“Some of our members didn’t realize just how busy and impactful we’ve been.”
– Doug Clark, incoming Bike Calgary President
Attendees at the 2023 Bike Calgary Annual General Meeting in November were impressed at how much had been accomplished in the past year, and were given a look at the organization’s longer-term strategy.
Bike Calgary shared some highlights of 2023, which included:
- Ward Rides with seven different Calgary city councillors. We use these mobile meetings to celebrate successes and point out areas for improvement with councillors in their local wards.
- Successful events, like Winter Bike Day and a screening of the documentary The Engine Inside (co-hosted with the Downtown Core Community Association), which brought people together and raised our profile in the community.
- Advocacy efforts to save the 3rd Ave S cycle track and increase 5A Network funding in the 2024 city budget adjustments. Both of these projects saw our volunteers and members write to council and speak publicly, and we are happy to report both were successful!
- Our media presence continued to grow as Bike Calgary remained a go-to source for local journalists reporting on stories like the Downtown Calgary Bike Valet and improved snow clearing in bike lanes.
Going forward, our members learned about the formal creation of the Fund Development Committee, meaning we have a team working to ensure Bike Calgary remains financially viable for years to come. The committee has been applying for grants, reviewing our registered charity status, and identifying more possible funding partners. Thanks to the committee for their hard work!
Of course, we are also continuing our public-facing work, with plans for hosting our own events throughout the year. Be on the lookout for:
- Winter Bike Day 2024
- A community ride to celebrate Bike Month in June
- Fall movie screening and fundraiser
- Winter education session on the rights and duties of a cyclist
All these, and more, will support our three pillars of education, advocacy, and community in the next year.
Finally, another highlight was the election of our new board of directors: Doug Clark (President), Leithan Slade (Vice President), Kevin Pitzel (Treasurer), Duncan Milne (Secretary), Brad Randall, Molli Bennett, Jorge Bermudez, Volker Mendritzki (Directors at large).
Bike Calgary extends a huge thanks to all outgoing, new and returning board members for their dedication and passion for improving cycling for all in Calgary.
Keep in touch with Bike Calgary! We publish an email newsletter every two months–sign up here. You can also find us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X), or check out our events page to see what’s planned.