Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society
8001 102 St T6E 4A2 Edmonton, AB, Canada

EPCOR will be performing hydrovac work at the south intersection of Stony Plain Road and 121 Street for the Valley Line Utility Relocation Project beginning February 22. The work is anticipated to be completed by March 2, weather permitting. The following traffic impacts will be in effect for the duration of the work: One lane eastbound at 121 Street on the south side of Stony Plain Road will be closed; Parking along the east side of 121 Street from 50 metres south of Sto...ny Plain Road to Stony Plain Road will not be permitted; No left turns will be permitted from northbound 121 Street to westbound Stony Plain Road; and The pedestrian crossing on the south side of Stony Plain Road at 121 Street will be closed. A detour will be provided. The 121 St bike lane will be maintained.

Urgent! Take advantage of the warming weather and get your bike tuned up and ready for spring now! Book your appointment, while we still have availability. If you wait until March, you may have a much harder time finding an open slot. Our downtown shop is nearly 2,000 sqft, with 20 ft ceilings and auxilliary exhaust ventilation, and we only allow a maximum of two patrons inside at one time.... https://bikeedmonton.ca/repair-service-booking

Replace your wheels with circular saw blades for riding in ice. What could possibly go wrong? https://youtu.be/y_bwKW6V1lw

Studded tires can help keep you rubber side down on icy surfaces. There are more options than ever in marvelously performing, commercially produced studded tires, many of which we stock in our shops (https://bikeedmonton.ca/shop-for-parts). However, here's a DIY method we've been using for decades to create traction on a budget.

The #GPSDrawYEG theme for Jan. 1-8 is the new year! What does the year ahead look like through a GPS drawing? A vaccine maybe? Or a gym barbell? Whatever it is,... be sure to stay safe and only participate alone or with your immediate household. Entries are due January 8th. Congratulations to last week’s winner, @LSathome on Twitter. Take a peek in the comments for the winning entry, it's pretty vivid and memorable! Learn more about the challenge at the link here - https://pathsforpeople.org/initiatives/gps-draw-yeg/ #yeg #yegbike #exploreedmonton

With practically no traffic, even non-urbanists like me suddenly realized how much space we’d given over to cars, and we envisioned these same streets as quieter, cleaner public spaces that could contain something else. During the first lockdown and soon afterward, workers laid nearly 100 miles of temporary coronapiste bike lanes in Paris and its surroundings, using just paint and thigh-high yellow markers that screw into the street. Activists who’d spent years pressing for... their plans to be enacted suddenly saw lanes appearing before their eyes. It was like in a dream. In a matter of 10 days, I think we did more than we would have done for maybe 10 years. After 16 years in cars and underground, or walking, I discovered that pedaling across the Seine on a sunny day is a peak experience. I wasn’t alone. French advocates urge cyclists to feel more connected to the weather and to other humans. (Vélo is an anagram for ‘love,’ Didier Tronchet wrote in his new illustrated book, Short Treatise on Vélosophie.)

The #GPSDrawYEG theme for Dec. 25-31 is the year 2020! How would you represent your 2020 through a GPS drawing? Is it a roll of toilet paper? A house? A loaf of... sourdough? Whatever it is, be sure to stay safe and only participate alone or with your immediate household. Entries are due New Year’s Eve. Congratulations to last week’s winner, Linda Hut with Edmonton's City Hall School. Take a peak in the comments for the winning entry! Learn more about the challenge at the link here - https://pathsforpeople.org/initiatives/gps-draw-yeg/ #exploreedmonton

In memory of the man who was killed while riding his bike on Monday, today we installed a Ghost Bike at 50 St & 94B Ave. https://fb.watch/2Sh92gF5Ox/

Do you have any bicycles that you aren't using any more? Be a supporter by donating your old bikes to us. We're working hard to refurbish bicycles to get ready for spring (and still selling bikes right nowcheck our website for listings!), and we could use some more bikes to repair! We aren't able to accept all bikes, so please first text photos to us at 780-433-2453, or e-mail them to [email protected]. We can assess the bike from the photo, and let you know the best plac...e to donate it, even if it's not us. Visit https://bikeedmonton.ca/donate for more information about donating, or just send us a photo of the bike(s) you'd like to donate!

Do you just need your chain cleaned and lubed, but don't have an appropriate space to do it at home? You can now book an appointment at our downtown shop and our volunteers will take care of your drivetrain for you. (And you can watch and learn at the same time.) Note that we are only allowing a maximum of 2 visitors into our shop at a time, and this service is currently only available at our Bike Edmonton Downtown Community Workshop.

