Bike Edmonton Fundraiser 2020 – Gearing up for the Future

The Bike Edmonton Fundraiser has a wide range of fun perks to choose from! By contributing to this fundraiser, you can treat yourself or buy a gift for someone else while supporting cycling in Edmonton!

Despite having a rocky spring, Bike Edmonton has a plan to flourish, becoming even more effective, and ensure that we can continue our essential services in these challenging times! Please consider contributing to our success. Together, we'll help build resilience in the city with affordable, healthy, fun bicycles! Visit our fundraising page for more information or to contribute!  https://apps.bikeedmonton.ca/civicrm/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo&reset=1&id=247

COVID-19 Update for May

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our workshops are operating by appointment-only for bike & parts sales and service.

If you are looking to buy a bike, please browse our selection of tuned-up bikes online and book an appointment for a test ride.

For parts and accessories, visit our online store. You can pay online and pick up your purchase at the shop.

For emergency repairs & service, please visit our service appointment page. We are also working towards creating an appointment system for for do-it-yourself and drop-off repairs.

We are still accepting donations at our Downtown location. Please visit our donations page for guidelines before coming, as we cannot accept all donations, and check our hours for receiving donations.

Please contact us directly if you need advice, used parts, or anything bike-related that you don’t see in the online store. We’ll do our best under the circumstances to get you riding again.

COVID-19 response update for March 25

Both shops will continue to be closed while we continue to develop processes to operate under these very dynamic conditions.

COVID-19 response March 17 update: South shop closure

We will be closing our south shop for the next week (at least) while we develop further ways to protect the health of our staff, volunteers, and patrons.

We have already been following strict cleaning regimen and limiting shop access, but feel that as the situation develops, we need to pause to have time to ensure that we have the proper infrastructure in place for a potentially longer-term disruption in normal operations, especially ahead of the spring and summer season.

We recognize that bikes are a crucial form of accessible transportation for many people, both as a mode of daily transport as well as for maintaining physical and mental health, so fully intend to find a way to minimize risk while still ensuring that people can access our services.

We welcome any feedback on what you feel are our most essential services, and how you would like us to deliver those services to you.

Saturday is our last day at the current location of our North Community Workshop!

We’re moving! Our North Community Bicycle Workshop at 9305 111 Ave will be open tonight and Saturday, and closed permanently starting Sunday, March 15.

Thanks for your support over the years, and especially the wonderful neighbours and the community we’ve been privileged to be a part of. We’re not moving far though, and hope to see everyone at our new downtown location at 10612 105 Avenue in April 2020!

New downtown Bike Edmonton Community Workshop opening April 2020

Bike Edmonton is moving our north shop to downtown!

The soft opening of our Downtown Community Bike Workshop is planned for early April at 10612 105 Ave. 

Our existing North Shop will remain open until mid-March. Please check our website for the latest news about closures. The South Shop remains open as usual.

Support us

To support the move, you can donate here. Even small contributions make a big difference: $10 buys LED lights for our bike hanger, or $100 will feed all of our renovation volunteers for a week.

You can also volunteer for the build-out by signing up here. We've been working every day and welcome more help.

Party with us!

We're opening our doors to the public in early April. Celebrate the grand opening with us on April 25 at Dirtbag Cafe next door! We'll share more details soon.

Location

Our new location is in the same building as Rock Jungle Boulders & Dirtbag Cafe, across the street from MacEwan LRT, MacEwan University, and directly on the 105 Ave protected bike lane. We're sad to be leaving our neighbours in Boyle/McCauley, Norwood and Alberta Ave: we've had a great eight years in the area, but we aren't moving very far: just 6 blocks south and a bit more central.

Hiring and Shop Volunteers

We're hiring a full-time Downtown Community Bike Workshop Manager to run the new shop. The position starts as soon as possible. Know anyone who would make a good candidate? Please apply today!

We also need volunteers to help serve the public once we open. Please let us know if you're interested in volunteering!

We’re excited for the new opportunities in this location, and all that we’ll be able to build together.

Call for Support: 30km/hr in the Core

Bike Edmonton fully supports the #YEGCoreZone call for a 30 km/h speed limit on residential neighbourhood roads in the core, and lower residential speed limits city-wide.

Core Zone communities desire 30 km/h in their neighbourhoods for two reasons:

1. Safety.
   
   In Toronto, central wards reduced their speed limits from 40 km/h to 30 on local roads. Researchers found that 28% fewer pedestrians were hit by motorists on these roads after the speed limit was reduced. Pedestrians killed or seriously injured on these roads plunged 67%. This came even as police drastically reduced motorist ticketing after dismantling their traffic unit.
   
