Gateway Boulevard Reconstruction and Station Flats

Paths for People has highlighted missed opportunities in Gateway Boulevard draft concept plan. We would go even farther, and propose a shared use path on the east side of Gateway Boulevard, linking 80 Ave and 81 Ave to the south side of Whyte Ave, as a measure to improve connectivity around the railway. Unfortunately, there is currently no opportunity given for the public to provide feedback on the concept plan.

In the same area, a proposed development called Station Flats proposes to rezone and remove the municipal reserve (green space) on the corner of Gateway and Whyte Ave. Feedback is being accepted until March 5.

While this development is a project of Beljan Development, a developer with a strong history of well-done projects with a focus on walkability (including one of the first developments in Edmonton to include a bike garage in lieu of any on-site parking), we do have reservations about potential impacts on connectivity of the area south of Whyte Ave on either side of the railway, as well as the loss of the green space which, while neglected by the City, nevertheless serves as a gathering space for many members of the community.

You can provide your own feedback here until March 5.

142 St Bridge over Whitemud Drive

The City is accepting feedback on options for the 142 St Bridge over Whitemud Drive until March 5.

This important connection is a significant "missing link", isolating neighbours from each other, cut off by Terwillegar Drive and Whitemud Drive freeways.

Three options have been presented for feedback. Our recommendation is Option 2: the most direct path.

This is cheaper than the long span of Option 1, and avoids potential slopes and confusing, needless detours of Option 3.

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Concept Idea 2: direct connection

The pedestrian bridge is part of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion project, a three-phase project to turn Terwillegar Drive into an expressway, widening Rainbow Valley Bridge, constructing additional lanes onto Terwillegar Drive and 170 St, and upgrading both interchanges at Whitemud Drive and at the Anthony Henday. The initial two phases are expected to cost at least $223 million.

Duggan Bridge closure and Strathcona shortcutting

In late December and throughout January, we noticed increased traffic shortcutting through the Strathcona neighbourhood due to the Duggan Bridge closure at 107 St on Saskatchewan Drive. The closure is planned to last until late 2021.

This increased traffic has been creating significant hazards for pedestrians and people on bikes throughout the neighbourhood, in particular on 107 St, as well as at 85 Ave and 106 St (crossing the separated bike lanes).

Have you observed or experienced any near-misses or collisions in the neighbourhood? Let us know.

We contacted the project manager with specific requests and have seen some small changes and improvements to the intersection at 107 St and Saskatchewan Drive (including an east detour walkway, as well as pylons to discourage cars from driving on the sidewalk), but the high traffic volume trying to speed through the neighbourhood continues to pose a danger to community members.

We are calling on the City to implement stronger measures to discourage drivers from shortcutting through Strathcona. The official, signed detour directs drivers to use 109 St and Whyte Ave, but currently cutting through the neighbourhood is more appealing. Ensuring that Saskatchewan Drive is used only for local traffic during the Duggan Bridge closure is essential for the safety and comfort of this neighbourhood, especially as spring returns and more people are out walking and cycling.

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Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion concept plan

The detailed concept plan for the largest section of the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion is currently open for feedback until March 8, 2021.

There are significant safety issues with the current plan, highlighted in the images below.

• Slip lanes throughout the design, including those at St Albert Trail, and in particular the double slip lanes on the northwest corner of 127 St and Yellowhead Trail, encourage high turning speeds. Slip lanes are recognized dangers to pedestrians and people on bikes, and the design of these lanes violates Vision Zero principles.

  Edmonton’s Safe Mobility Strategy states:

  "People of all ages and abilities, using all modes of transportation, and in all seasons, deserve to be able to travel safely along Edmonton’s streets and pathways. During planning, design, activation, and maintenance, we will proactively reduce exposure to risk and harm."

• The intersection of 126 Ave and 127 St, just north of the Yellowhead, includes a wide radius turn on the southwest corner, which encourages drivers to encroach onto the crosswalk to turn, while also allowing for higher speed turns. Meanwhile, the shared-use path directs bikes into the middle the intersection, rather than towards either crosswalk, which puts people in conflict with traffic flow regardless of the state of the crossing lights.

• The crossing at 124 Ave and 107 St requires signal lights as traffic leaving Yellowhead Trail will not have any cues to slow down.

Action request for you:

Please share this feedback with the City, as well as any of your own, through the online survey before the end of March 8.

