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Thousands Play in Oakland’s Streets at the First-Ever ‘Oaklavia’
by David Wieser 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

On Sunday, June 27th, Downtown Oakland opened two miles of its streets to fun and activities—zumba dancing, circus arts, BMX bike competitions and performances from local musicians. See the video at http://www.streetfilms.org/thousands-play-in-oaklands-streets-at-the-first-… Also check out Velo-City 2010: Copenhagen Bike Parade, another great video. http://www.streetfilms.org/velo-city-2010-copenhagen-bike-parade/ David

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Bicycle rush hour in Utrect (Netherlands)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Jun '10

30 Jun '10

Perhaps we can imagine that one day Winnipeg will have this type of rush hour? (Thanks to Erik Dickson for sending along the link.) -Happy Canada Day, Beth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-AbPav5E5M [Accompanying text with video...] Morning rush hour in the 4th largest city in the Netherlands. Streets look like this when 33% of ALL trips are made by bicycle! This is an ordinary Wednesday morning in April 2010 at around 8.30 am. Original time was 8 minutes that were compressed into 2 minutes, so everything is 4 times faster than in reality. The sound is original. This is one of the busiest junctions in Utrecht a city with a population of 300,000. No less than 18,000 bicycles and 2,500 buses pass here every day. And yet Google Street View missed it. Because private motorized traffic is restricted here. These cyclists cross a one way bus lane (also used by taxis and municipal vehicles), two light rail tracks and then a one way street that can be used by private vehicles. Behind the camera is a railway (you can hear the squeaking sounds of the trains passing) and the main railway station is very close too. A number of rental bikes from the station pass and many of the cyclists will have come by train for the first part of their commute. For those who frown upon the total absence of bike helmets in this video, consider these findings from a US study: "Cycling in the Netherlands is much safer than in the USA. The Netherlands has the lowest non-fatal injury rate as well as the lowest fatality rate, while the USA has the highest non-fatal injury rate as well as the highest fatality rate. Indeed, the non-fatal injury rate for the USA is about 30 times higher than for the Netherlands. Injury rate per million km cycled: USA 37.5; NL 1.4 Fatality rate per 100 million km cycled: USA 5.8; NL 1.1" From: Pucher, John and Buehler, Ralph (2008) 'Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany'. http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/puc...

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Globe & Mail: 2 wheels = sex appeal
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jun '10

