Bicicles: Stories About Winter Cycling

Join us at BikeWorks South on Friday March 23rd for an evening to (hopefully) look back at a season of winter cycling! The International Festival of Winter Cinema and Edmonton Bicycle Commuters are partnering to host a re-screening of Bicicles, a made in Calgary documentary about winter cycling, at BikeWorks South. Admission is pay-what-you-can, and includes all the popcorn you can eat. They said it was too cold, that it was only for the hardcore elites and the insane. Winter cycling, they declared, just isn’t something you do in Calgary. Despite the naysayers, hundreds of Calgarians put on their mittens and toques and pedal off to work every winter. From old to young, riding clunkers or high-end road bikes, cyclists in Calgary keep the bike lanes busy all year round.

“Bicicles” is a film celebrating those people who refuse to stop biking in the face of snow and sleet. Filmed during the winters of 2014 - 2016, the documentary follows four "brave" souls on their typical winter commute. Along with interviews with city councillors, business organizations and everyday cyclists, “Bicicles” explores how winter cycling is becoming mainstream in a city full of drivers.

Bicicles, The Documentry 8:00pm, Friday, March 23rd BikeWorks South 8001 102 Street

Link to Facebook event

https://vimeo.com/173569356

Department Store Bikes vs Quality Used Bikes

At BikeWorks, you can buy a good quality refurbished used bike for about the same price as the cheapest new bikes at a department store. A common question we get is "Why should I spend $150 on a used bike when I can get a new one for the same price?" Below are two bikes currently for sale at BikeWorks North. The gold CCM, brand new, was sold for $150 two years ago at a large department store chain. It has barely been ridden and is currently priced at $45. The navy blue Peugeot mountain bike has seen many miles since it was a brand new mid-range model in a bike shop in the late '80's. It has been fully tuned, with a new drive train, cables, bearings, rebuilt Deore derailleur and is priced at $145. So, why the difference?

Barely used department store bike.

An older but much better quality used bike

To produce a bike that can be sold for under $200 new, costs must be cut at every corner, and the cheapest possible parts are spec'd. The brakes, levers, pedals, and shifters are all plastic (let that sink in a moment - plastic). The derailleurs are so flimsy they won't stay in gear and will bend with little force, and the machine-built wheels' hubs are poorly adjusted while the rims often become wobbly during the first rides. Even brand new, the shifting is sloppy, the brakes are squishy, and there isn't much that can be done about it except installing better components. Despite the fact that the frame and rims are aluminum, this bike is a tank, coming in at around 40 pounds. Much of the extra weight is thanks to the spring loaded suspension fork, which doesn't suspend so much as it bounces, forever sucking forward momentum from the rider. Most of the parts on this quality of bike are only replaceable not repairable, and it's not a question of if they'll break as much as when they'll break. Because you can easily spend more than the original price of the bike servicing it and upgrading parts, most people treat these bikes as disposable and will buy a new one instead of fixing the old one.

Bikes should last for decades with regular maintenance. The used parts on the older Peugeot work well and can be repaired and rebuilt. The shifting is crisp, the braking strong and reliable. Even though it has a larger size steel frame, it is a full 15 pounds lighter than the CCM. Between the weight difference and lack of crappy boing-boing fork, the Peugeot is quicker & responsive, making it much more enjoyable to ride. It is more versatile, going on or off road, short or long distances, and it includes eyelets to mount racks & fenders for extra commuting comfort. We have also put more than $50 worth of new parts onto this bike, including chain, cassette, cables, and bearings so that it should run for a couple thousand kilometers before needing replacement parts, while the cheaper bike has its original but still used parts.

For somebody shopping for a new bike on which they will only pootle around the neighbourhood on weekends, the cheap department store model seems like a better deal than spending three to four times as much on an entry level bike shop bike. For short distances and occasional fair weather rides, the sluggishness of the ride and lack of durable components are not such a big deal. For somebody who plans on riding as transportation, daily (even if it's just on the nice days), who needs to go further than the corner store, and needs a bike they can rely on, the department store bike will soon disappoint, and may not be worth the trouble at any price. It will work, but it will never work that well, and though it is still safe to ride, riding a bike that works well is far more enjoyable, confidence inspiring, and will encourage you to ride more often.

*Update - Both of these bikes have sold already, but there are lots of other great used bikes to choose from at both BikeWorks locations!