   Research (and physics) shows that reductions in speed make a huge difference in safety, without significantly affecting travel times.
   

2. Better liveability
   

   Slower vehicles on the roads directly in front of homes makes for better neighbourhoods.
   
   

Here is the #YEGCoreZone call for your support:

We need YOU to support calmer speed limits at City Hall on February 26, at 9:30AM. 

That day, Edmonton's Community and Public Services Committee will review two speed-limit changes proposed by city administration. Proposal one is a 40km/hr city-wide residential speed limit. Proposal two is the 30km/hr #YEGCoreZone — but it will see all other residential areas across the city remain at 50km/h.

That's why we need you.

Last year, committee and council discussed a hybrid option — 30km/hr on residential streets in the core and 40km/hr on residential streets elsewhere — (meeting links here and here). But city administration is proposing just the two options noted above, and is not proposing a hybrid option. Given that council directed administration to consider a 30-40 hybrid as one potential fix, we need to push for it to come back. 

Why? 

FIRST, CORE NEIGHBOURHOODS NEED 30KM/HR. Any other speed isn’t safe for these neighbourhoods and their generally narrow roadways. Any other speed won’t encourage people to get out on their streets. Core communities have asked for 30km/hr and are ready for it. The only acceptable speed in the core is 30km/hr. 

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE REST OF EDMONTON. An increasing number of people across the city are calling for calmer residential streets. This was made clear in April at committee, and in May at council — as well as through other resident engagements. We know proposal one, which would mean 40km/hr in the core, isn’t acceptable. Yet we also know that proposal two would leave many residents outside the core living on streets with an unacceptable status quo of 50km/hr.

THE BEST SOLUTION IS EITHER A HYBRID OR 30KM/HR CITY WIDE. The committee should be pushed to consider if it prefers 30km/hr city wide or if it prefers a 30-40 hybrid. We need you to come to city hall and speak up to make sure this happens

By the way, we're not alone. The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues worked with community leagues regarding residential street speeds. The EFCL endorses 30km/hr residential streets city-wide. Their final report is here. 

Paths for People also supports 30km/hr city-wide and continues to advocate for streets for people. Check out their position here.

KEY MESSAGES

1. The #YEGCoreZone needs 30km/hr no matter what. Citizens are ready for it and the grid style design demands it. 

2. Citizens outside of the central core want slower streets, too. Keeping 50km/hr isn’t acceptable.

3. The best option for the rest of Edmonton is either 30km/hr city-wide or a 30/40 hybrid.

4. It’s time to start implementing safer and more liveable streets now.

HOW TO HELP

1. Email city council. You can use this link, or email your councillor directly.

2. Speak on February 26. You can sign up here.

3. If you want help with a presentation, or to coordinate so you don’t repeat something another speaker is saying, or if you've never presented before and are a bit nervous — we can help you out! Email Julie Kusiek at liveablestreetsedmonton@gmail.com.

4. Talk to your friends and neighbours. It’s time for safe and liveable street supporters to take action. Invite them to get involved and forward them this newsletter.

RESOURCES

• Estimated time of arrival tool

• Video summary

• Community and Public Services Committee agenda and item report

Winter Cycling Mentor Matching

Paths for People and Bike Edmonton are pairing up Edmontonians who have winter cycling experience with folks who want to give it a try. The two non-profit organizations seek to foster the city’s cycling community and boost Edmontonians’ knowledge, comfort and confidence around cycling in the colder months. 

The new month-long mentorship program is recruiting seasoned winter cyclists and novice ones from February 14 until February 27. They must be 18+, have a working bike and be willing to commit to the five hours needed to complete the program:

• Mentor Sign-up form

• Novice Sign-up form

The initiative will begin with a panel discussion and meet-up of the matched mentors and mentees on Friday, February 28 at 7-9pm in the Bike Edmonton South Community Workshop. This will be followed by a month of knowledge sharing and conclude with a group ride of all participants on Saturday, March 14. 

Panel and Meet-n-Greet Session

Friday, February 28 (7-9pm) Bike Edmonton South Community Workshop  8001 102 Street

Seasoned winter-cyclists will cover the how-tos in a panel discussion. Then the mentors will be paired with novice winter-cyclists to answer any questions and problem solve one-on-one. 