Last night, Paths for People spoke to Council regarding budget deliberations. We called on the City to focus on low-cost, high-impact active transportation projects and to re-evaluate its approach to road-building. Read more: https://pathsforpeople.org//fall-2020-supplemental-budget/

This Tuesday at 6pm (Edmonton time), join Saskatoon Cycles and Bridge City Bicycle Co-op for an informal and interactive conversation to learn tips and tricks on winter cycling! Whether you are interested in trying winter cycling for the very first time or are a seasoned winter cyclist, everyone (including those in Edmonton) is welcomed to join! Facilitated by Tyler Rittinger (of Switching Gears Radio), this conversation features three panelists: Jim Arnold, Zack MacGregor, a...nd Pam Groat, who will share their perspectives and experiences on all things-related to winter cycling, including what to wear, how to winterize your bike, and more, followed by an open Q&A. The event will take place on Zoom and is free to attend! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88557977083 Meeting ID: 885 5797 7083 Passcode: bicycle

Are you riding inside this winter on an old school trainer? Take your spin to the next level with some classic workout DVD's! Available at Bike Edmonton South $10 takes all.

Since we aren't able to have in-person winter cycling classes this year, we will be sharing and producing more winter cycling content on social media. Follow BikeEdmonton on TikTok for the latest bite-sized videos, and let us know your questions and what topics you'd like us to cover! #yegbike #wintercycling #frostbike

Brown sugar. If you've been riding the last couple of weeks, you know the struggle.

A 50-year-old woman is in hospital with life-threatening head injuries. A 12-year-old child was struck by a driver in the same marked crosswalk last year.

In Oulu, Finland, the operators who maintain the city's extensive network of shared-use paths are contractually obligated to cycle the same paths that they clear of snow. Oulu is farther north than Yellowknife. It is the fifth largest city in Finland, and over 22% of trips are made by bike (even though it only has about half the population density of Edmonton). https://www.facebook.com/oulunkonetyo/posts/402463901166232

This Mom Bikes in Calgary has put together some tips for folks who are intetested in winter cycling. https://thismombikes.net/winter-ride-a-beginners-handbook/

How are your winter biking route conditions? Share them on the crowdsourced http://winterbiking.ca map to let the community know!

Some bike shops say they've seen double the interest in winter cycling, as people look for ways to stay active through the COVID-19 winter.

The bikes are at the shop right now getting winter tires on them, and riders will be in proper gear. Toronto plows the bike lanes, so we’re really gonna try and push it to see how much they can get on the road this winter. It’s been extremely successful, says Gilbert, a senior operations manager at FedEx. We’ve had some great information come back in terms of productivity against vehicles. FedEx also worked with local group Cycle Toronto to educate the 15 riders who would ride the bikes. Cycle Toronto developed a safety program for the ebike couriers, and walked through training with the group.

Our letter to Council regarding today’s Public Hearing on Safer Speed Limits along Residential Streets and Main Streets

Did you catch the Shift Into Winter panel on winter cycling hosted by Two Wheel View and the City of Calgary last month? If you missed it, you can still watch a recording of it online to draw inspiration from Canadian frostbikers here. Additionally, Two Wheel View has compiled some more detailed information about gear, maintenance, riding with kids, and the all important how to keep your glasses from fogging up.. https://www.twowheelview.org//Shift-into-Winter-Follow-up-

The development, Culdesac Tempe, is a 17-acre lot just across the Salt River from Phoenix. Currently a mess of dust and heavy equipment, the site will eventually feature 761 apartments, 16,000 square feet of retail, 1,000 residents and exactly zero places for them to park. The car-addicted reality of the area makes Culdesac’s architectural renderings both intriguing and a little hard to believe. According to the images, neighbors will lounge in communal courtyards and walk... to do their errands. Culdesac Tempe is directly on a light-rail line to downtown Phoenix, but residents may never need to leave: The complex will feature its own grocery store, coffee shop, restaurant, co-working space and other amenities. When Culdesac Tempe was announced, the idea of a large, car-free development in Arizona seemed like the extreme but plausible edge of a long-term trend. Then, of course, came the pandemic, causing tens of millions of Americans to begin telecommuting from their living rooms. Across the country, employers are re-evaluating whether they will ever reopen their downtown offices at full capacity, and some have told their staffs that they can accomplish their tasks via videoconference forever. Suddenly, the Culdesac pitch a Sun Belt development that caters to people who work remotely and middle-class refugees from the expensive and crowded coasts started looking eerily prescient.