BikeWorks Holiday Hours

BikeWorks South will be closed starting on Tuesday, December 22nd and will reopen on Monday, January 4th, 2016. BikeWorks North will be closed starting on Wednesday December 23rd and will reopen on Tuesday, January 5th, 2016. Have a wonderful holiday, and see you in the new year!

2015 EBC Volunteer Awards

Every year, EBC recognizes exceptional volunteers who contribute to creating a bike friendly city. The most difficult thing this year was to choose just four award winners out of a long list of worthy nominees who've lent their time, energy, and passion to BikeWorks, You Can Ride 2, The Spoke, promoting cycling, and making human-friendly streets a reality in Edmonton. All of EBC's programs depend on the generosity of volunteers, and in the past year, more than 150 volunteers have contributed over 6200 hours to BikeWorks alone. The following award recipients are but a few of the stand-outs we are honoured to work with.

• Keith McIsaac receives the Peter Pal Award for contributions to BikeWorks. Keith was one of the original volunteers who helped open BikeWorks North more than 3 years ago and has been an integral member of the north side team ever since. When BikeWorks North is open and busy, Keith can seemingly be at 3 places at once giving expert direction on bike repairs. After-hours, he spends considerable amounts of time organizing, cleaning, and improving the shop, doing so many of the important things that go overlooked and taken for granted, yet are vital to keeping the shop open. The passion for bicycles Keith brings to EBC also permeates the rest of his life, raising his family car-free, blogging, and participating in many group rides throughout the year.
• Michael O'Neill is the recipient of the Ian Helgesen Award for contributions to EBC and cycling in Edmonton. While completing his Master of Urban Planning at McGill University, Michael spent his summer interning for EBC in his hometown, compiling GIS data to help EBC better target its campaigns as well as providing detailed analysis and recommendations on the confounding Bicycle Bottleneck, one of the busiest bike intersections in the city. Not satisfied to work solely in the background, he also contributed significant time volunteering at BikeWorks South.
• Brendan Huynh and Thomas Dessein are the co-winners of the Dale Allsopp Award for contributions to BikeWorks. Being a regular BikeWorks volunteer can sometimes be challenging commitment. Brendan and Thomas share in common their consistent commitment as BikeWorks volunteers through the most challenging circumstances, keeping the shops open on Saturdays when the demand for service is highest and the volunteer pool has been the smallest.

  Relatively new to the BikeWorks team, Brendan rose to the task of being a key volunteer on many of the busiest shop days of the year, quickly learning the ropes, rapidly expanding his mechanical knowledge and immersing himself into many aspects of Edmonton cycling culture.

  Meanwhile at BikeWorks South, Thomas has been the rock solid foundation for the growth of the Saturday team. He greets the Saturday crowds with infinite patience and good humor, always diligent in making sure that everybody gets the advice and help they need. This past spring and summer was particularly challenging as a record number of people were using the shop but our volunteer base had not yet grown in stride, and Thomas played a huge part in helping EBC to meet the demand.

• Conrad Nobert receives the Jack Grainge Award for commitment to improving cycling in the broader community. A life long environmental activist, last fall he spearheaded the Edmonton Bike Coalition to raise Edmontonians' voices in favour of prioritizing active transportation in the face of a city budget that allocated $0 to its Active Transportation budget line. With more than 1100 citizens participating in the photomosaic campaign, the Edmonton Bike Coalition grabbed the attention of City Hall, helping convince councillors to vote unanimously in favor of funding a high quality bike route on 102 Ave and funding active transportation to the tune of 20 million dollars. Conrad continues to work towards a building a people-friendly city through a new group, Paths For People.

This year we received more nominations for awards than ever before, so we would like to give honourable mentions to the following individuals who have been indispensable to both EBC and the Edmonton cycling community:

• Candace Boettger: for her long term commitment in keeping the Women, Trans & Gender Non-Binary program at BikeWorks South going.
• Robert Clinton: for his continued contributions to BikeWorks North.
• Rob Drinkwater: for his long term volunteer commitment and being a shining light at BikeWorks North.
• Tim Fitzpatrick: for being an invaluable team member at BikeWorks South.
• Melanie Harris: for the outstanding skill sets she brings to You Can Ride Two, both as a physiotherapist and administrator.
• Aristotelis Kollias: for bringing so much hard work, passion, and fun to BikeWorks South.
• Glenn Kubish: for promoting cycling and outdoor living with #coffeeoutside and other initiatives.
• Julie Kusiek: for being one of the driving forces behind Queen Alexandra Crossroads.
• Nancy Milakovic: for being a dedicated volunteer both at BikeWorks North and on the EBC board.
• Jan Przysiezniak: for so much hard work helping BikeWorks South patrons, mentoring volunteers, building & maintaining the shops, and creative thinking.
• Jay Smith: for her perspective on so many facets of cycling and active transportation in her Metro column.
• Nathan Treloar: for taking on the big job of keeping The Spoke going.
• Peter Verboom: for so often making himself available to pick up the slack at BikeWorks South, and now BikeWorks North as well.