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Yellowhead at St Albert Trail

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127 St

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107 St at 124 Ave

View the full concept plan here.

You can register to attend public learning sessions (and submit questions to info@twenty-20.ca):

• Thursday March 4, 2021, 6:30-8pm (register)

• Saturday March 6, 2021, 10-11:30am (register)

Unfortunately, though this project has a budget of $1 billion, there are very few details relating to active transportation in this engagement. The City has an information video about this portion of the project. You can view the original 8.5 minute video here, or watch the below video, which we have shortened to 1 minute to highlight the portions that mention active transportation.

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Speaking Municipally: a weekly podcast about Edmonton's municipal politics

One of the best ways to stay informed about what’s going on in Edmonton is to sign up for The Pulse, from Taproot Edmonton. The Pulse is your daily Edmonton news brief, letting you know what's going on in Edmonton, both around town and at City Hall.

With the municipal election approaching in October, and many candidates already declared and campaigning, Taproot Edmonton provides an invaluable service for anyone wanting to stay informed about the city and the issues.

Don’t want more e-mail? That’s fine! You can subscribe to the Speaking Municipally podcast for your once-a-week focus on municipal politics.

The episodes are always timely, so you can start listening at the latest episode, but if you’re looking for a bit more, we suggest listening to this episode featuring Kalen Anderson, the [former] director of Edmonton’s City Plan. It helps provide a good introduction to what the City Plan is all about.

Trailheads: A History of Urban Planning in Edmonton

Want to learn more about urban planning in Edmonton? Hear from some of the people shaping the form of our city, and learn what the City Plan means for the future of this city.

Listen to this special six part series from the The Well Endowed Podcast, a production of the Edmonton Community Foundation: Trailheads: A History of Urban Planning in Edmonton.

Join guest host and producer Julian Faid (you may recognize him from his years with Rapid Fire Theatre) as he explores the many facets of how Edmonton is designed, the consequences and benefits of these design choices, and how this little patch of land on Treaty 6 Territory has evolved over time.

Trailheads: A History of Urban Planning in Edmonton

• Part 1 – Pre-Fort Edmonton with Lewis Cardinal and Carolina Roemmich

• Part 2 – Post-Fort Edmonton with Shirley Lowe and Erik Backstrom

• Part 3 – Car Culture with Ashley Salvador and Julie Kusiek

• Part 4 – Public Transit with Dr. Emily Grise, Danika McConnell and Carter Gorzitza

• Part 5 – Urban Design with Jill Robertson and Dr. Robin Mazumder

• Part 6 – The Future with Andrew Knack and Kalen Anderson

Win studded tires at Flying Canoe Volant!

Come visit Bike Edmonton at Flying Canoe Volant in front of La Cité Francophone (8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury)! (Registration is required, but is now sold out.)

Show up with your decorated bike, and you’ll be entered into a competition to win two studded bicycle tires, thanks to support from WinterCity Edmonton. (A limited range of tire sizes are available.) We also have bells and lights to award, and information on how to enjoy our vibrant winter city by bike.

Online Winter Cycling Panel this Friday, January 29, 2021

This Friday, January 29th from 7-8:30pm, you can join us for a free Online Winter Cycling Panel discussion on Google Meets. To register, email info@bikeedmonton.ca and we’ll send you the Google Meets calendar invitation. Four Bike Edmonton volunteers and the Bike Edmonton Project Coordinator, Molly, will offer diverse tips and tricks for staying safe and having fun on your winter ride. We’ll discuss motivation, keeping warm, preventing slips and falls in difficult conditions, creating habits for keeping your bike mechanically sound, and much more. Join us to learn more and hear engaging stories whether you’re an experienced winter rider or just starting to enjoy winter by bike!

If you’d like to register or have questions about joining us on Google Meets, please email info@bikeedmonton.ca Thank you Alberta Ecotrust for funding this online panel discussion!

3.5 days left to join Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge and win prizes!

Sign up for the Explore Bike Edmonton challenge by the end of December 31, 2020 and you’ll be eligible for prizes. You have to fully register by completing the following 3 steps by midnight December 31, 2020. Take on challenges that suit you and win prizes! Prizes and free instructional opportunities will be awarded until the end of January.

Prizes include: studded winter tires, portable bicycle pumps, multitools, set of bike lights, the book Frostbike: the Joy, Pain, and Numbness of Winter cycling by Calgary's Tom Babin, or pogies (bar mitts)  

3 steps to register

1. Fill in the Explore Bike Edmonton - entry survey

2. Register to log kilometers by making an account at explore.commuterchallenge.ca 

Here’s some essential tips for creating an account.