28 Jun '10

[A little Monday morning humour under sunny bright skies. -Beth] 2 wheels = sex appeal A dude who cycles to where he needs to go is a hotter prospect than that guy in the Ferrari http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/family-and-relationships/2-wheels-sex-a… by Micah Toub A couple weeks ago, I was cycling down Queen Street in Toronto when I was serendipitously swept up in a mass ride celebrating Bike Month. It was fun to be taking over the street with this two-wheeled mob, but I have to admit I also felt a little dorky as chic shoppers gazed at us from the sidewalk, bewildered. I imagined approaching one of them at a bar. "So, do you come here often?" I'd ask, shuffling my hair, trying to remove the strange sculptures created by my helmet. "Maybe. What car do you drive?" I'd explain that I came on a bike, and then I'd get the blow-off. But then I looked around at all the spirited cyclists surrounding me, and my mind changed gears. It hit me that biking is, in fact, a far sexier way to get around than by car. Think about it: Dudes on bikes have advanced cardiovascular endurance, can expertly handle delicate moving parts, and have the ability to ride far more of the city's curves. Now, before all you suburbanite commuters and car enthusiasts toss the newspaper aside or punch your computer, let me say this: I am one of you, too. I grew up in the 'burbs and I loved my dad's 1977 Jeep Cherokee almost as much as my dog Sadie. I still love hitting the open road in a rental car for long trips. But on a day-to-day basis, if a guy can cycle to where he needs to go, he'll simply be a hotter prospect than that guy in the Ferrari. To get an, ahem, unbiased opinion from a woman, I talked to Amy Walker, one of the founders of Momentum, a Vancouver-based magazine for "self-propelled people." She agreed with me, though she began with a more relationship-oriented, poetic explanation. "When you go on a date with someone in a car, you're tied together and only one person is driving, so it's a dominant and passive relationship," she said. "When you're both on a bike, you're both in control. You're two people who have free will and are governing themselves but choosing to ride together. I really like that metaphor." Ms. Walker added that guys who bike have also found a way to kill three birds with one stone, and thus attractively maximize their time: "They ride to get to their job, they're being environmentally responsible and . they also end up having a beautiful ass," she informed me. This last point - the well-defined behind - was mentioned by each of the half-dozen women I spoke to. (Strangely, nobody mentioned the sex appeal of the amazingly well-shaped ankle muscle of a driver's clutch foot.) Tovi Heilbronn, a road racer and head of online sales for Toronto bike shop La Bicicletta, humbly admitted - only when directly questioned, of course - that he has more than once been complimented on his rock-solid seat cushion. "When girls see you in your whole racing get-up, your spandex team racing kit, well, I've had compliments that it's attractive," he said. (He admitted, however, that some women have been thrown off by his shaved legs.) Mr. Heilbronn also gave me his take on the comparison with drivers: "Think about it for a second. This guy has basically thrown tons of money into this object that is depreciating by the minute, it's terrible for the environment, and he doesn't have to be in shape to get around. What's so cool about that?" The last thing I want to do, though, is incite more divisiveness. There can be friendship between the two- and four-wheeled families. In fact, on occasion, people from across the car-bike divide fall in love and get married. Picture my friend Melissa, wearing her shades as she accelerates through the city, the top of her bright red Audi convertible down, her brunette hair flowing in the wind. She arrives to meet Pat for a first date. Lightly perspiring, Pat enters with bike helmet in hand, adjusting his beautiful mane of blond hair. "I found it a little nerdy," Melissa admitted. "I had been living in L.A. and it was a bit of a culture shock coming to Toronto and everyone is on their bike, even in their 30s and 40s." But Melissa says she came to love this aspect of Pat's personality. "He really genuinely cares about the city and he genuinely cares about doing good things about the environment," she said. "He's not just saying it - he really does mean it. Also, it helps him stay in shape and it helps his stress load a lot." But these star-crossed lovers haven't always had it easy over the years they've been dating. "Everyone in Pat's circle cycles, so sometimes I feel a bit shy that I have a nice car," Melissa told me. "We went to a party the other day and there were about 30 bikes locked up on the fence. We parked a block away." For Pat's part, he respects Melissa's choice to get around by car. "I'm a proud cyclist, but not a get-on-the-soapbox cyclist," he says. "Her car is a testament to 16 years of success with a company, a reward for services," Pat said, turning around the old stereotype of a woman getting turned on by a man's status symbol. The two will be married next year. (How they'll get to the wedding is still to be decided.) Let me backpedal a little bit more. Certainly there's a time and a place for getting behind the wheel - those with long commutes or lots of kids couldn't do without cars. I'm just saying, if you want to optimize your sexiness factor - mental, political, and physical - it might be time to acquire a two-wheeled steel beast. (You suburbanites have even more hotness to gain, given the great distances you have to cover on errands.) And the next time you're dissed by some girl at the bar, I can guarantee she'll regret it as she watches you walking away. Micah Toub's memoir, Growing Up Jung: Coming of Age as the Son of Two Shrinks, will be published in the fall of 2010.

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Bike To Work Day Morden 2010
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

Did you know that Winnipeg is not the only community in Manitoba celebrating Bike to Work Day this Friday? Morden is also putting on a cycling event (poster attached) that also includes walkers and rollerbladers, and a host of other activities. For more information, find Kelly Stock's contact info below. cheers, Beth 925-3772 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Kelly Stock [mailto:kellystockmstw@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 12:03 PM Subject: Bike To Work Day Morden 2010 Hello everyone, Please find attached a poster for the upcoming Bike To Work Day event in Morden on Friday, June 25th. Feel free to promote the event at your workplace throughout the week! Join other cyclists for a free breakfast, compliments of ARocha Prairie Canada, at the United Church parking lot from 7-8:30am, followed by a FREE film night with popcorn and drinks at 7pm at the Morden Library. Walkers and rollerbladers are welcome as well!! Hope to see you there! For those of you who weren't able to pick up a rain barrel last Thursday I will be selling barrels at the Morden Farmers Market again this week from 4 - 6:30pm. Take care, -- Kelly Stock Climate Change Coordinator MSTW Planning District 1-204-822-6223 Please consider the environment before printing this email. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss, "The Lorax"

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8-80 Cities and ISCA offering amazing youth leadership scholarships
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

