urbanecyclist

THE AREA CYCLING COALITION QUARTERLY www.vacc.bc.ca

Making cycling an integral part of Metro Vancouver’s transportation culture SUMMER 2010 #45

In this issue: Celebrate Bike Month with the VACC Bike To Work! urbanecyclist

Opening the to Cycling: Councilor Ellen Wordsworth, Mayor Robertson and Arno Schortinghuis. Photo by Jean Chong

Published quarterly by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC). The views in this publication are not necessarily those of the VACC

vacc.bc.ca

MANAGING EDITOR: Rob Brownie New Advisory Group Connects COPY EDITORS: Ulrike Rodrigues, Arno Schortinghuis DESIGN: Chris Bentzen | thisisplanb.net Cyclists and Municipalities COVER ART: Andrea Rodgers | andrearodgersdesign.com Central advocacy council will VACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Arno Schortinghuis, President strengthen local bike committees What would you like to see the Advocacy Jack Becker by Rob Brownie Advisory Council accomplish in 2010? Colin Brander We plan to develop an online archive which Rob Brownie The Urbane Cyclist asks VACC President could be used to store advocacy documents, Gwendal Castellan Ivan Chow Arno Schortinghuis for details. Arno has letters and meeting minutes. We will Ken Ohrn been a major contributor to the on-going attempt to get active committees formed development of VACC programs and throughout Metro Vancouver. And we will VACC OFFICE advocacy campaigns. ramp up our advocacy efforts by having Sean McKibben, Director of Programs Kathy Sinclair, Office Manager focused campaigns on key issues. The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition FOUNDING MEMBER now has an “Advocacy Advisory What are the biggest challenges facing Cycling Coalition Council.” Why was this set up? the VACC in the coming year? Member of the (Canadian) Coalition for Active Living www.activeliving.ca In 2008, the VACC invited participants To engage more volunteers – especially in from throughout Metro Vancouver to the suburban municipalities. MEET US attend a workshop where it was decided The VACC Board meetings are open to all interested that a central advocacy body would be How can readers get involved in the in bicycling in . We generally meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm important. In 2009 the VACC formally AAC or VACC campaigns? Phone 604 878 8222 for details. established the Advocacy Advisory Council Good question! If you (dear reader) are [email protected] and thanks to all those who have helped interested in improving cycling in Metro form the AAC and move it forward. Vancouver, participate in the advocacy INTERNET Keep up on the latest cycling issues and events. Join committee meetings in your area, call our one of our e-mail lists at www.vacc.bc.ca/lists What are the goals of the Advocacy office at 604-878-8222 or visit the Advocacy Advisory Council? section of our website at www.vacc.bc.ca GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? To ensure that local advocacy committees We welcome articles of 400 words or less about cycling in Greater Vancouver. exist in all parts of Metro Vancouver, to IN RECOGNITION: Submissions may be sent to Urbane Cyclist: help local committees by sharing common The VACC Board of Directors [email protected] information and providing centralized would like to extend their gratitude support, and to address advocacy issues to Leslie Love for her many years of We reserve the right to edit dedication as Editor and Designer submissions for clarity and length. that span municipal boundaries. of The Urbane Cyclist! Thank you! urbanecyclist NEXT ISSUE OF URBANE CYCLIST: 2 | SUMMER 2010 #45 September 2010 Ring Your Local Cycling Hotline

