 26 session as that will be for registration, helmet fit and bike check.
We need 15 to 20 assistant instructors who are experienced bicyclists and/or occupational or physical therapists. Some formal training such as CanBike is welcomed but not required. There is a detailed course outline to assist new instructors and bring return instructors back up to speed.
Please let us know:
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if you can help out,
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if you can make all the dates, and, if not,
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which dates/times you are able to attend.
Please feel free to pass this invite on to any knowledgeable cyclists, physical therapists or occupational therapists you know, and post it to any websites you think suitable.
One of our lead instructors, John Collier, says, "I teach a variety of courses during the year, all of them enjoyable, but this course is the most fun and rewarding of them all!"
If you can help out, please contact John at jbco...@shaw.ca.
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Book us for your organization or community group:
Workplace lunch & learns, and on-road cycling safety courses
Did you know that you can book us at your workplace for any of our services, whether its on-street riding safety, bike tune-ups, or mechanic lessons? Just send us an e-mail and we'll discuss the details. |
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Services
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Help Wanted
We've been working hard, but in order to grow and sustain the organization, we need your help.
A few hours of time a month can make a big difference. It can mean opening or closing the shop, or it can mean mobilizing an advocacy campaign or beginning an incredible partnership. You can commit to casual volunteering or scheduled shifts, and you don't need any mechanical skills, even to volunteer at BikeWorks.
Sign up for one of our upcoming volunteer orientations:
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Monday, April 30, 6:30pm: BikeWorks North
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Tuesday, May 1, 6:30pm: BikeWorks South
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Monday, May 7, 6:30pm: BikeWorks North
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Tuesday, May 8, 6:30pm: BikeWorks South
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Monday, May 14, 6:30pm: BikeWorks North
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Tuesday, May 15, 6:30pm: BikeWorks South
Wanted: office and shop furnishings
In addition to volunteers, we have a "wanted" list of items to help get our second workshop furnished and operating. Donations of furniture: kitchen (refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven), office, bookcases, warehouse shelving, and wired telephones, as well as the usual donations of bicycles and bike parts (specifically for BikeWorks North) would all be greatly appreciated. E-mail us if you'd like to donate something and you aren't sure if we can take it.
EBC is hiring a Community Bicycle Workshop Coordinator. This position is funded by STEP, so applicants must meet STEP criteria. Application deadline is May 4.
Internships with EBC
The Serving Communities Intership Program (SCiP) provides $1000 bursaries for interns. The schedule is flexible, the roles can be created to suit your skills and interests, and the work is challenging (no busy-work here!). You get great volunteer experience, and you get a $1000 bursary to support your work. Check out our current postings, or contact us to discuss other ways you'd like to contribute.
Casino Volunteers
A major portion of EBC's funding comes through AGLC-managed casinos. For two days of volunteering, we receive about $70,000-$80,000. But it's critical that we have enough volunteers to staff the casino. Our next casino is July 19-20 at the Palace Casino in West Edmonton Mall. If you are able to volunteer for this, a few hours of your time is about the equivalent of donating a few thousand dollars to EBC. Please contact us if you are available for a shift or two on those days! No experience is required.
The Spoke Volunteers
EBC's youth-mentorship program, The Spoke, is re-launching in May. We need people with skills with kids, and/or mechanical skills to help out. E-mail sp...@edmontonbikes.ca to get involted!
Events Volunteer Opportunities:
Please get in touch if you can help out with any of these roles. For tabling representatives, you don't need to have any experience: you'll get a thorough orientation.
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Environment Week Edmonton - Saturday, June 2, 10am-3pm at McIntyre Gazebo Park (Old Strathcona Farmers' Market)
This event can't be confirmed until we have enough volunteers.
9:30am - 12:30pm: 1 mechanic, 1 tabling representative (setup)
12:30pm - 3:30pm: 1 mechanic, 1 tabling representative (teardown)
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Highlands Street Festival - Sunday, June 3, 10am-5pm at 112 Ave and 65 St
http://www.highlands112avenue.com/streetfestival.html
This is a fundraising opportunity for BikeWorks North. We'll be running a silent auction and collecting the proceeds from it.
