Global TV reporter Doug Mason is doing a story on bike commuting in Calgary, looking at obstacles to taking it to the next level. He was in Montréal recently and noticed how many more cyclists there are there than here, which then led him to start asking "how can we increase the numbers in Calgary?".

Global TV's story is scheduled to run Monday June 15th at 18:00, so get your PVRs ready. If you do manage to record the story, please let us know so we can post it here for all who missed it.

I have started a citizen-based mapping project that I hope will help improve the non-vehicle directions available through Google Maps. Please help me map all inter-street walkways, unpaved pathways, parks and pathways to make travel without a vehicle appear easier using Google Maps. For more info, go to June 9th post at http://codytorgerson.com.

There was a serious accident involving life threatening injuries at 4:40 am this morning - June 8th. It occurred south of Memorial dr on the pathway near the zoo. A male and female hit head-on with speed believed to be a factor. Both were taken to hospital but the female was transported unconscious with life threatening injuries.

Watch your speed people. Even the 20 kph limit on the pathways would be the equivalent of running into a brick wall at 40 kph if done head-on with someone. At that time of morning you should also have a light on for safety.

Cycling in the City is a column by Trent Edwards published in the Calgary Herald.

Here is the latest one: Big-money upgrades change little on commute.

Coming within a week of the kickoff of the annual Calgary Commuter Challenge, Calgary's City Council has made a welcome and bold move toward sustainable transportation by closing the Langevin Bridge to cars and designating it for use only by cyclists and pedestrians.

Mayor Don Connier, addressing a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning in Bridgeland with Alderman Jo SeeSee, said "providing a disincentive to car use (due to jamming 3 lanes of Edmonton Trail traffic into one makeshift contra-flow lane on the 5th Ave Flyover) is the least we can do to encourage our citizens to make healthy, fun transportation choices." "By dedicating this bridge for pedestrian and cyclist use only, at least during a trial period", added Alderman Drew Farrow, "we are throwing our support behind the Calgary Commuter Challenge". Continues...

The Commuter Challenge returns to Calgary May 31st to June 6th. If you're a new reader on this site, this is your chance to "be less driven" and try riding a bike to work instead of a car. You'll probably find it faster, and enjoy your commute more.

The event starts with an official kick-off meeting for organizers and company admins this Friday at Eau Claire...

Hey All

Our club is hosting a fun ride - see attachment.

Feel free to pass along the info to others who might be interested. The basic idea is to ride along the river and enjoy the full moon.

BYOF (fireworks!) BYOL (lights!) BYOV (vices!)

WEATHER PERMITTING - if it is raining (and let's face it, it rains a lot here in June) the ride will be canceled.

See you there?

The next BikeCalgary board meeting takes place at CAOC on Wednesday May 20th at 19:00.

While most BC board meetings are for directors only, this one is open to all interested parties so that we can get input into what's the most pressing interest for you in your daily use of your bike for transportation, and also provide updates from the Board. Come one, come all?

This meeting will end by or before 22:00, and the BC board wants input on where best to devote its scarce resources. Are we making any headway with making Calgary more bike friendly?

Will you be attending next Wednesday?

As a side note, we're up to 930 registrations here on bikecalgary.org. Some of you must have an opinion that you want to share with the board!

On Thursday May 14, plan to attend the Right On Track art show and sale.

In this special event at The Bamboo Lounge, a number of artists will present their custom-painted bike frame, which will later that evening be placed on silent auction in support of the international charity Right To Play.

You can take a sneak preview at some of the bike frames at one of these local businesses (visit them all in turn!): Campione Cycles, Eternal Image, Group Seven, Tubby Dog, Purr, The Gallery, G'.

See you there?