• In the "year of birth" field, please enter your year of birth or 4 numbers, eg 1234. Don’t leave this field blank

• When they ask "Where do you work?", please select "individual/No affiliation" from the drop down menu. Please don't try to create a new workplace. You don't have to be working or riding to work to participate in our challenge and there's no advantage to selecting your workplace. We're borrowing this website and didn't choose the wording. The Winter Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge is about getting out there to winter ride! No matter where you cycle to, we want you to record all of your winter cycling kilometers!

• Once you start adding your kilometers, your account will add up your kilometers over time, it will show you the calories you expended and the CO2 emissions you've avoided!

3. To complete your registration, start tracking your kilometers! You can start by entering the number of kilometers you’ve cycled this winter. If you haven’t ridden yet this winter, enter the kilometers you rode in the summer. Participants will be tracking kilometers for other chances to win until December 31, 2020. Here are a few tips for using the website:

• If you don't have a bike computer or an app that tracks your kilometers, no problem! Use Google Maps to estimate your distances  

• You can win prizes even if you’ve ridden few kilometers.

Do you want to win prizes or just share your love of riding? Choose a challenge!

The following challenges and prizes are designed so that everyone in the program can pick 1 or more challenges, whether you're a seasoned rider or new to winter cycling. No matter what your travel obligations are right now, one of these challenges is bound to appeal. 

1. Challenge: take on a challenge and get a free Bike Edmonton membership. If you participate in any of the following challenges and keep entering the kilometers you ride until December 31st, 2020 (for eg, enter kilometers every week), then you'll receive a free 1 year Bike Edmonton membership, value $20! If you've already updated your membership this year, we'll just add another year onto it.

1. Challenge: Choose to bike instead of driving. If you own a car or share a car and are choosing to winter ride instead of getting behind the wheel, you might be eligible to win 1 or 2 studded winter tires! We're starting to contact people tomorrow morning about this prize, so make sure you've logged all your kilometers on explore.commuterchallenge.ca

1.5 New! Give-away of another 10 sets of studded tires. These tires are generously funded by the City of Edmonton WinterCity fund. Stay tuned for details in January. Feel free to email info@bikeedmonton.ca to tell us how you will use the tires. Submitted stories will be used by Bike Edmonton to inspire others. We won't use your name with the story without explicit permission.

2. Challenge: New and almost new riders ride. If you're new to winter riding, or have only ridden in the winter this year, you might win a prize for learning about winter cycling! Your challenge is to either 

• ask us questions by email, we'll answer, then report back to us after you've taken your next ride

• book a video meeting to discuss riding strategies, then report back to us after you've taken your next ride 

• OR join an instructor for a small ride to learn techniques! If you choose to meet an instructor, we'll keep 2 meters apart and wear masks. Meeting up for physical activities is permitted under the health restrictions

• you can pick what you want to learn and how you want to learn it. There's no obligation for a lengthy interaction and no obligation to ride a long way. No pressure (except in the tires, of course)! 

Challenge: Ride more! We're watching the statistics roll in from the online kilometer tracking site. It's very exciting! On December 31st we'll be picking and announcing a few winners who are increasing their riding in a big way! This doesn't mean you have to ride millions of kilometers. If you didn't ride in the winter before and now you're out there riding in this winter city, you might win a prize! If you have ridden quite a bit in winter before, but are giving it your all, you might win a prize!

4. Challenge: Pictures speak volumes! If you're logging kilometers, even if you don't get out to ride much right now, you can inspire others by submitting pictures of one or more of your adventures. Show us the wonderful things you see while winter riding and make sure your bike or, if you like, you and your bike, are in the photo. By submitting photos, you are allowing us to use the photo to promote winter cycling. We won't mention your name when we use the photo. 

5. Challenge: Tell us about your winter ride! Let the world know about your winter cycling experience. Write a few sentences, or a Haiku, draw a picture, or create a graphic novel. We want to hear what you have to say about winter cycling. We'll be using some of the entries to inspire others to winter cycle, so don't hesitate to enter a simple description. Your contribution might convince someone to get on their bike and enjoy the beauty of winter!

