Bikes in the news - November 2014

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Edmonton Journal

Opinion: Lessons in how Memphis changed its tune

Todd Babiak

In 2009, that city boldly invested in bicycle infrastructure — the “greenline.” It wasn’t an easy decision. Some city councillors, like Reid Hedgepeth, were entirely opposed. He lost the vote. Or did he?

“On a scale of one to 10, I think the greenline turned out to be a 12. I’ve never been so wrong in my life,” Hedgepeth told the Memphis Daily News in 2011. “Two years ago, I didn’t own a bicycle. Nobody in my family owned a bicycle.”

The economic benefits, in only a few years, have been astounding. Street-level retail has gone up along with startup economic development in core “clusters” and other highly accessible areas that have bicycle and transit links. Why? People in cars, keen to stop on Memphis versions of Whyte Avenue and 124th Street, find somewhere else to park. That’s what they do, always.

And why do they go to these main streets? The harder it is to park, the better the neighbourhood. Main streets are nice places for walking. Humans like walking.

(Read the full story at edmontonjournal.com)

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Edmonton Journal

Opinion: Quality infrastructure will pay dividends

Conrad Nobert

According to a report from the Edmonton Community Foundation, the number of Albertans aged 15 to 24 who hold a driver’s licence fell from 90 per cent in 1991 to 75 per cent in 2012. Young Edmontonians are increasingly choosing to drive less and are looking for other alternatives. High-quality bike routes drastically reduce car-bike collisions, and they will help to protect a generation that is choosing new ways to move.

(Read the full story at edmontonjournal.com)

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Edmonton Journal

City council gains a “crazy” winter biker

Elise Stolte

“A year ago, I would have thought anyone who biked in the winter was crazy,” [Ward 1 City Councillor Andrew Knack] said.

“But I’ve been walking for the last six years in the middle of winter, and guess what, it was just fine. Why would biking be any different? Make sure I’m bundled up and make sure I have the right winter gear on the bike.

…

It takes him 40 minutes on mostly river valley trails in the summer. On Wednesday and Thursday this week, that stretched to 50 minutes, about the same amount of time it would take him on the bus.

On Friday, he need the car to meet up with his wife and realized again how painful traffic congestion could be. It took him 55 minutes from his door to city hall.

(Read the full story at edmontonjournal.com)

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Metro News

University of Alberta graduate students create technology that stops special needs children’s bikes in emergencies

Stephanie Dubois

Putting their engineering backgrounds to good use, graduate students Michael Leitch, Tamran Lengyel and Nicolas Olmedo are working with You Can Ride Two, a program that helps children with cognitive disabilities learn to ride and offer adapted bikes on a loan system.

In their Make Something Edmonton post, the team of engineers say the technology will allow kids who have limited mobility in their fingers to pull the traditional bike lever or if “they are strong enough to propel themselves on the bike at great speeds but do not have the cognitive capacity to stop in an emergency” be able to ride with their families.

(Read the full story at metronews.ca)

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Metro News

Edmonton Bike Coalition photo mosaic growing as city hall event nears

Stephanie Dubois

Support is continuing to grow for proper bike infrastructure in Edmonton, as 1,100 photos have been submitted to the Edmonton Bike Coalition for their photo mosaic.

The group is advocating for city council to dedicate around $7 million each year, for the next four years to develop safe bike infrastructure. Their photo mosaic, set to be unveiled at city hall on Nov. 20, shows what coalition members think is a strong, but silent majority through photos of Edmontonians.

(Read the full story at metronews.ca)