9:30am - 12:00pm: 1 mechanic or tabling rep, 1 tabling representative (setup)
12:00pm - 2:30pm: 1 mechanic or tabling rep, 1 tabling representative
2:30pm - 5:30pm: 1 mechanic or tabling rep, 1 tabling representative (teardown)
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Bike to the Symphony - Friday, June 8, 9:30pm at the Winspear Centre (Sir Winston Churchill Square)
http://edmontonbikes.ca/calendar/more/bike_to_the_symphony_2012/
6pm: 1 cyclist to haul bike racks to the Winspear Centre (trailer is provided)
7pm: 1 person to set up bike racks at the Winspear Centre
8pm-9pm: 1 photographer to take photos of riders
9pm: 2 people to take tickets and distribute memberships in the lobby of the Winspear
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Callingwood Farmers' Market - Sunday, June 10, 10am-3pm at Callingwood Market (69 Ave and 178 St)
This event can't be confirmed until we have enough volunteers.
http://www.callingwoodmarketplace.com/farmers-market
10am-3pm: 2 mechanics (paid positions; $20/hr)
EBC has ordered new, sturdier (yet lighter-weight!) equipment for mobile mechanic events, to make it easier for you to do your work. Your feedback as volunteers is always welcome! |
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Rentals for town, touring, cargo, and storage
Do you need to rent a bike for the MS150? Borrow a tandem for a wedding or a tour?
Our tandem, which was hand-built in Alberta by Arvon Stacey of Arvon Cycles, is sized for a 5'5"-5'11" pilot and a stoker of almost any size. (We even have something called a "tandem car rack adapter", though I'm honestly not sure if or how it works with our tandem.) You can rent it for the day, the week, or the month!
We also have a rental fleet of regular road, mountain and hybrid bikes. Photos and descriptions will be coming in the next month or so, but you can check out the rates now on our website, and visit BikeWorks South to peruse the selection.
Additionally, EBC has a stable of cargo trailers available for rent (from small BOBs up to 8-foot two-wheeled 300lbs-capacity cargo trailers), and temporary event bike racks.
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Edmonton Bike Swap
Spread the word about the first Edmonton Bike Swap on May 12! You can bring down your bike to sell or just shop for bikes. (It's a bit like a big garage sale for bikes.) Organized by the registered non-profit Alberta Bike Swap, EBC is receiving 25% of the proceeds from this event.
We are supporting it with volunteers. Setup, teardown, runners, door monitors, intake, cash and floor volunteers, as well as mechanics: help us out! This can be a great boon for EBC, and get many people cycling at the same time. Shifts are 4 hours: your choice of 7:30-11:30 or 12pm-4pm.
Alberta Bike Swap will be providing lunch for volunteers, as well as first pick and purchase privileges at the event.
50% of the profit from the swap is donated to local community cycling initiatives. All bikes not sold are returned to the owner if requested, or donated to EBC. This will help us to get our second location stocked up.
Please let us know if you can help out, and invite your friends to sell/purchase bikes at the event. Contact us at in...@edmontonbikes.ca. For more info, visit albertabikeswap.ca. |
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Events
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Basic Maintenance
Date: Friday, May 4
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: BikeWorks South (10047 80 Ave)
Website
If you want to start learning about working on your own bike but aren’t sure where to start, this workshop is for you! |
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Bike Reel Short Film Fest 2012
Date: Wednesday, May 9
Time: 7pm
Location: Metro Cinema (8712 109 St)
Website: http://bikereel.com
Bike Reel is a compilation of short films from across the world that dive deep into our complex relationships with bicycles. Ride your bike to be entered into a draw to win a GoPro Camera! |
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Basic Maintenance
Date: Friday, May 11
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: BikeWorks South (10047 80 Ave)
Website
If you want to start learning about working on your own bike but aren’t sure where to start, this workshop is for you! |
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Gearing Demystified
Date: Friday, May 18
Time: 6:30pm
Location: BikeWorks South (10047 80 Ave)
Website
Derailleurs, shifters and the drivetrain are the focus of this class. Learn how to align and set up derailleurs, replace and tension the cables and how to keep your gears shifting accurately & smoothly. |
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Advocacy Committee meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 29
Time: 7:00pm
Location: BikeWorks South (10047 80 Ave)
Website
Monthly meeting to discuss advocacy projects. Meets on the last Tuesday of each month. |
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Copyright © 2012 Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website or in your membership application.
Our mailing address is:
Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society
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