Generous sponsors: Alberta Ecotrust. and Wintercity Edmonton

Photo credit: Crystal Ling

Touch the Water Promenade

The Touch the Water Promenade is an ambitious placemaking project for a central stretch of the North Saskatchewan River on its north bank between Government House Park/Groat Road and Rossdale (east of the Walterdale Bridge).

Placemaking is an approach to public spaces that considers spaces holistically, taking into account not just the physical environment, but also their social context, including Indigenous perspectives. Placemaking seeks to create public spaces that work for their communities, and are accessible, vibrant, and creative.

The Touch the Water Promenade project does not currently have a budget and is in the process of developing a vision through community engagement. It is seeking feedback on two concept design ideas: Gateways and Threads.

The Concept Options

The Gateways design features three large outdoor gathering spaces at Government House Park, High Level Bridge and Rossdale. It includes improvements to the shared-use path but largely focuses on creating three public square-like spaces along the project area.

The Threads design features seven smaller gathering sites spread out along the river’s edge, integrated with the promenade. It prioritizes connectivity and movement through a widened continuous pathway, with additional, separate pathways and lookouts nearer the river. 

The Threads design is a better fit for this section of the river valley as a place for active transportation, recreation, and meeting. Smaller public spaces are more human-scale: a place you might linger with a friend for a few minutes or a few hours, rather than only when an organized event is occurring. Parallel pathways in the Threads option, especially at current chokepoints like under Groat Bridge and east of the High Level Bridge, also reduce conflict with trail users.

The Gateways option offers some appealing designs, in particular the remarkable daylighting of Groat Ravine. But its focus on larger, planned activities at the other two sites fails to allow for more organic and spontaneous interactions: pausing for a few minutes on your walk or bike ride, or meeting a friend for a picnic. The Rossdale design in Gateways also leaves less space for sitting near the water: most of the best areas for lingering are farther away from the water than the existing paths. The Threads design creates more gathering spaces right on the river’s edge.

Climate

A major failing of the draft concepts is a total lack of consideration for weather: both options lack any representation of winter (excepting the skating oval), and both are lacking in shelters from wind, rain, or sun. However, the Threads option, with its greater emphasis on movement rather than stationary attractions, at least creates places that facilitate movement with the potential for short breaks, enabling use throughout the year.

Challenges

Both options will have to deal with variable water conditions, including flooding, ice heaves, mud, and spring runoff debris. Year-round maintenance, safety and accessibility, and minimizing impacts on natural areas are challenges that either design will need to address as the project moves into its design phase.

Feedback

Give your feedback to the City by November 30.

You can visit the project website to learn more about it. Scroll down to the "Draft Concept Options Design Package to see the full concept design options.

You can give feedback in quick polls, share ideas or questions, and complete a more detailed survey, which closes on November 30.

Ride your bike: get free things

You’ve made the decision to ride this winter and we can help you meet your goals! Sign up for the Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge to track your progress, get personalized help, and earn a chance to win useful equipment! This program is generously sponsored by Alberta Ecotrust.

Here are some of the perks of participating in the Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge:

1. The first 25 people to join will receive free pogies (aka bar mitts), which can be very effective in keeping your hands warm.

2. If you’re choosing to ride instead of drive, you may be eligible for our studded tire incentive. Future giveaways also include multiuse tools and bicycle lights.

3. Receive advice from people with decades of experience and their various approaches to winter cycling. You can choose advice that works for you. You’ll have your questions answered by email, you can watch Bike Edmonton winter cycling video clips, or you can sign up to attend our online panel discussion for conversations with new and experienced cyclists.

4. Guided winter rides, one-on-one or in small groups, practicing practical skills to make your winter journeys safer and more enjoyable. 

5. Your online account records your kilometers ridden, including calories expended and CO2 emissions avoided.

To join, just:

1. Fill in the Explore Bike Edmonton - entry survey

2. Then register by making an account at explore.commuterchallenge.ca

3. Start tracking your kilometres! You can start by entering the number of kilometres you’ve cycled this winter. If you haven’t ridden yet this winter, enter the kilometres you rode in the summer.

Volunteers needed for Bike Edmonton's casino, December 30 and 31, 2020

This year the Bike Edmonton casino dates are Wednesday, December 30 and Thursday, December 31, 2020. We are at the Starlight Casino, 8882 170 St NW in West Edmonton Mall. You do not need any experience or knowledge of casinos or games to volunteer at Bike Edmonton's casino event. We have professional advisers to provide training and guidance in every aspect of our volunteer roles. Training will happen at the start of your shift. For more information or to sign up to volunteer for the casino, please visit our Bike Edmonton Casino 2020 Volunteer Sign-up Form.