Knowledge Sharing

February 28-March 13 

A month for the new winter cyclists to try out what they heard and learned. They have a chance to ask questions and get insights from their mentor via email over the month. 

Group Ride

Saturday, March 14 (11am-12pm) 

Meet at the Bike Edmonton South Community Workshop 8001 102 Street

A one-hour group ride with all the mentors and mentees. 

Reimagining Edmonton's streets on the cheap, talk by David Engwicht

Paths for People presents David Engwicht, an international leader in placemaking and urban planning, in a workshop and talk on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Bike Edmonton is proud to sponsor this event. Be inspired to reclaim neighbourhood streets as places!

Choose to sign up to one or both events on February 8, 2020.

Creatively Reframing & Reclaiming Public Space
Saturday, February 8, 2020
7-9pm
La Cité Francophone Theatre (8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury)
Pay-what-you-can. Tickets available via Eventbrite.

This evening public talk will motivate and challenge Edmontonians to merge transportation with creativity and reclaim their streets, both psychologically and physically. David champions low-cost, highly creative interventions by everyday citizens for changing the conversation and uses of city spaces. He will help Edmontonians start generating ideas and options for their own communities to make the streets friendlier, safer and more welcoming.

The public talk will be followed by a Q&A.

Transforming Public Spaces with Less Talk and More Action
Saturday, February 8, 2020
9:30am-3pm
Forest Terrace Heights Community League
10150 80 Street
Free. Tickets required, via Eventbrite.

This is a daytime public workshop led by David Engwicht and hosted by the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. The free half-day workshop from 9:30am-3pm is for community league leaders to learn strategies for placemaking. Participants will explore how to create extraordinary spaces in just 7 days, without endless talk and on a shoestring budget.

The Spoke, a free earn-a-bike program for youth

Does a youth in your life need a free bicycle and the skills to maintain it? The Spoke is a free earn-a-bike program for youth aged 12-17 inclusive. By coming to the program each Wednesday night for 7 weeks, each youth earns a bike, a lock, lights, helmet, and a bell! No mechanical experience is needed. More than just a bike-building program, the Spoke is an inclusive program where volunteers help youth to learn in a way that’s comfortable and at their own pace. We also learn about city, single track, and trail riding possibilities and we go for a ride! The next session starts January 8. There are no Spoke sessions in the summer. Email spoke@bikeedmonton.ca or call 780-433-2543 extension 905 for more information or to register.

Holiday closures

Both of our shops will be closed December 22, 2019 until January 1, 2020 for the holidays.

If you have work to do or gifts to purchase, please visit us before then! You can find our hours and locations here.

Cover image by Heather Magusin Photography

Campus Learn, Tune up and Bicycle Ride Night!

Do you want your ride to school to be easier and more fun? This course offers tips for riding, a free tune up, and an easy guided bike tour of the dedicated bike infrastructure and recommended bike routes near the Grant MacEwan campus and beyond! We’ll even give you free bike lights for joining us! All campuses are invited.

Thursday, October 3rd, 4:30- 7:30pm

Grant MacEwan University Roundhouse, 11110 104 Ave, room 11-171A

To register or to find out more about the event, please visit http://yeg.bike

If you haven’t signed up for the Campus Commuter Challenge , we’ll help you sign up at the event, or sign by yourself to log your kilometers and bring your campus to victory!

Uplift Day

We’ll be providing free bicycle tune ups to Edmontonians in need at the Catholic Social Service event, Uplift Day, this Saturday, September 28, 2019. Visitors will also be getting free haircuts, underwear, clothing, portraits, and hot meals thanks to a number of other participating organizations and businesses. If you’re struggling and can’t afford these services, you can join us at Eastwood community League, St Alphonsus, 11828 85 St NW from 11 am - 3 pm. Contact cssalberta.ca for more information.

the Spoke, a youth earn-a-bike program

Do you know a youth aged 12-17 years inclusive who would like to know about bike repair and would benefit from being part of a supportive, community-building program? The Spoke is a free program that fosters relationships between youth and volunteers in a positive working space. The Spoke promotes a sense of ownership in the community, allowing for learning through mistakes and taking pride in wanting to learn. By participating, youth earn a bike, a lock, a light, a bell and a helmet. No previous mechanical knowledge is needed.

1. Every Wednesday (6-8 pm) for seven weeks. Due to the amount of time it takes to properly rebuild a bicycle in a safe manor, a youth will need to commit to all seven sessions.