Thank-you all.

Winter Cycling Workshops

Are you ready to keep cycling through the winter? It's really not that difficult, and it can be pretty fun.  EBC can help you with some of the finer points like: What should you do if you hit a patch of ice? How will you protect yourself from the elements? What modifications will you need to make to your bike? Sign up for our Winter Cycling Workshop on October 24th to learn this and more. You can also make your own studded tires to maximize your traction on winter roads at our DIY Tire Studding Workshop on November 7th or on November 14th. Register today as space is limited.

2014 EBC Annual General Meeting - Sunday September 28th

Both BikeWorks locations will be closed on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 for our Annual General Meeting, happening from 1pm-3pm at Ritchie Community Hall (7727 98 St). Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be presenting our annual awards for contributions to EBC and the larger cycling community. If you know someone who deserves recognition for volunteering with EBC or enriching cycling culture in Edmonton, please nominate them today!

Our President and Treasurer will present their reports to the membership, we will present our Annual Report, and vote on bylaw amendments and next year’s budget. We will also be having elections to fill several positions on the Board of Directors. If you are interested in helping to set the direction of our growing organization, or know someone that can lead us towards a better city for cycling and walking, please visit our nominations page.

The EBC Board proposes the following changes to the 2013 EBC Bylaw, which can be found at http://www.edmontonbikes.ca/w/Bylaws_(2013):

Current wording of 2013 EBC Bylaw, Section 'Election of the Board of Directors' (b) - The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members in good standing, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member in good standing who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Proposed changes (highlighted) - The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members in good standing, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member in good standing who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Proposed final wording: The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall present the names of the all nominees, who are members, which have been submitted to the committee for consideration at the AGM. Any member may nominate from the floor any member who is present at the meeting, or who has indicated in writing his/her willingness to serve.

Definition of "in good standing" - Regular Members who have been members for at least one calendar month and any honorary members shall be considered members in good standing. A regular member who has lapsed for no more than six months shall also be considered a member in good standing immediately upon payment of their dues.

Rationale: An edit to the bylaws was brought forward to the AGM in 2013 to propose opening the opportunity to nominate to the board those who may not be current members, either in that their current membership has elapsed or they have recently purchased a membership, and wish to be more involved. As it stands several members nominated to the board in the past have inadvertently violated this clause.

At the AGM in 2013 the previously proposed wording left some members concerned about the potential for a 'hostile takeover,' or having a majority group purchase memberships the day of the AGM and nominate their own candidates to the board. The wording proposed at the 2014 AGM would continue to give voting power to only members in good standing (as per Election of the Board of Directors (d): All members in good standing who are present at the AGM shall be eligible to vote.), thus minimizing the opportunity for a day-of takeover.

If you have any questions or concerns about this proposed change in advance of the AGM please contact Kristen Flath, Director of Policy, and kristen.flath@edmontonbikes.ca.

Winter Cycling Workshops

Want to learn how to cycle through the winter in comfort, safety and style? How about making your own studded tires to chew on all that ice? Check out EBC's winter cycling workshops! Thursday November 14th, 6:30PM at BikeWorks South

Everything you ever wanted to know about winter cycling:

Whether you are new to cycling in winter or an experienced snow rider, come & join in on this workshop to learn how to keep riding your bike through the winter in comfort, safety, style and fun. Learn about the many clothing options you have, riding techniques, gear, maintenance techniques and accessories that will keep you rubber side down. We'll also talk about about how to deal with some of the psychological aspects of winter cycling that you might expect and some you wouldn't. With a panel of 3 experienced winter riders with wildly divergent styles, you're sure to get some advice that works with your lifestyle. Register by emailing courses@edmontonbikes.ca. Cost is $10 for EBC members and $15 for non-members.