Bike Edmonton uses licensed charitable casino events to raise funds for our activities. Once every two years, we staff a casino with volunteers for two days, which generally raises over $70,000 to support our organization. This year, following Covid-19 restrictions, we will have fewer volunteers in the casino. Volunteering during these holiday dates is equivalent to receiving an extra ~$17,500.

By volunteering at this event, your 4-8 hour shift is equivalent to donation of thousands of dollars to Bike Edmonton. Although there is a chance that the casinos will close again because of Covid-19, we move forward in hope as always.

Free youth earn-a-bike program the Spoke, starts Wednesday October 28th, 2020

The Spoke is a Bike Edmonton program for youth that builds cooperation, mechanical aptitude, and excitement for cycling adventures! The Spoke doesn’t run in the summer and the spring sessions may be cancelled. Join now!

Registration: Email spoke@bikeedmonton.ca to receive registration information or fill out the Spoke nomination form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10SvZQCQPF_QbTOCSIgIKNcPxJhSXHLsm5LFXYmzAZEA/viewform?edit_requested=true

Cost: Free. Youth take home a bike, lock, lights, helmet, and a bell. A $100 deposit is due on the first night, to be refunded if youth has attended all 5 nights. Permitted absences are defined in the registration package. Please let us know if this deposit is a financial challenge.

Who: Youth between 12-17 years old inclusive learn introductory bike repair skills and on-road skills with the help of our volunteer bike mechanics. Youth can join as long as they are at least 12 and don't turn 18 before the first day of the session. No mechanical knowledge is needed to join the Spoke. The program is open to all youth in this age group. We welcome youth with challenges. Contact us at spoke@bikeedmonton.ca if your youth has special considerations.

When: Every Wednesday (6-8 pm) for 5 weeks. The youth needs to commit to all 5 sessions.

Where: Bike Edmonton Downtown Community Workshop, 10612 105 Ave NW Edmonton, Just North of the MacEwan University. 

Why: The Spoke is a community 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.

How: Volunteers and staff offer strong leadership in cooperative work. Our volunteers bring a lot of social skills to the table. Contact us at spoke@bikeedmonton.ca if your youth needs special consideration. We want to make sure that the skills we bring will help your youth embrace this learning opportunity.

Covid-19, care for our communities: In our shops and out in the community, Bike Edmonton is maintaining a health protocol to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. At the Spoke we implement the following precautions: class size reduced from 7 to 3, mask use, frequent hand sanitizer use, tool washing, keeping a distance, individually wrapped food, and designating an eating area away from others (front hall or outside when reasonable). We have also changed the format of the class so that there are more opportunities for outdoor activities including rides and instructional sessions. The youth should come prepared to ride on each night of the Spoke sessions.

Kids cycling clinic Sunday, October 4th, in Queen Mary Park

To support active transportation in Edmonton, Ever Active Schools is recruiting students in Grades 4 - 12 to participate in a free City Cycling Strategies clinic, on Sunday, October 4, 2020 in Queen Mary Park, Edmonton. Bike Edmonton is partnering with Ever Active Schools to increase the cycling knowledge, community awareness, safety, and confidence of student cyclists through comprehensive cycling clinics.

Participants will be engaged in learning helmet and bike knowledge, bicycle handling, signals and safe, secure locking methods, navigating intersections, signage, and routes, cycling etiquette, basic bicycle maintenance, on-road guided riding. 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 10km on road ride.

For more information or to register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-cycling-strategies-clinic-queen-mary-park-community-tickets-122278838297

Questions? Contact Tracey Coutts, Health and Wellness Consultant - Active School Travel, at coutts@everactive.org

Photo is of a 2019 Bringing City cycling Strategies to Life for Edmonton Students ride.