2. Our next session starts September 18, 2019. We’ll be running 4 sessions from fall 2019 to spring 2020.

3. Where: Bike Edmonton North Community Workshop, 9305-111 Ave NW Edmonton

4. Cost: $100 deposit paid by cash or cheque. This deposit will be refunded when the youth has attended all 7 sessions (some leeway can be made for illness, but not for vacations or choosing other activities over the Spoke commitment). Please inquire if this deposit is a financial challenge.

5. Who can take the Spoke? Youth 12-17 years inclusive.

6. To find out more or to register a youth, please email spoke@bikeedmonton.ca

Register grade 3 - 12 students for a day of learning and riding this Sunday, September 8, 2019

There’s still time to register children grades 3 - 12 for this Sunday’s, September 8, 2019 bicycle education, brought to you by our partners Ever Active Schools and SHAPE AB.

BRINGING CITY CYCLING STRATEGIES TO LIFE IN GRADE 3-12 STUDENTS

To support active transportation and acknowledge changes to cycling because of the new bike lane

infrastructure in Edmonton, Ever Active Schools and SHAPE AB are recruiting students to participate in our City Cycling Strategies project. This initiative aims to increase cycling knowledge, safety awareness, and self efficacy of 60 student cyclists.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a learn to bike program. This program is intended to teach students about the cycling infrastructure in Edmonton and we will be doing a 2.5 hour on road ride.

DATE AND LOCATION

Sunday, September 8, 2019 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Queen Alexandra Community League, 10425 University Ave, Edmonton, AB

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

To register online, please visit Bringing City Cycling Strategies to Life in Grade 3 - 12 Students form

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Free one day, on road, cycling workshop that will cover:

• helmet and bike knowledge,

• bicycle handling, signals and safe, secure storage,

• navigating intersections, signage, and routes,

• cycling etiquette,

• basic bicycle maintenance,

• on-road guided riding.

Day-of Orientation Session that will include:

• helmet and bicycle safety and sizing checks,

• a program review,

• bicycle obstacle course,

• a cycling literacy survey for participants and families to determine baseline knowledge/skill level and

• identify barriers to safe cycling;

PROGRAM PERKS:

• small session sizes, with a lead and a sweep,

• the promotion of our Cycling Buddies program,

• 2.5 hour guided on-road riding to practise skills

• visits to interesting and informative bike stops,

• follow-up cycling literacy surveys and program evaluation,

• certificate of course completion,

• free lunch!

Annual General Meeting

The Bike Edmonton Annual General Meeting (AGM) is Sunday, November 3, 2019, from 1-3pm at the Ritchie Community League Hall (7727 98 St NW).

Everyone is welcome to attend. Our Board of Directors and executive director will present the annual report and membership will vote on our annual 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. Candidates can also be nominated from the floor at the AGM. Directors will be elected by our membership at the AGM.

Isaak Kornelsen memorial ride and parklette, August 30, 2019

On Friday, August 30, 2019 join us at 5:30pm in front of Earth’s General Store, 9605 82 Ave NW, for a memorial ride in honour of Isaak Kornelsen. The ride will proceed slowly and in legal order to the Memorial Parklet for Isaak Kornelsen. This ride is both a celebration and remembrance of Isaak’s life, as well as a demonstration in support of dedicated, safe cycling infrastructure. Please contact us if you need help finding a good bike route to the starting location, info@bikeedmonton.ca.

Please note that the location for the parklet has changed this year. The parklet will be a one day public space memorial in front of Cafe Mosaic’s, 10844 82 Ave NW in honour of Isaak Kornelsen. The parklet will be a small urban park set up temporarily in two metered parking spaces. 

Isaak’s life was tragically cut short on August 27, 2012, at the age of 21 while cycling on Whyte Avenue. Isaak was a Strathcona High School valedictorian, University of Alberta Philosophy student, and runner for both the Golden Bears and Edmonton Thunder. But most importantly, he was a sincere and loving individual who brightened the lives of everyone he met.

The parklet is designed to symbolize various aspects of Isaak’s life, and the ideals he upheld. By portraying these ideals we aim to inspire people to think more deeply about the world they live in, and to leave with a renewed yearning to discover and experience what the world has to offer.

Creating a one-day parklet installation on Whyte Avenue will not solve unsafe cycling conditions on Edmonton’s busy streets; however, it can raise awareness for the need and urgency to better balance all modes of transportation in Edmonton.