Thursday November 21st, 6:30PM at BikeWorks South and Friday November 22nd at BikeWorks North

Tire Studding Workshop:

Making your own studded tires will save you money and help you grip the snowy roads this season. This is a hands-on session to prepare a studded tire for winter cycling. Learn how to put sheet metal screws into your tire and add a layer to protect your tube from being popped by the screw heads.  We’ll discuss how the studded tire works for you and whether you should do one or both tires.Bring your own tires, buy some used ones from BikeWorks or buy new ones. Tire cost is extra (i.e. not included in course fee, but most used tires cost just $5).  Screws will be provided. Cost: $15 for EBC members, $20 for non-members Register by emailing courses@edmontonbikes.ca.  Please indicate which session (Thursday or Friday) you'd prefer.

BikeWorks South Last Day is Wednesday October 30th

You have one last chance to work on your bike at BikeWorks South. Wednesday, October 30th, from 6pm-9pm is the last day Bikeworks South will be open to the public. After that, you will have to rely on BikeWorks North for all your repair needs, at least until we open a new BikeWorks South location early this coming spring. We have so much gratitude for everybody who's supported us over the years. Thank-you for your help, your patronage, your donations, and everything else that has kept us going for the last 13+ years! BikeWorks has been a huge success thanks to hundreds of volunteers and thousands of cyclists who have chosen to make their local community bike shop part of their life, and we are looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Ride on Friends!

BikeWorks South Closing Out Bash

After 13 plus years, the end is near for BikeWorks South, at least in its current incarnation. We'll be having a grand ol' party on October 25 starting at 7pm to celebrate the success and growth we've had at BikeWorks South. You are invited; we'll be taking donations to fundraise to help us re-open in a new location.

Food and beverages will be served. Music and dancing will rock. Chatting and lounging will take place. There will be an auction of some unique goods and services and a race of ridiculous bikes. With the shop closing for good on October 30th, this will be one of your last chances to hang out in our old space.

You can also dress up in your Halloween costume and Hallows' Eve-it-up.

If you have anything to contribute to the fundraiser (auction items, food, DJ skills, bike racer, etc.), please contact us at info@edmontonbikes.ca.

Alcohol will be available with ID. EBC members and guests only. If you haven't renewed your EBC membership lately, there will be memberships for sale at the door.

BikeWorks South Closing Out Sale

All yard bikes will be tagged with exceptionally low prices (50% off what we'd usually charge for them).Used Parts (except for parts in cabinet) are 50% off. All New Parts are 10% off All kids' bikes are $5 each (unless otherwise tagged)

BikeWorks South is getting ready to move, but we'd rather sell the used bikes and parts we have instead of storing them for the winter, so we're selling them off cheap!

Stop by any time we're open and check out the huge selection of bikes and parts and say farewell to our longtime home.

BikeWorks South hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 6pm-9pm Saturday & Sunday 1pm-5pm Closed Monday October 14th for Thanksgiving.

Ride the Trail for Elizabeth

Join Edmund Aunger, husband of Elizabeth Sovis, as he bikes across Canada. He'll be at the Hawrelak Park Pedestrian Bridge at approximately 2pm on Sunday, August 25, and bike to a rally at the Alberta Legislature at 3pm in support for a safer Trans-Canada Trail. Cyclists, supporters, family and friends will ride in solidarity to show support for Ride the Trail for Elizabeth, a cross country campaign to raise awareness and promote the completion of a Trans-Canada Trail that will be accessible and safe for cyclists.

Elizabeth Ann Sovis got on her first bike at the age of 50 and immediately fell in love. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Elizabeth, alongside her husband Edmund A. Aunger, would spend their summers cycling the Trail. Though the Trans-Canada Trail was not always smooth, Elizabeth passionately believed in the Trail and wanted to devote her retirement to getting the Trail properly developed and completed - ensuring accessibility and safety for cyclists. On July 14th, 2012 while Edmund and Elizabeth were biking along the Trail in Prince Edward Island, Elizabeth was struck and killed by a drunk driver. She was 63.

Survived by her husband and her three sons, Edmund S. Aunger, Richard Aunger and Gregory Aunger, Elizabeth’s dream of a safer Trans-Canada Trail lives on. Edmund Aunger has carried on his beloved wife’s vision and started the Ride the Trail for Elizabeth campaign. A campaign that will see Edmund cycle across the country in five stages each summer, beginning the first leg of his journey on July 1st, 2013 in Victoria, British Columbia and finishing in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on July 2017.

