April 2018 Newsletter

We are excited to announce that Lars Strömgren, President of European Cycling Federation and Swedish cycling organization Cykelfrämjandet will be kicking off the Summit with “How Sweden’s National Cycling Strategy is making a difference and why Canada should have one too.”

See our updated agenda to see all confirmed speakers. Please note that early bird pricing and the ability to join us for the Education and Engagement event ends April 15th, so make sure to register today!

Need a bike while you are attending the event? We have secured the sponsorship of Ottawa-based www.rentabike.ca to provide free bicycles to all Summit registrants. These standard city bikes come equipped with a rack, helmet and lock and will be available for pick-up as early as Sunday, May 27th in the afternoon. They can be returned at any time but no later than Wednesday, May 30th at noon to their location right downtown between City Hall and Parliament. Please indicate clearly when you register for the Summit that you want to have a bicycle. You will need to provide a credit card number as security when you pick up the bike(s) but you will not be charged unless there is damage or loss. Performance upgrades can be reserved online at rentabike.ca. There is NO NEED to communicate directly with Rentabike unless you wish to reserve a higher end bicycle, you wish to use a bike for additional days before or after the Summit or you would like to book a bike tour before or after the Summit. These will be at your own cost but will support our generous sponsor. Rentabike is also a great source of local bike routes to make your stay in Ottawa a bike-tastic one!

NDP MP Johns Introduces Petition to Make Canada A Cycling Nation

OTTAWA – Canadians from coast to coast to coast are burdened by rising healthcare costs, soaring infrastructure expenditures and major traffic congestion. Cycling is a low cost, environmentally-friendly, sustainable solution to these challenges. Today, Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay-Alberni, presented a petition with 4,247 signatures calling on the Government to support his private Members’ Bill C-312, and establish a National Cycling Strategy in Canada.

“We can foster a cycling culture in Canada by making people feel safe, by providing infrastructure that supports them, and by helping potential cyclists feel confident about the rules of the road,” said Johns who has consistently biked to work on Parliament Hill every season since being elected in 2015.

“We need to do more to make Canada a cycling nation,” said Johns.

The petition was started in 2017 by Kimberley Nelson, a director with Vélo Canada Bikes.

“Thousands of Canadians have signed our petition from every single province and territory, urging the federal government to support cycling as a legitimate form of transportation. We call on Parliament to support this call for a national cycling strategy,” said Nelson.

Bill C-312 follows the example of countries such as Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands which have reaped many social benefits from increasing their cycling transportation share through the adoption of a national cycling strategy. Such a strategy requires organized efforts from local, provincial and federal governments.

“Research and experience worldwide demonstrates that countries which adopt a national cycling strategy have created thousands of good jobs while protecting the environment, the economy and the health of their citizens,” said Dr. Sara Kirk, award-winning academic, professor at Dalhousie University, and Director, Vélo Canada Bikes.

MP Gord Johns’ Bill C-312 is a multi-faceted proposal, requiring the collaboration of all levels of government, businesses and users of the road to develop cycling options across the country. This legislation helps address the social, economic, and environmental issues facing Canada today and sets clear targets for the expansion of cycling friendly infrastructure while providing a national plan for cycling education.

“This petition is an important reminder that Canadians want their Government to be a strong leader in supporting efforts to increase the number of people who cycle,” said Johns.
VIDEO: Gord Johns introduction of the petition in the House

House of Commons E-petition 1344

Bill C-312 introduction in the House by MP Gord Johns

Text of the Bill

Bike Store Day in Canada Hosted 40 Events Across Canada!

If your local bike store didn’t participate, have no fear. We are sure that this event will be a repeat next year. Check out their website for details on how to get involved for next year.

With Spring Comes Bike-To-Work Day or Week!

With events across Canada, the Petition for A National Cycling Strategy is still collecting paper signatures even though the online portion has closed. Consider having a copy at your upcoming events!

Inspired to encourage people to ride a bike? Start with your Human Resources teams at work. Lana Stewart (@modalmom on Twitter) recently posted an ad she had seen where bike infrastructure was actually mentioned in a job posting. Momentum Magazine recently posted an article with how to contact your HR Committee on How to Start A Bike Work Program.

Of Interest :

From Bike Law :

The protection for a Vulnerable Road User Act (VRU Act) was once again reintroduced today at Queens Park by Catherine Fife. The previously introduced VRU bill died when the legislature was prorogued in March 2018 and the government voted down its inclusion into their own legislation at Standing Committee.
This VRU Act brings additional minimum penalties to those who break the law, kill and maim vulnerable road users. The Act provides added penalties to those that already exist. It is the most comprehensive VRU Act across North America. It includes people who are convicted of over 40 Highway Traffic Act Offences. It shuts down the loop holes and adds minimum penalties that include mandatory driving courses, licence suspension, community service in road safety and the requirement to attend court and listen to victim impact statements.

B

Read the entire post here and join us at the National Bike Summit in May to hear from Bike Law.

From Calgary :

While focused on Calgary, the Biketown Podcast is covering topics near and dear to all bike lovers. The next episode will be talking about the National Bike Summit, but you can still listen to previous episodes to hear about women and bikes, biking with kids, cargo bikes, e-bikes and more. Subscribe today!

Keep an eye out for Momentum Magazine’s piece on Vélo Canada Bikes next week!

Have a submission for our newsletter? Send to [email protected] to get your message out.