Bike Summit in Nanaimo

Join us on Saturday January 23rd for the 2016 Bike Summit at Beban Park Social Centre. A full afternoon of bike movies, presentations, information sessions and discussions. Bike stores from Qualicum, Parksville and Nanaimo will have displays with their latest merchandise and bike lines, and there is a host of information available. And we want to hear from you. Come help shape cycling infrastructure, bike education and tell us your ideas.

Below is a short description of what is on the program. The event runs from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Sponsored by Arrowsmith Bikes - Pedego  - Pacific Rim Bicycles - Rock City Cycles - Hub City Cycles - Staples - City of Nanaimo - Buzz Coffee House

Bikes vs Cars Movie in Nanaimo

Bikes vs. Cars - The Movie - Wed. Oct 7th - VIU Nanaimo Campus

The Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition and VIU Sustainability are pleased tp screen Bikes vs Cars as part of VIU's Sustainability Fair this coming October.

Bikes vs Cars depicts a global crisis that we all deep down know we need to talk about: climate, earth's resources, and cities clogged with car.s - an ever-growing, dirty, noisy traffic chaos.
Presented at the Toronto and Vancouver Film festivals (to name a few) to rave reviews, this award-winning movie is a must-see .
The bike is a great tool for change and in the film we meet activists and thinkers who are fighting for better cities, and refuse to stop riding despite the increasing hazards of riding in traffic.
Admission is by donation (suggested $5).
Reserve a seat online.
Where -- B 250 R125
Bike parking is beside the gym (B190).
Pay parking is available right beside the building in lot Q. See VIU campus map.

Link to the Trailer for the Movie:

https://youtu.be/et8iEIPhooM

 

 

Local cycling projects - update

I recently contacted Kelsey Cramer and Joan Michel with the RDN regarding the latest news on the E&N Rail Trail Project and the improvements to Wembley Road which were announced recently by the RDN and MOTI (The Highways Dept). Here is what I received back from Kelsey:

The Rail Trail project is at about 75% design completion.  We are finalizing a few tricky spot along the way and then will need to proceed with obtaining all the required approvals (agricultural, environmental, road crossings etc.).  The project will also be constructed in phases and staff are currently preparing a report to present the options to the Regional Board.  Once this is confirmed, the information will be updated on the project website: www.rdn.bc.ca/railtrail

For Wembley Rd, I can’t speak specifically to the MOTI announcement, other than that I understand they intend to do the work in the fall.  Parks has looked at other trail linkages in the Wembley Rd area including separated trail along Lowry’s Rd and developing some off-road trail in undeveloped road right-of-ways in the neighbourhood.  This project hasn’t moved beyond the initial planning stages, but it might be something Joan moves forward with this year.

Jim 

Ride with the Qualicum Beach Mayor

Once again, it is that time of year to tune up the bikes and get ready for another great season of riding. For those of you who have already been riding, congratulations. For those that have been waiting for the summer, now is the perfect time to get the season started. Bike to Work Week is May 25 to May 31, 2015.

On May 27^th, please join the Town of Qualicum Beach for our annual “Ride with the Mayor” during Bike to Work Week. We will be meeting in front of Town Hall in Glassford square at 4:45 PM, riding towards West Qualicum Beach on a loop that will take approximately 30 minutes. The ride will finish at Town Hall where we will have refreshments for everyone.

Please forward this invitation to your friends and fellow cyclists – the more the merrier!

____________________________________________

Luke Sales, MCIP, RPP

Director of Planning

Town of Qualicum Beach

Wembley Road announcement

Upgrades improve safety on Wembley Road

View on Flickr

Transportation Tuesday, March 17, 2015 5:15 PM

8

PARKSVILLE - As part of B.C. on the Move, the Government of B.C.’s new 10-year transportation plan, improvements will be made to Wembley Road to make it safer for residents, schoolchildren and motorists.
Improvements to Wembley Road include:

• 1.2 kilometres of shoulder widening on the west side of Wembley Road from the Parksville city boundary to Wright Road;
• Installing a new cross walk, with lighting, at the Roberton Boulevard intersection; and,
• Widening existing bus pull outs along the corridor.

Local Cyclist riding in Cycle of Life Tour

Local cyclist Jim Dimmick is riding in this year's Cycle For Life Tour event taking place on the Island in July of this year. In the past four years the Cycle of Life Tour has raised over $115,000 to support local hospices on Vancouver Island. Jim is wondering if other Oceanside riders may have an interest.

The Tour link is at : http://www.cycleoflifetour.ca/

It is possible to donate to or encourage Jim at his personal page.

The organizers of the event indicate the donors can name the hospice organization they are donating to, including Oceanside Hospice Society.

For more information Call Lynn Wood with the Oceanside Hospice Society at 250 752 6227.

 

Nanaimo Bike Info Night

We would like to invite you to the 2015 Nanaimo Bike Information Night which is being held at Bowen Park Complex on Thursday January 22nd 2015 from 7 to 9pm. The evening will include updates by the city and other organizations on the extension of the E&N trail, a new Bicycle Map,  the Bicycling Master plan,  and other bicycling topics & issues. We hope to generate a wide interest and to get feedback and lots of questions.

Provincial Transportation Plan - Let Us Know Your Priorities

The Provincial Government is developing a new 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move, and wants to know your top three priorities for transportation infrastructure projects.

The British Columbia Cycling Coalition will be making a submission to the government and we want that submission to reflect the priorities of our members and other people cycling throughout BC. Knowing your priorities will also help us make the case to the government for increased investment million in cycling infrastructure, maintenance and education. In our cycling strategy, the BCCC recommends the Province invest $75 million per year in upgrading cycling facilities on Provincial highways and bridges as well as providing increased funding for cycling networks in communities around BC.