Edmund will be arriving in Edmonton on Sunday August 25, 2013 marking the completion of his first leg. We invite you to join Edmund on the steps of the Alberta Legislature on Sunday afternoon at 3pm as we rally in support for a safer Trans-Canada Trail. More importantly, we invite you to celebrate the completion of Edmund’s first leg, the power of a united cycling community and the realization of Elizabeth’s dream. We hope to see you there. Ride on.

Please join Ed on his ride. He will be leaving Devon around 9am, cycling on Highway 19, and then into Edmonton, Trans Canada Trail from Terwilliger to Hawrelak Park. He will be leaving the Hawrelak Park pedestrian bridge about 2pm and continuing to the Alberta Legislature for a 3pm rally, followed by a ride to the Trans-Canada Trail head in Louise McKinney Park.

For more info: http://www.ridethetrail.ca

The Care and Feeding of English 3 Speeds

Curious about how Sturney Archer 3 speeds work? Maybe you have one of these wonderful inventions and would like to learn how to keep it working for a lifetime? On Monday, April 15th, 6:30-9:30PM, EBC will present this in depth class that will cover everything you ever wanted to know about Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs and old school English bicycles. Your host will be 3 speed expert Keith Hallgren. This class costs $20 for EBC members & $25 for non-members. Current EBC volunteers can take this class for free. To reserve your spot, pre-register by emailing courses@edmontonbikes.ca.

Wanna Learn How to Fix Bikes?

At BikeWorks, there are many ways you can learn how to fix bicycles. If you want to start with the basics, check out our Introduction to Bike Maintenance on Friday March 1st. To register, email courses@edmontonbikes.ca. You can also volunteer at BikeWorks helping other people with their bikes or fixing up bikes for EBC to sell. You don't need mechanical experience to volunteer, and volunteers are eligible for free classes, including a 7 week comprehensive mechanics course. Our next volunteer orientations are on Thursday March 7th and Monday March 11th. Email volunteer@edmontonbikes.ca for more information.

Feature image courtesy Tommervik Paintings (http://tommervik.com) (Tommervik on Facebook)

BikeWorks South is Back in Business!

Good news! The pipe has been fixed and water has been restored to BikeWorks South. We will be open our regular business hours of Saturday & Sunday from 1-5pm and Wednesday from 6-9pm, so stop by and get valuable bicycle advice from our awesome volunteers as well as checking out some sweet bikes. BikeWorks North will also be open this Saturday & Sunday (February 9th & 10th) from 1-5pm before switching back to regular hours next week.

BikeWorks South Temporarily Closed

BikeWorks South (10047 80 Ave) will be closed until further notice due to a burst water pipe. Please check back for updates, as we hope to up and running again in a few days. In the meantime, please visit us at BikeWorks North 9305-111 Ave for all your community bike shop needs! BikeWorks North will be open Wednesday & Thursday from 6pm-9pm, and  Saturday & Sunday from 1pm-5pm.

BikeWorks Holiday Hours

Both BikeWorks locations will be closed from Monday, December 24th through Wednesday, January 2nd. We wish all of our volunteers, clients and the greater cycling community in Edmonton a Happy Holiday. Looking forward to seeing you in the new year!

Jingle Ride

Thursday December 13th, 7-9pm Starts at BikeWorks South (10047 80 Ave - access through alley only)

Deck your bikes with LED's... Join us for a casual winter ride to check out some of the most spectacular light displays in Edmonton, followed by hot drinks & skating. There will also be a prize for the best decorated bike.

Be sure to dress for the weather, bring a hot beverage and a snack if you like, and don't forget your skates!

Retroreflective Craft Night

Being visible doesn't have to mean looking like you're doing highway construction. Drop in to EBC on Monday December 10th and add retroreflective trim & designs to your favourite riding clothes that will help keep you visible through those long winter nights and make accessories for yourself and your bike that can't be missed. Bring clothing you want to embellish (cotton & other natural fibers work best), design ideas & inspiration, accessories you want to turn shiny, and things you want to turn into shiny accessories. A little retroreflective sumtin-sumtin makes a great gift for the cyclists in your life. This will give you an idea of the type of things we'll be creating: Retroreflective Goodness

Pre-register by emailing courses@edmontonbikes.ca. You can come for an hour, or stay all evening. Cost is $5 for EBC members and $10 for non-members, and covers as much re-purposed retroreflective material as you can use as well as other craft supplies. Imagine a basket decorated with retroreflective flowers, or a row of retroreflective magnets on a steel frame, handlebar, or fender. Or howabout a patch on your jacket, skirt or pants that can be seen a mile away? Only your imagination will limit how you use the high tech materials.