Pete Spearing

26Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Exercise Freedom Together – Field of Crosses

Events

With the weather clearing for a while hopefully you can get a chance to take the exercise freedom together challenge in support of the Field of Crosses this weekend. The field is now set out and its worth taking the chance to go out and see it while enjoying the fresh air. Pathways should be clear of all the snow too. https://bikecalgary.org/exercise-freedom-together-supporting-the-field-of-crosses-charity/

22Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Want your say about Stephen Ave?

Uncategorized

In case you missed the open house earlier in the week, the city is soliciting feedback online between Oct. 20 and Nov. 10 at engage.calgary.ca/stephenavenue. What do you think would be a benefit for cyclists here? The pedestrian walkway is arguably Calgary’s most iconic street, featuring stores, restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs. https://engage.calgary.ca/stephenavenue

17Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

eCargo Bikes With 53% Growth in Europe are Poised to Take the World by Storm

Advertising

In 2020, concerns and practical realities like physical distancing, sustainability, climate change, micromobility and zero emissions have all taken centre stage. Electric bicycles have become key tools for people and families seeking to live safely and car-free; e-bikes are now also used by commercial businesses handling critical deliveries. E-bikes and e-cargo bikes are being heralded as the most sustainable forms of transportation. Compared to automobiles, they are more eco-friendly, much cheaper to own and build roads for, and they are extremely energy- efficient relative to other vehicles. It's no surprise that during the COVID-19 pandemic, both have become beacons of hope in the mainstream e-mobility toolbox.Read the full report in eBikes International by clicking here.

16Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Virtual Information Sessions – Eau Claire, 3rd Ave, Jaipur Bridge and Centre Street Pathway Ramp

Infrastructure

The City of Calgary is investing in Eau Claire, Chinatown and the East Village to enhance areas where Calgarians can proudly participate in a desirable, active and lively cultural destination. (thank you Bike Calgary volunteers for helping with the video, which can be seen here). The projects in the area combine flood protection, lifecycle improvements, upgrades to public spaces and walking and cycling paths, enhanced safety measures, all with the goal of building and maintaining downtown vibrancy. The virtual information sessions are taking place from the 19th to 30th October. Click the link below for more information and sign up for the numerous info sessions. https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/current-studies-and-ongoing-activities/eau-claire-public-realm-plan.html

12Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Exercise Freedom Together, supporting the Field of Crosses Charity

Events

Bike Calgary is honoured to support the Exercise Freedom Together campaign, inviting Canadians to celebrate their freedom by participating in an exercise challenge. All donations will benefit the Field of Crosses charity. Field of Crosses honours the brave Southern Albertans who sacrificed their lives in active combat, displaying 3,500 white crosses annually at Calgary’s Field of Crosses Memorial Park during the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day. Each cross bears the name of a Southern Albertan who lost their life fighting for freedom. By participating in the Exercise Freedom Together campaign, you can help keep this tradition going. We therefore challenge you to ride 3 kms or more leading up to remembrance day on the 11th November, wear a poppy and send us your pictures and post them on Facebook,…

11Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Bike Calgary pushes city to keep pedestrian, cyclist lanes open through winter

#sharedstreets, Advocacy

The City has decided to remove the mobility lanes installed in March to enable Calgarians to socially distance. Our option to this is within the Calgary Herald today. https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/bike-calgary-pushes-city-to-extend-pedestrian-cyclist-lanes-through-winter The stats show the numbers, so reviewing them in the Spring will change what? Our presentation to the city on Wednesday also provided an opportunity to obtain federal funding and create a Phase 1 of the city's long term plans. This would enable us to connect pathways and provide communities with viable mobility options, including schools, which could include some of these lanes. Speak to your Councilor and lets get some traction #yyc!

08Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Presentation to the Standing Policy Committee for Planning and Urban Development

Uncategorized

On the 7th October, Bike Calgary presented a written submission along with an in-person presentation to the committee at City Hall as part of the Committee for Planning and Urban Development. Our speech, supported by the Calgary Climate Hub who also presented, was to highlight to the committee that the 5A Map (Always Available for All Ages and Abilities) should be split into phases and the city should use this to access federal funding to enable the plan to be initiated in 2021. How can you help? Well you can help by writing to your councilor and ask them to not only support the plan to initiate phase 1 but ask them what phase 1 would look like in your Ward. Some councilors voted "no" to the city's overall plan…

04Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Mobility connections can be achieved through a 5A Network “Phase 1”

#sharedstreets, Advocacy, Infrastructure

What if we had an alternate affordable option for transportation that meant we could leave our cars at home? What if people of all abilities could access our pathway systems and it was interconnected to and within communities and allowed our children to use them to get to school safely? Suburban, New and Downtown Communities linked up to each other and to our transportation network? #sharedstreets is seeking support to enable Calgary to access federal funding to help us achieve some of this. The City has already been thinking ahead with the 5A network plan, but as we know, this detailed long term plan doesn't cater for the short term demands and needs. Councilor Jyoti Gondek explained today on CBC news how this issue impacts parts of the Ward 3…

03Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing No Comments

Be safe. Leave space

Education

There has been a lot of debate on speed limits lately in the #yyc, but education will always remain a foundation as to how we can also prevent collisions and how we act when we are sharing the streets. Driving in a residential area irrespective of the speed limit (this is a maximum after all, not a standard), should consider visibility, locations of parked vehicles, sharp or blind corners and we should always be ready to stop quickly. The City of Calgary has implemented a "Be safe. Leave space" communications campaign to help increase the awareness to people driving of the current rules for passing a person cycling on the road. https://www.calgary.ca/transportation/tp/cycling/cycling-education-and-safety/transportation-bylaw-changes.html?redirect=/safepassing From September 1, 2019 motorists driving slower than 60km/h are required by law to leave a minimum of 1…

01Oct 2020 by Pete Spearing 2 Comments

Winter Riding? In Calgary………..really? Well yes, you totally can!

Uncategorized

Article by Nigel Swytink-Binnema Some think that riding in the winter is something that requires a huge expenditure, or only for those who have cold blood running through their veins and another bike fitted specifically for the conditions. Commuting or riding a bicycle is an alien concept when our weather shifts into minus territory. Well no, this doesn't have to be the case at all and the perception that your bike has to be hung up on first snow or you need a specific bike, are false. It’s probably a lot easier than you think. Year-round riding in Calgary is actually not only fun at the weekends but very practical to commute to work or even split a journey using the LRT, if you follow some golden rules. Dress for…

Author: Pete Spearing