Free bicycle tune ups today, September 5, at Grindstone 2020 Mural Massive

Free minor bicycle tune ups today, Saturday September 5th 2020 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Grindstone 2020 Mural Massive and Underground Art Auction event! Find the Bike Edmonton tune up station on 81 Ave between 100 street and 101 street. Your bike deserves a little love so it can fly through the winter, or be ready for you in the spring. We’ll make adjustments to your brakes, gears, headset, and more. We can replace a few parts while supplies last, like cables, housing, brake pads, and tubes if you want to pay for the cost of the parts. Our knowledgeable volunteers will answer all your questions about cycling in Edmonton and direct you to any cycling resources you need. Sponsored by Alberta Ecotrust. The Grindstone 2020 Mural Massive and Underground Art Auction event is sold out, but we’re at the gate and open to the public, so you can come visit us even if you don't have a ticket! To find out more about the Grindstone Mural Massive event by visiting https://www.grindstonetheatre.ca/shows/mural-massive/

Bike History of Edmonton Tour

Join Bike Edmonton on an easy-paced urban bike tour to celebrate 40 years of Bike Edmonton history on September 19, 2020!

We’ll visit historical Bike Edmonton locations and talk about the genesis of cycling advocacy in Edmonton, and the City’s attempts over the years to develop bike infrastructure.

We’ll be cycling about 9 kilometers with lots of breaks, which is an accessible distance for many adults. Our final destination will be Bike Edmonton’s new Downtown Community Bicycle Workshop, where particpants will enjoy a complimentary food truck lunch (your choice of either "Slow Carb Bowl" or "Burrito Molé") and a sun tea drink (fruit infused green tea), sponsored by Sustainable Food Edmonton! We'll also be providing tours of our new shop. A special thank you to our other sponsor, Alberta Ecotrust.

Participants will also receive a limited quantity Bike Edmonton sticker. Those who also sign up for the Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge and register the distance they’ve ridden this summer before the ride will also receive free bike lights and a bell.

Registration required via Eventbrite.

Bike Edmonton 2020 Annual General Meeting and Notice of Special Resolution

The Bike Edmonton Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020, from 1-3pm at picnic site #2 of Victoria Park, just behind the Victoria Park Pavilion (map).

This will be an outdoor meeting following COVID-19 precautions, and the focus will be limited to required-business: presentation and approval of audited financials and next year’s budget, an update on the activities of the Society, vote on a special resolution, and the election of the Board of Directors.

Everyone is invited to attend, hear updates about our new downtown location and COVID-19’s impact, and vote on important business. Only members-in-good-standing are eligible to vote: check your membership status (and renew your membership) here.

If you are interested in helping to set the direction of our growing organization, or know someone eager to help build Edmonton as a better city for cycling and walking, please visit our nominations page for details about the roles and responsibilities. Candidates can also be nominated from the floor at the AGM. Directors will be elected by our membership at the AGM.

Special Resolution

Notice of Special Resolution: proposed changes to voting and meetings

Notice is hereby given to all Bike Edmonton members that there is intention to propose the following to be passed as a Special Resolution during the Bike Edmonton Annual General Meeting on October 3, 2020.

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Bike Edmonton Society recommends amendments to the Society’s Bylaws;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Bylaws be amended as follows:

1. Delete "physically" from §7(d).

2. Delete "physically" from §8(f).

3. Add 8(g):If the Society chooses to make available a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during a meeting of members, any person entitled to attend such meeting may participate in the meeting by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communication facility in the manner provided by the policies and procedures of the Society. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this by-law, any person participating in a meeting of members pursuant to this section who is entitled to vote at that meeting may vote, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Society, by means of any telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that the organization has made available for that purpose.

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The proposed changes in full can be viewed here.

Outdoor Meeting

This meeting is being held outdoors, rain or shine or snow. Please be prepared for the weather, and dress for being sedentary. Accessible washrooms (with running water) are available in pavilion nearby. Car parking is available. Most people will access the site from River Valley Road (by car or bike). You can bring your bicycle directly to the site, or lock up at the bike racks in front of the pavilion.

There are a dozen picnic tables under a sheltered canopy at the meeting site; we will not be providing food or refreshments, so bring a picnic if you like! You may bring your own seating as well if you prefer.

Members who are unable or uncomfortable attending in-person, but wish to participate, should contact us. We are working on accomodations for virtual attendance and voting, but due to technological challenges of conducting outdoor livestreaming and electronic voting, we are unable to guarantee full participation or complete secrecy in ballots (if we do provide for electronic voting, the election administrator may be able to see votes). If you are a member-in-good-standing and wish to participate remotely, you will need to contact us directly at least 1 week prior to the AGM so we can ensure each individual participant has their unique and secure voting access.

COVID-19 Precautions

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19; with a history of international travel in the last 14 days; or with close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days must remain at home.