Edmontonians are invited to speak to Council on two bylaws on a 40km/h Default Residential Speed and Speed Zones at the Edmonton City Council Public Hearing this Wednesday and Thursday (November 4 and 5).. Register to speak online or in person at http://coewebapps.edmonton.ca/rqspeak/

Did you know that low-income, Indigenous people and linguistic minorities are exposed to higher numbers of fatal & major injury crashes by virtue of where they live in Edmonton? Many of these neighbourhoods also lack safe cycling infrastructure. Complete Edmontons survey on the Citys Safe Mobility Strategy 2021-2025.... Survey closes in one week, on September 23. https://www.edmontoninsightcommunity.ca//6MqbUIrl3Ca2mcrvj

Covid has brought to the surface the exact same problems around social isolation Wintermission was created to address, says Simor. The same communities hit hard because they had not planned for winter were hit hard by Covid. This includes communities that, by virtue of race, income and age, didnt have the same access to outdoor spaces, community centers and the economic resources necessary for many outdoor sports. Simor sees promise in a number of successful Wintermiss...ion pilot projects, all of which would allow the kinds of outdoor activity that flourished this summer to continue. Eau Claire has a three- to four-mile winter recreational loop that connects its downtown to the sizable University of Wisconsin campus; it was prioritized for snow plowing so that it remained clear throughout the winter. Clearing pedestrian and bike routes will be particularly important this winter, as the pandemic has prompted a mobility shift in many cities away from public transit. People are filling the gap with cycling, walking, scootering, OByrne says. We have to continue this momentum into winter by building protected bike networks, keeping sidewalks clear, and creating well-lit and sheltered routes on narrower streets or in alleys with built-in wind protection.

The data found that the number one cause for severe crashes causing major injury or death in Edmonton is drivers following too closely. The second most common cause is motorists driving off the road, followed by drivers not yielding to people who have the right of way.

We sold out so quickly, weve added another time slot for 10:30am! Register for a sunny tour of bike history in Edmonton this Saturday. Includes burrito mol and limited quantity Bike Edmonton sticker! (And if you additionally register for the Explore Bike Edmonton challenge, youll also receive free bike lights and a bell!)

Cycling advocacy in Canada, Saskatoon Cycles and Vlo Canada Bikes, has lost a dedicated voice, and we have lost a wonderful human. "During my last few days, I was so thrilled when all of you rode your bikes past my bedroom window on a slow roll. A lot of you said you were so sad about this. Well golly, get over it."

Want access to the historic Rossdale Power Plant for a tour? You can win it (and so many other things) in the Paths for People online fundraiser starting next Thursday!

A free webinar from Paths for People:

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, at approximately 10:20 a.m., police responded to the report of a hit-and-run of a pedestrian in a crosswalk at the intersection of 104 Street and 106 Avenue. The vehicle struck the pedestrian while turning south onto 104 Street from 106 Avenue, then fled the scene. The 50-year-old male pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver is described as a white or light skinned male, 30-35 years old. He is describ...ed as having a long nose with a bump on the bridge, with brown ear-length hair swept to the left side and hanging down in front of his eyes. He was wearing a brown Carhart hoodie, jeans and black work boots. The suspect vehicle is a 2009 2012 Grey Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi with stock rims, after-market mud tires and a tonneau cover. It has a distinct circular blue sticker on the rear drivers side of the cab (see photo), and may have had a company plate. Anyone with information about the suspect or this incident is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250. https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/N/MediaReleases/HitandrunSep8

Join EPSB Trustee Michael Janz for a virtual community conversation with EPSB parents about how we can promote public health by choosing to walk or wheel to school. How can we promote healthy schools and healthy communities? How can we grow already exciting and innovative approaches? How can we help community leagues and schools collaborate in a time of financial austerity? Register & join for conversations on tactics and strategies Edmonton area schools have implemented to encourage active transportation for all seasons.

Did you miss seeing the 59 metre Khasinskk bridge when it was driving down Edmontons streets on 244 wheels? Check out these photos, and learn where the old bridge is heading to!

Well be providing free tune-ups outside the gate of Mural Massive this Saturday from 4-7 pm. (Find the event on 81 Ave between 100-101 St from 2-11pm.) The event is sold out, but were just outside so you can come visit us even if you dont have a ticket!

Our Bike History of Edmonton Tour is September 19; one of the stops will be Edmontons first guerrilla, then first official bike lane! Tickets are selling fast, so get yours quickly.

The Bike Edmonton Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020, from 1-3pm at picnic site #2 of Victoria Park. 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 years 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 upda...tes about our new downtown location and COVID-19s impact, and vote on important business. Only members-in-good-standing are eligible to vote. 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 (https://bikeedmonton.ca/about/board) 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.

Nearly two years after he asked for a report on eliminating pedestrian push buttons in Halifax, what Coun. Waye Mason got back doesnt even answer the question he asked. ... Mason notes the jurisdiction scan didnt include Calgary and Edmontons downtowns, where Mason said you dont have to press a button to cross at a signalized intersection.... He tweeted a photo on Tuesday of a button he saw in Edmonton, adding, This is what I want in urban areas where data shows most people walk rather than drive. 24/7/365.