HOTLINE NUMBER LIST SURREY by Karen Larsen Keep this handy for future reference!! CITY BICYCLE COORDINATOR: 604-591-4214 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING INQUIRIES (ROADS/ SIDEWALK/CYCLING): 604-591-4853 Several municipalities in Metro Use this list to check out some of the CITY ENGINEERING: 604-591-4431 Vancouver have Bicycle Hotlines that hotline, service numbers and cycling ROAD & SIGN MAINTENANCE: 604-590-7250 provide service information for cyclists. maps and related web pages of different TRAFFIC LIGHT PROBLEMS: 604-591-4338 Depending on the municipality, you municipalities in the lower Mainland. NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-599-0502 can either call the hotline or the civic The local non-emergency police NORTH VANCOUVER engineering department to report numbers are also listed. TO REPORT A POTHOLE: [email protected] potholes to be filled, glass on a bikeway, BIKE ROUTES: www.cnv.org/c//data/3/268/ or fallen trees. You can also ask for Bicycle%20Master%20Plan%20Map.pdf VANCOUVER REQUEST A BIKE RACK ON CITY PROPERTY: updates on cycling related issues such BICYCLE HOTLINE: 604-871-6070 [email protected]. as new bike routes, maps, and current (or 311 within the city limits) NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-985-1311 bicycle projects. BIKE ROUTES: www.vancouver.ca/engsvcs/ Keep in mind that the hotlines transport/cycling/index.htm WEST VANCOUVER NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-717-3321 ROUTE MAINTENANCE: 604-925-7101 are not for emergencies! If you want NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-925-7300 to report an unsafe motorist, call the BURNABY police. Try to give as much information BICYCLE HOTLINE AND ROUTE COQUITLAM as possible to help the police track down MAINTENANCE REQUESTS: 604-294-7441 CITY SWITCHBOARD: 604-927-3000 BIKE ROUTES: www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/ BIKE ROUTES: www.coquitlam.ca/default.htm the dangerous driver. If the situation admin/AssetFactory.aspx?vid=9051 NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-927-6400 was a near miss, call the non-emergency NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-294-7922 police number to report the motorist. DELTA Dial 911 in case of an emergency. COQUITLAM BICYCLE HOTLINE: 604-946-3260 CITY SWITCHBOARD: 604-927-3000 ROUTE MAINTENANCE: 604-946-3245 Translink has a great website with BIKE ROUTES: www.coquitlam.ca/default.htm BIKE ROUTES: www.corp.delta.bc.ca/ cycling maps and a handy route planner NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-927-6400 assets/engineering/pdf/alt_trans. for all local municipalities: pdf#search=%22cycling%20map%22 www.translink.ca/en/Cycling/ LANGLEY NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-946-4411 STREET MAINTENANCE: 604-514-2825 Cycling-Routes.aspx NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-514-2870 RICHMOND CYCLING HOTLINE: 604-276-4035 ROUTE MAINTENANCE AND STREET SWEEPING: 604- 244-1262 REPORT VEHICLES PARKED IN A BIKE LANE TO RCMP: ONE STRONG VOICE! 604-278-1212 BIKE ROUTES: www.richmond.ca/cycling NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-278-1212 Help us get Metro Vancouver’s Cycling Infrastructure up to speed! NEW WESTMINISTER Sign-up for or renew your VACC membership and for an extra ROUTE MAINTENANCE: 604-526-4691 $10 get a one year subscription to Momenum Magazine! BICYCLE RACK LOCATION: 604-527-4592 momentumplanet.com/onestrongvoice NON-EMERGENCY POLICE: 604-525-5411

urbanecyclist SUMMER 2010 #45 | 3 Cycling Together for Bike Month VACC and BEST Join Forces

by Rob Brownie Safe Cycling Promotion in bus shelters courses throughout May and June. A and through postering This year Bike to Work Week will full schedule can be found in the Bike once again take place during June Bike Education page of the VACC website. Safety Flashcards will be handed to Month. It is all part of an effort by The VACC will be supplying drivers who exercise safe and courteous the VACC and organizers at BEST bike valet parking for opening/closing driving practices (safe cycling tips will be (Better Environmentally Sustainable events and will be organizing a ride to listed on the reverse) Transportation) to strengthen their MEC BikeFest during Velopalooza. shared goal to get more people riding Steve Beck of BEST sent us a list An online Best Routes to School their bikes for work and pleasure safely of events he has been coordinating in resource is under construction and and with confidence. preparation for Bike Month and here should be available in time for In addition to our popular Bike To are the highlights: Bike Month. Work Week events (see Erin’s article on the opposite page) the VACC will continue Clean Commuter Breakfast For further information about these to offer weekly Streetwise Cycling Skills Wednesday, May 2nd (details tba) BEST initiatives you can visit their website at www.best.bc.ca Headwinds | Tailwinds

Headwinds From by Peter Stary Port Coquitlam has narrowed Riding safely on the new Kingsway Avenue at the south foot separated bike route on Dunsmuir Viaduct. of the new Photo by Jack Becker without leaving adequate space or providing an alternative route for be better if those involved rode bikes Tailwinds cyclists. This has spoiled an informal rather than taking transit or driving To The City of Vancouver and practical east-west bike route to the Animal Rescue operation in by Jack Becker across Port Coquitlam. Burnaby where they would be working Congratulations to City of Vancouver staff for three weeks for the two-way bike lanes on Dunsmuir Tailwinds Viaduct with separation from car traffic. To Katimavik and Karina Stickle Following a Craigslist plea for bikes, by Ron Richings VACC member Ron Richings was able Vancouver staff should be Katimavik is a federal youth work to lend them four, with several more from congratulated for their excellent program (which I had thought ended various other sources. And indeed they work with respect to cycling during long ago – but no !). The coordinator rode back and forth through February the Olympics, except for the Seaside of one project thought that it would – slowly at first but with increasing stretch from Nelson to Quebec and on urbanecyclist 4 | SUMMER 2010 #45 confidence and speed as time passed. to 3rd Ave. Bike To Work Keeps On Growing