To respect the comfort and safety of everyone, please give 2m of space to people not within your cohort, and follow all public health guidelines. We encourage attendees to wear masks for the duration of the meeting.

Free minor bicycle tune ups at 3 events this week!

Bike Edmonton wants to help you keep riding into the fall by offering free minor bicycle tune ups this week! Join us at 3 different outreach locations and you can get your bike in better shape.

Thursday, August 27, 2020, from 1 pm to 4 pm we’ll be at Camp Petiwewin, Remax Field

Friday, August 28, 2020, from 11 am to 2 pm we’ll be at Earth’s General Store, 9605 82 Ave NW. The 80 Avenue dedicated bike lane gets you within a block from Earths!

Saturday, August 29, 2020, from 11 am to 3 pm we’ll be at Al Fresco on 4th! outdoor market. Find us in the Michael Phair Park, 10124 104 St NW

If you register for the Explore Bike Edmonton Challenge, https://bikeedmonton.ca/explore-bike-edmonton, before you attend or while you wait for us to tune up your bike, you’ll receive a set of free bike lights and a bell!

A big thank you to our sponsor, Alberta Ecotrust

Minor bicycle tune up session and block party!

Bike Edmonton is offering free minor bike tune ups this Friday, July 31, 2020 at the Neighbours Art Hive and Block Party in Strathcona between 2 pm and 5 pm. Look for us on 81 Ave between 101 St and 102 st. We’re excited to be part of this event that offers music, art activities for all levels, activities, all in an inclusive market-like atmosphere. The event runs from 2 pm to 8 pm. Bring your mask (mandatory) and enjoy this outdoor community event! Minor bike tune ups are provided for free by Bike Edmonton, thanks to the generous funding of Alberta EcoTrust.

MacKinnon Ravine & 149 Street Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project

Information provided by EPCOR:

MacKinnon Ravine & 149 Street Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project

The existing storm sewer under 149 Street and the west end of MacKinnon Ravine has been identified as requiring rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation of approximately 375 metres of the storm sewer located in MacKinnon Ravine is underway. The rehabilitation work includes trenchless methods to reduce impacts on the natural environment and the construction footprint. However, excavations are required in some areas. EPCOR continues to be committed to minimizing excavations when possible.

The work will be done at three different locations.

Work Area #1 (blue line on map)

This work is currently underway. A pit has been excavated in the ravine just east of 149 Street and north of Summit Drive. From this pit, a new pipe will be inserted inside the deteriorated pipe and grouted in place. The total length of this repair is approximately 110 metres. This work is anticipated to begin in late June and expected to be completed in October 2020.

Work Area #2 (orange line on map)

This work has been completed. Rehabilitation of approximately 157 metres of existing pipe under the ravine, east of 149 Street, was completed in July 2020.

Work Area #3 (yellow line on map)

A pit will be excavated at the paved trail in the ravine, north of Summit Drive and approximately 200 metres east of 149 Street. From this pit, a new pipe will be inserted inside the deteriorated pipe and grouted in place. Depending on the exact amount of deformation and damage in the existing pipe, additional excavations may be required to allow insertion of the new pipe inside the deteriorated pipe. Preparation for this work is anticipated to start October 9, pending completion of construction in Work Area #1. The paved trail will be closed starting the week of October 13, with construction for Work Area #3 expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

Traffic and pedestrian accommodation

The north parking lane on Summit Drive between 147 Street and 149 Street will be closed to allow space for storage. In addition:

• Part of the grass area north of Summit Drive at 148 Street will be used for material storage and laydown.

• The two laydown areas are required due to limited working (heavily treed) space within the ravine.

• The paved trail between Summit Drive, that starts just east of 148 Street and the large trail junction near 143 Street, will be closed while work is underway at Work Area #3, anticipated to begin in October.

• While the paved trail is closed, pedestrians and cyclists will need to detour north to Stony Plain Road and access the ravine from the north side via the trail from 143 Street. Access to the ravine is also available on the east side of 142 Street, from Summit Drive.

• The work areas are staggered and sections of the trail will be opened when possible and no work activity is taking place.

• The pedestrian bridge at the 148 Street and Summit Drive will remain open.

• Signage will be place in advance of the closures to notify trail users.

This project is in addition to the 99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Rehabilitation project also occurring in the area. More information about the 99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Rehabilitation Project will be provided as mobilization dates are finalized. Detailed information about the worksites and work scope is currently available on the project site.