[Bike to the Future] June events, May advocacy and media

[Bike to the Future]

Hello! Bike to the Future volunteers have been very busy during May, and there are many events during June.
 
1. International Trails Day (this coming Saturday June 2)
2. Commuter Challenge (June 3 to 9)
3. May Monthly Meeting minutes
4. Bike to Work Day 2012
5. Volunteers needed for bicycle counts on Bike to Work Day
6. Other Upcoming Events
7. Pembina Highway: construction of buffered bike lanes begins in July
8. BttF's letters to public health officers and provincial politicians urging actions for cyclist safety on public roads
9. Many recent cycling stories in Winnipeg media
10. BttF memberships / donations
 
Kevin Miller
Bike to the Future, Secretary
biketothefuture.org
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International Trails Day (this coming Saturday June 2)
 
There are nine free events at nine trail locations throughout Winnipeg!
 
All the info
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Commuter Challenge (June 3 to 9)
 
The Commuter Challenge is an annual friendly competition that encourages individuals and workplaces to explore greener transportation options for personal, environmental, and community health.
 
Complete info, including links to register your participation and register your commuting kilometres
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May Monthly Meeting minutes
 
May Monthly Meeting minutes
 
Our June Monthly Meeting is on Tuesday June 12 at 5:30 PM at the Sport for Life Centre.  Everyone is welcome to attend.
Agenda (tentative)
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Bike to Work Day 2012
 
We invite you to take to the streets and join thousands of commuters in cycling to work.
 
The 5th annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg will be held on Friday June 22.
 
Stop by a Pit Stop from 6:30 to 9:00 AM on your way to work and get a boost with free snacks, bike tune ups, and refreshments. Over thirty community and corporate groups will welcome cyclists in the morning. Each Pit Stop will host its own prize giveaways, and there will be an opportunity to meet a diversity of active transportation supporters.
 
You can wind up your week with a BBQ at The Forks beginning at 3:30 PM, featuring local musical talent, free dinner, and your chance to win a brand new Schwinn bicycle or a bike trailer from Chariot Trailers.
 
Start today by registering online to show your support for the smart commute, and to take advantage of the day's festivities.
 
We look forward to seeing you on your bike.
 
biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org
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Volunteers needed for bicycle counts on Bike to Work Day
 
Details
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Other Upcoming Events
 
There are many other events in June. They include:

• Riverview Health Centre's Cycle on Life: Sunday June 3 at 8:00 AM / 9:00 AM -- Selkirk to Winnipeg / Riverview Health Centre
• Wheely Fun Bike Ride: Sunday June 10 at 11:30 AM -- The Forks to Legislative Grounds, plus satellite rides to The Forks
• 4th annual MEC Bikefest Winnipeg: Saturday June 16 at 11:00 AM -- The Forks Market Plaza
• The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals webinars continue to take place on the third Wednesday of each month (June 20) from 2:00 to 3:00 PM CST at the Eco-Centre (3rd floor, MEC building -- 303 Portage Ave & Donald St).

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Pembina Highway: construction of buffered bike lanes begins in July
 
Earlier this month we told you about the City's proposed improvements to the Pembina Underpass (at Jubilee), and that only one of the proposed options meets the minimum requirements for active transportation by including the long-promised east-west pathway to safely carry cyclists and pedestrians over Pembina Highway.
 
Now there is some good news about Pembina Hwy! Construction of buffered bike lanes on Pembina between Plaza Drive and Chevrier Blvd / Crescent Drive will begin in July.
 
Background and Info
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BttF's letters to public health officers and provincial politicians urging actions for cyclist safety on public roads
 
Bike to the Future has written letters to the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Chief Medical Examiner of Manitoba, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority officials, and provincial politicians. We urge them to promote safety for cyclists on public roads, and to enact public policy and legislative actions to increase safety for cyclists.
 
The letters and a reply
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Many recent cycling stories in Winnipeg media
 
Some have been about good news, one was about a tragedy, a few feature cyclists telling their stories, and others announce proposed provincial legislation.

• Pembina Highway to get bicycle lanes
• Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
• My life as a cyclist
• City cyclists deserve more respect
• Proposed Amendments to Highway Traffic Act Would Support More Active Transportation
  Bike to the Future and Manitoba Cycling Association volunteers have spent dozens of hours analyzing this proposed legislation to determine if the potential negatives for cycling outweigh the potential positives, and more time/effort has been expended discussing the legislation with provincial officials. You'll hear more about this is future newsletters.
• Manitoba proposes helmet law for young cyclists
  BttF's response

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BttF memberships / donations
 
Although we have changed our memberships from annual to lifetime (primarily to relieve an administrative burden), we encourage BttF members to consider making an annual donation to BttF by re-purchasing a membership.
 
Get involved, become a member, donate
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Our website at biketothefuture.org is updated often.