[apologies for duplicate postings] A Fantastic Opportunity for Youth this Fall! We are offering FOUR Youth Scholarships to the International Academy in Denmark Location: Ollerup, Denmark Start date: August 15, 2010 End date: December 19, 2010 Application deadline: July 13, 2010 by 9:00am 8-80 Cities in partnership with International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) is honoured to offer two Canadian and two Mexican youth the opportunity to receive an exciting four month international scholarship. Honourees will participate in the International Youth Leadership Education program with the International Academy, INTAC in Ollerup, Denmark from August 15th, 2010 to December 19th, 2010. The aim of this scholarship is to develop strong community leaders who understand the important role leadership and sport can play in developing more vibrant, equitable and sustainable communities. By taking part in this program, participants will learn and engage in an academic environment with Danish youth and approximately 30 other international students. This unique experience supports the development of leadership skills by combining organizational management, leadership theory and sports education and will develop skills applicable to volunteer organizations, sports associations and non-profit organizations. As part of the scholarship, honourees will receive: 1) Paid tuition for the 17 week program 2) Paid room and meals at the International Academy (2 youth per room) 3) Receive an International Youth Leader Education-diploma from the International Sport and Culture Association 4) Possibility for credit transfers as a part of a student's university education requirement 5) Europass Mobility Passport recognized by more than 31 European countries (the initiative is supported by EU, Council of Europe and UNESCO and is a part of the Bologna declaration) Honourees are required to pay for travel and personal expenses. Refer to application form for more details. We strongly encourage all that are eligible to apply. For those interested in applying, review the Scholarship information and complete the Application Form before July 13, 2010 9:00am. Honourees will be notified by July 16, 2010. For more scholarship information and to download the application form for Mexican Residents, visit http://www.8-80cities.org/isca.html To apply: To send in an application please include a) your completed scholarship application form, b) your resume, and c) three references and their contact information (only one reference can be a family member. Send your application and attachments via email to Sydney Luong, Communications Manager for 8-80 Cities at register(a)8-80cities.org For more information About Ollerup- International Academy, INTAC: www.ollerup.dk/?id=57 About course contents: http://ollerup.viggonet.dk/ollerup/hp/files/file/Internationale/INTAC%20fol… Details on living arrangements, code of conduct and access to school facilities, visit the FAQs: http://www.ollerup.dk/?id=54

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On-street bike parking comes to Winnipeg!
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

Hi everyone, In case you haven't seen them yet, or are wondering where the heck they came from, here are a few pics and a bit of background on the "on-street bicycle parking" downtown. The Winnipeg Parking Authority is piloting a total of 10 on-street bike racks this summer. These portable units - essentially a pad with a bike rack bolted on top - are placed in a parking spot on the street. It sure shows how many bikes (and therefore people) you can accommodate with one parking spot for a car. This also frees up sidewalk space for pedestrians, buskers, sidewalk cafes and street furniture (benches, planters, etc). Keep an eye out for the racks elsewhere around downtown this summer! cheers, Beth 925-3772

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Register for Bike to Work Day
by Erik Dickson 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

Hi Everyone, If you haven't registered yet for the 3rd Annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg, then please register now! It's easy and FREE! Just go to www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org and click Register in the top right corner then fill in your information. You'll be entered to win great prizes like a new bike from Natural Cycle. Then THIS FRIDAY JUNE 25, ride your bike to work. Stop by the Forks from 7:00 - 9:00 AM for a free pancake breakfast. There are also 5 bike oasis scattered around the city where you can stop for some refreshments and encouragement then join a group ride to the Forks. Group rides leave each oasis at 7:15 AM. Click on "Where and When" on the Bike to Work Day webpage for more details. It is very important for everyone to register as we want to show how important cycling is in Winnipeg with a great turn-out. Please forward this on to all your friends, family and coworkers so that we can make this the most successful Bike to Work Day Winnipeg yet! There are also volunteer opportunities still available. Please contact stephen.winnemuller(a)biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org if you would like to help. Volunteers get Happy Hour all night at the Bike to Work Day After Party at Lo Pub. Regards, Erik Dickson B.Sc. (Hons) Marr Consulting Services 8th Floor - 136 Market Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0P4 Phone: (204) 927-3456 ext. 242 Fax: (204) 927-3443 Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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The costs of a stop sign
by David Wieser 19 Jun '10

19 Jun '10

An interesting look at the cost of stop sign, the benefits of rounadbouts and a new road sign "Take Turns", from Gary Lauder. http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_lauder_s_new_traffic_sign_take_turns.html David Wieser

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Winnipeg Bicycle Valet - Volunteer Opportunities
by David Wieser 13 Jun '10

13 Jun '10

Interested in promoting cycling as a form of active transportation in your city? Join an exciting new venture – Winnipeg Bicycle Valet! Winnipeg Bicycle Valet, a project of Bike to the Future, is currently accepting applications for the following four volunteer positions: Sponsorship Coordinator <http://bit.ly/bbqVAM> Volunteer Coordinator <http://bit.ly/crZUwk> Graphics and Website Coordinator <http://bit.ly/9HMwzz> Communication and Media Coordinator <http://bit.ly/9ZY52Z> *If your organization would be interested in offering a bicycle valet at your next event, please contact David Wieser at WinnipegBicycleValet(a)gmail.com*

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Tandem Tour at The Forks tonight
by Beth McKechnie 04 Jun '10

04 Jun '10

Looking for something to do tonight? The Tandem Tour (www.thetandemtour.com) has rolled in to Winnipeg and is hosting a fundraiser event tonight at The Forks. These four U of Vic students are riding 6,000 km across Canada in support of charities regarding: diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, and a conservation group called Friends of Redtail. Come out to support their efforts and check out their 4-person tandem bike (weighs 900 lbs!). 4 guys, 4 causes and 1 bike.

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