"We arent neighbours. We dont work together. We didnt grow up together. But, we have connected over our love of the city," Kubish said. Nicola Dinicola has been with the group for two years. She said the group is an extremely meaningful part of her life and is helping her battle social isolation during COVID-19. Its a complete connection to the cycling community and the broader community of Edmonton, Dinicola, who travels from Forest Heights, said.... These arent easy times that we are in, Kubish said. Coffee Outside has sort of morphed into a place where we can get away from that. We can just listen and share and talk to each other. Sharing stories is good for the heart.

The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations held a great webinar on hosting Annual General Meetings in the era of COVID. Stay tuned for our AGM announcement soon, but if youre involved in a non-profit and trying to figure out how to hold your AGM in a bylaw-compliant, regulation-compliant, & public health-compliant manner that respects your membership and is in the best interest of the organization: watch this webinar.

Does your bike need a little help to keep rolling? Were out in the community this week offering free minor tune ups!

103 Avenue, between 100 Street and 101 Street, is changing! Give your feedback in the Citys survey by tomorrow: https://www.edmontoninsightcommunity.ca//6mMPYrBzt6tLKMZLu

Big to friends of the local bike community Bryan McClean (aka the "Bryan" of Bryan & Alisons No Frills in Strathcona) and redbike Edmonton, and Opus Bike. "[10-year-old Elina Childs] was away on a camping trip earlier this month with her parents, Seann and Michelle Childs, when hoodlums broke into the familys garage, snatching Elinas prized Opus bicycle. The camping trip was a much-needed break for the family; Elina had spent the bulk of the month of July in hospital, dealing with the complications of cystic fibrosis, a disease of the lungs and digestive system."

Thankfully this can no longer happen in Edmonton, as the City no longer has bylaw-required parking minimums.

Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro said, As I drive around and I see where we put sidewalks, my instinct is, why do we need sidewalks on both sides of that street? Why do we constantly need to be repairing all these sidewalks? Everyone has a right to be able to move about their city safely and effectively, including those without cars, and those with disabilities. Well-maintained sidewalks are necessary for that. (And deferring infrastructure repair is a terrible way to try to save money, as it always leads to higher costs than regular maintenance.)

Bring your bike in for a minor tune up tomorrow at Boyle Street Community Services courtyard. Presented in partnership with Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society (Bike Edmonton)

The $3.3 billion COVID-19 Resilience Stream, part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), is a time-limited funding stream designed to support specific types of projects, including: Active transportation infrastructure, including parks, trails, foot bridges, bike lanes and multi-use paths This stream is available for up to 80% federal cost share for eligible projects, which must:... start construction by September 30, 2021 complete construction by December 31, 2021 be under $10 million https://www.canadabikes.org/federal-government-announces-c/

The new footbridge over Connors Road is open for people! The footbridge is called Khasinskk. It is one project in a busy building season in Edmonto...n. Heres the story of the footbridge: https://transforming.edmonton.ca/piecing-together-the-conn/

On Saturday while the family was camping, someone broke into their garage and stole the bike.

In Vancouver, supported by the Province of BC and TransLink, HUB Cycling has taken their in-school course learn-to-ride course for kids aged 9-12 online! Learn2Ride Online helps families learn skills to cycle safely and confidently around your neighbourhood. Great to see cities and provinces supporting families cycling.

About 10 pedestrians die on New York Citys streets in an ordinary month. Under lockdown, the city went a record two months without a single pedestrian fatality. In California, vehicle collisions plummeted 50 percent, reducing accidents resulting in injuries or death by about 6,000 per month.

A new report proposes 425 miles of interconnected bike lanes across the five boroughs. Another sees new car-free bridges into Manhattan from Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

Users can now access the most up-to-date bike routes generated by machine learning algorithms, as well as data from government authorities and community contributions.

Were looking at data such as not only location but how fast theyre cycling, how many times they have to stop, what are their stress levels, their heart rate, their heart rate irritability on specific pathways either shared pathways or unshared pathways. Were merging different types of science and research, both qualitative and quantitative, to create a very comprehensive picture of how cyclists behave within the city, said Dr. Reed Ferber, a kinesiology professor at the U of C and leader of the project, adding the overall goal of this study is to better understand where people are cycling in the downtown. Researchers are also hoping to gain valuable insight into the layout and connectivity of the citys street and cycling networks to help urban planners and developers shape future plans.

The research found that 77 per cent of people support schemes to encourage cycling and walking where they live with 6.5 people in support for every one person who is opposed to such interventions.