New Tool for mapping cycling issues locally

In this morning's Victoria Times Colonist I came across an article entitled "Safer cycling through mapping". The article is about a brand new web-based tool for mapping a variety of cycling-related issues in your local area (Bikemaps.org). Included in the issues are easy ways to track:

1.Danger spots,
2.Crashes,
3.Near Misses and
4.Bike Thefts.

The website, created by UVic Geographer Trisalyn Nelson, is designed to allow anyone to easily post information about cycling issues in their own local area.

I gave the website a try this morning and found it very easy to use. You can also share your information using social media. Interestingly the site also shows all cycling accidents in our local area that have been reported to ICBC. When you first access the website you are asked if you want to share your location with Bike Maps. If you click on Share, the program will go to your current location. There is a tutorial for the website and this also allows you to participate in the online forum.

RDN Rail Trail Open House

The Regional District of Nanaimo Recreation and Parks Department, with support from Koers & Associates Engineering Ltd, has prepared preliminary plans for approximately 10km of Rail Trail that will link Parksville with Coombs and with French Creek.  

You are invited to attend an Open House on the project.  This is a chance to see the preliminary plans and ask Parks staff and design consultants questions about the project.

When?    Thursday October 9^th, 2014 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Where?   Multi-purpose room, upstairs at Oceanside Place, 830 West Island Highway, Parksville.

 

For more information on the project visit

www.rdn.bc.ca/railtrail

Bike To Work Week Trophy presented to Town of Qualicum Beach

Congratulations to the Town of Qualicum Beach!

John Fair of the Oceanside Cycling Coalition presents the coveted Bike to Work Week trophy to Mayor Teunis Westbrook.
Qualicum Beach won the trophy back from Parksville by having more cyclists in the annual mayor’s ride during Bike To Work Week. The trophy will be on display at Qualicum Beach town hall until next year’s ride.

 

 

Cycle Tourism Conference opportunity

We hope to see you at VeloWorks September 17 and 18, The Pinnacle at the Pier, North Vancouver, BC.

You can register at: http://veloworks.orgThe BC Cycling Coalition is teaming up with VeloWorks to help move cycling forward in BC. If you are a BC CC member, please check the box on the form and $15 will be contributed to the BCCC. If you are not a BCCC member, please sign up at: http://bccc.bc.ca/membership

It’s been an exciting two years. Much has happened since Velo-city Global 2012 brought over 800 cycling experts to British Columbia. Cities across the Province are adopting cycling plans aimed at encouraging more people to cycle and continuing to improve cycling cycle networks with paths and separated bike lanes.

Tour de Rathtrevor

It's TOUR DE RATHTREVOR in support of Tour de Rock! Come ride a lap (or 20) around the campground...bring a couple dollars donations...and come see us at the Nature House to get your photo taken!!! Support a great cause...

Okanagan Rail Trail Video

This is a new video promoting the Okanagan Rail Trail between Kelowna and Vernon.

Click on the screenshot below to view the video.

Hello Rail Trailers,

We are happy to share with you a new and exciting support video!

Please watch it, share with your co-workers, friends, family and even strangers.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this film and an especially big thank you to the videographer and producers: Mike Benedeck, Angela Case and Ryan Tebbutt! These people graciously donated their time to make this video a reality.

Rail Trail Video Rail Trail Support Video

©2014 Okanagan Rail Trail | Okanagan Valley BC

Victoria Bike Master Plan

In today's Times Colonist the lead article was on the Cycling Master Plan recently completed by the City of Victoria. The City will commit $5 Million over the next 5 years to the plan. The Plan emphasized 3 major considerations:

1.Continuous safe protected routes
2. Education and
3. Political will and policy

Here is the link to the Plan and hopefully local politicians will be able to take the time to read it.

City of Victoria Master Bike Plan

Bike Theft in Nanaimo

Dear Cycling Friends

The Mid Island Velo Association storage container was broken into last night (July 22) and the clubs 6 Fuji youth bikes were stolen. The white bikes have red chains and all bikes have both a fixed sprocket and a freewheel. Two of the bikes are 43cm with 650c wheels.

Register early for Bike For Your Life and get a Discount

Bike For Your Life. Come out and support the event you love. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Bike For Your Life is on August 10th, 2014. Register early to save $10 on registration fee for singles.

Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour

Only 4 weeks until the 4^th annual Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour kicks off! This two day event is filled with multiple farm tours for all ages with routes ranging from 20 km to 45 km. The Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour provides cyclists with a unique opportunity to explore a wide variety of working farms in the beautiful Comox Valley. Below are the dates and routes that will be available rain or shine!

Bike For Your Life Volunteers needed

As you know, Bike For Your Life is happening August 10, 2014. Celebrating our 15^th anniversary. We could use your help on the day of the event. I’m hoping some of you will be willing and able to Marshal, help with set up and take-down, and also could use help once or twice for a couple of hours to staff one of our tables out in the community. Please let me know as soon as possible.

Thanks so much,

Ruby Berry

Volunteer Coordinator

Bike For Your Life 2014

    ruby@pedegoqb.ca

250-738-9333

Bicycle Helmet Standards

Local cyclist Len Gisbon has have created a link (Located at the bottom of this Post) which gives a comparative analysis of all internationally known regulatory standards on the subject of Bicycle Helmets. You may well see information that you didn’t know existed on the subject; review the Index listing.

Respecting the key point on the age of helmets- there is only one (1) standard - SNELL - that specifically mentions a date and that is five (5) years. All other standards emphasize “AFTER A CRASH” as the Replacement Interval.

Only buy/use a bicycle helmet manufactured to a known standard, wear it properly, and ride safely!

Regards,

Len

http://www.bhsi.org/stdcomp.htm