Program Manager Erin O’Melinn shows us the numbers

I joined the VACC as the Bike to Work Program Manager in February 2009 and people get a little confused when I tell them what my job is: “I bike to work.” Then they ask, “But what do you do once you get to work?” I tell them getting people to cycle to their jobs is my job – and one I enjoy a lot! Erin brakes with style on the way to work. I am very happy to be involved in Photo by Bill Hamilton promoting awareness, education and motivation to help transition people into using healthy, sustainable and fun Since 2007, Bike To Work How can you get involved? transportation. has recorded: Help us collect route data before the • 3,808 new commuter cyclists event, set up commuter station and In 2009, Bike To Work: • 1,426 new winter commuter cyclists celebration sites during the event, and • Set up 9 new commuter stations • 77,938 trips by bike in event collect data after the event. To learn (for a total of 61) weeks alone more, visit: • Welcomed 4 new participating • a 39% increase in Bike to Work www.biketoworkmetrovan.ca municipalities (for a total of 11) registrants email us at [email protected] • Staged 2 additional “Share the • a 54% increase in Bike to Work teams or call 604-878-8222. Road Challenges” (with 11 out of • a 102% increase in cyclists at 14 cyclists winning over personal commuter stations IN RECOGNITION: vehicles and transit in terms of time, The VACC Board of Directors cost, and enjoyment) For 2010’s Spring Bike to Work Week would like to honour the incredible work of Sean McKibben, our • Generated over 120 instances of (May 31 – June 6) we expect up to 8,000 tireless Director of Programs. Sean media coverage around the region registered participants and at least 800 has managed a massive expansion • Presented 37 Workplace Workshops, new commuter cyclists! Plus we will be of the VACC organization over increasing safety and skill awareness working even closer with the Bike to the past couple of years. We wish Sean all the best as he heads back to in employers and employees School program to include students of all England with this family! ages this spring.

urbanecyclist SUMMER 2010 #45 | 5 TO BECOME INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT: Burnaby: Luis 604 431-6658 Delta: Carol 604 943-3412 Langley: Dan Millsip / Richard Edge [email protected] Metro Vancouver: [email protected] Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows: [email protected] New Westminster: Andrew 604 521-2742 North Shore: [email protected] Bikes on Transit: Jack 604 681-5744 Surrey/White Rock: [email protected] Tri-Cities: Alexi [email protected] Vancouver/UBC: [email protected]

Who to write about issues in Urbane Cyclist:

Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier PO Box 9041 STN PROV GOVT Victoria BC V8W 9E1 Phone: 250 387-1715 Fax: 250 387-0087 Vancouver’s Velopalooza [email protected]

Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation Festival Ready To Roll PO Box 9055 by Ron Richings and Terry Lowe STN PROV GOVT Victoria BC V8W 9E2 Phone: 250 387-1978 Fax: 250 356-2290 Have you ever wanted to guide your Velopalooza Finale: a Sunday afternoon [email protected] own bike ride? Share your knowledge bike festival in Strathcona Park. City of Burnaby – Mayor Derek Corrigan & Council of Vancouver’s best bakeries? Are you an Use your knowledge of the city 4949 Canada Way historian who’d like to do an architecture and the interesting spots that cyclists Burnaby BC V5G 1M2 Phone: 604 294-7340 Fax: 604 294-7724 appreciation ride? A locavore who knows might want to visit to create and lead a [email protected] where to gather indigenous food? Or do you Velopalooza ride! just fancy an old-fashioned pub crawl – by It’s very simple to set up – go City of New Westminster – Mayor Wayne Wright 511 Royal Avenue bike, of course? to the Velopalooza website at New Westminster BC V3L 1H9 You can play an important role velopalooza.ca and you will find an Phone: 604 527-4522 Fax: 604 527-4594 in the new Velopalooza festival. easy to use online form that will put City of Vancouver – Mayor Gregor Robertson & Council Inspired by Portland’s wildly successful your ride on the calendar. 453 West 12th Avenue Pedalpalooza festival (see shift2bikes. Planning for the “Week of Bike Fun” Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4 Phone: 604 873-7621 Fax: 604 873-7685 org), Vancouver’s own Velopalooza is underway, and many volunteers (and [email protected] starts June 4, 2010, just before VACC’s ride leaders!) are still needed – contact Bike To Work Week wraps up June 6. [email protected] if you are able to TransLink – Chair Dale Parker & Board of Directors 1600-4720 Kingsway The fun will begin with a Friday help. You can also join the Velopalooza Burnaby, BC V5H 4N2 night kickoff party at the WISE Hall, Facebook group at: Phone: 604 453-4500 Fax: 604 453-4626 www.translink.bc.ca continue throughout the following tinyurl.com/velopalooza week, and conclude June 13 with the Hope to see you at Velopalooza! vacc.bc.ca for more contact information. urbanecyclist 6 | SUMMER 2010 #45 COMMUNITY PROFILES Busy Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Committee Wins Award by Andrew Cuthbert The MRPC committee has • The Bridge been diligent in providing volunteers Opening Ceremony Just over a year old, the Maple Ridge and info booths for events, helping – Pitt Meadows Cycling (MRPC) staff bike valet tents in partnership The committee’s agenda for the coming committee has already seen numerous with B.E.S.T., and participating in year includes maintaining their presence accomplishments. The initial goal numerous events: at public events and raising awareness to was to raise awareness of cycling by • The Silver Valley Spring Festival promote cycling for better health. participating in local events. This has • Earth Day been a great success and the committee • Canada Day Celebrations Getting Involved: has done so much in their first year • Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows To learn more about the MRPC that they have been awarded the Home Show committee and to get involved, Golden Spoke Award by the area’s • Pitt Meadows Day e-mail Ivan Chow at Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). • Bike to Local Farmers Market Day [email protected] • VACC’s Inaugural Great Ride Big Improvements in New Westminster by Marion Orser and Fulton Tom route from the New Westminster Quay How you can help: to Vancouver or Coquitlam! • Attend meetings, workshops, and open We are pleased to announce that This year the City is planning houses to ensure the currently planned the City of New Westminster now to complete the London Street Bike Greenway waterfront developments has a Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Route. A particularly difficult section lead to a high quality route, similar to Committee (PBAC). Andrew Feltham is at 22nd Street, where London Sapperton Landing Park, with separate is the official VACC representative on Street is off-set and where a new retail cycling and pedestrian routes. the committee. development is expected to increase • Attend monthly VACC-NW After years of effort, improvements vehicle traffic and conflicts with cyclists. meetings and work with the current to cycling infrastructure are taking The VACC-NW also envisions active members. place! The City of New Westminster changes this year to the Transportation • Write Mayor and Council with a cc to the is developing Westminster Pier Park, Plan to include more cycle friendly routes VACC-NW when you have concerns. a critical component of the Brunette- connecting Uptown and Downtown that • Provide input via email to the Fraser Regional Greenway. This route cyclists of any ability can use. VACC-NW discussion list. was part of the original concept for • Send an action request form to the the now completed Central Valley VACC-NW’s immediate goals: City when you note deficiencies and Greenway (CVG). New Westminster is • Ensure that the signage around the needed repairs on cycling routes also in the final stages of completing its is completed. For additional information on our first official bicycle map. • Ensure that all new infrastructure is goals and successes, check out the The Province of BC has made bicycle and pedestrian friendly. A VACC-NW web page at: funding available for a greenway recent example where this did not www.vacc.bc.ca/advocacy/ between Hope and the mouth of the take place was the 5th Street and 5th advocacy.php?pageID=17#new urbanecyclist . Just imagine a flat bike Ave intersection. SUMMER 2010 #45 | 7 VACC Membership Benefits

NEW! Discount Plan at Metro Bike Stores In partnership with bike stores throughout your discounts and get your card stamped Shop (N. Van), Ride On Bikes (Van), Reckless Metro Vancouver, when you join the (check our website often as participating bike Bike Stores (Van), Steed Cycles (N. Van) VACC, you will get THREE one-time stores and businesses are updated all the time: discounts or special offers per year at any www.vacc.bc.ca/membership) Plus… of the participating stores below: Get Discounts on Services provided by: Bike Doctor (Van/Burnaby), Bikes on the Co-operative Auto Network, Zip Car, Green DISCOUNT 1: 5% off a new bike Drive (Van), Dream Cycle (Van), Different Zebra, David Hay of Richards Buell Sutton LLP DISCOUNT 2: up to 10% off a tune-up/service Bikes (Van/N. Van/W. Van), Experience DISCOUNT3: 15% off accessories Cycling (Maple Ridge), Local Ride (Maple Plus… Ridge) Maple Ridge Cycles (Maple Ridge), Take your new VACC Membership card into Mighty Riders (Van), Obsession Cycles (N. Get a Discount on a One-Year one of the following bike stores to redeem Van), O’Hagan’s Cycles (Surrey), On Top Bike Subscription to Momentum Magazine

We would like to thank the following corporate members for directly funding the publication of the Urbane Cyclist: Life Cycle, Giant Bicycles, C-Media Outdoor (or Urban Racks) and Vancouver Coastal Health

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ADDRESS  Corporate/Organization $150  Additional Donations $ CITY The Vancouver/UBCPOSTAL CODE (Tax Receipt available if over $100) PHONE NUMBER Committee Total Enclosed: I would like to get the Urbane Cyclist Newsletter  by e-mail (to save paper) $  I need or prefer it by mail

I would like to volunteer with the VACC  yes Please mail this form and a cheque (payable to Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition) to: I can contribute by: VACC Memberships (please note your skills) PO Box 47068, RPO City Square Vancouver, BC V5Z 4L6