(media release written for Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition)

VANCOUVER (Jan. 22, 2010) - You don't have to go it alone if you want to get around on two wheels during the Olympic Games. These online resources are invaluable tools for new cycle commuters and give experienced urban cyclists an opportunity to share their favourite routes with colleagues, friends and neighbours. There's also links to information on transit, bike parking, and other essential 2010 travel information.

VACC Bike to Work Commute Tracker
Track your GHG reductions, kms, and calories burned on our interactive mapping and tracking tool. It lets you compete with yourself and against other teams once you have signed in. It also lets you share mapped routes to find co-workers that you can ride in with.


City of Vancouver Bike Route Network
The City of Vancouver has an updated map of bike routes including closures and temporary bike routes here:


Bike Parking
Maps for bike parking facilities in Vancouver, at the Richmond Olympic Oval, and UBC/Thunderbird Arena can be found here:




Cycling in Cities Route Planner
Cycling in Cities is a UBC research project seeking a better understanding of the impact of the built environment on urban cycling. As part of the project, the team created an interactive map allowing users to choose a destination and find the best route to suit their needs; whether they are seeking the shortest route, least amount of air pollution, fewest hills, or even the route with the most vegetation! The map also shows important information such as 2010 security road closures, bike parking locations, and Olympic lanes.


Project Blue Sky
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have a climate goal. Project Blue Sky's goal is to 'race' the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee and its partners to that goal by collecting one billion kilometres worth of carbon-cutting contributions before March 2010. You can connect with your favourite athletes, challenge your friends, tell your story and track your carbon reductions by logging the kilometres you walk, cycle, or ride on public transit.


TravelSmart 2010
A one-stop website for those seeking to stay up-to-date on travel alerts, find out about Sea to Sky highway closures and transportation to Whistler venues, ride-sharing, airport, train, and ferries information.


In addition to these online resources, the VACC is continuing to offer its Getting Around the Games cycling workshops to organizations seeking to offer employees a safe, easy, and efficient commuting option during the 2010 Games. Full details can be found online at the VACC's website.

Labels: 2010 olympics, cycling, getting around during olympics, Vancouver, vancouver area cycling coalition

Media release written for the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition

VANCOUVER (Jan. 7, 2010) - 2009 was a big year for bicycles in Metro Vancouver. Environmental concerns, economic pressures, and increased political will combined to put pedal power front and centre. Decision-makers have rightly identified cycling infrastructure as a valuable tool in fostering sustainability. More and more people are discovering the fun, convenience, and health benefits of active transportation. But, it wasn't all downhill cruising and rain-free commutes. There were notable improvements to cycling policies and infrastructure in 2009, but  impediments to better biking continue to highlight the need for greater attention to self-propelled travel in the region.

Full story

Labels: bike helmets, bike parking, Burrard Bridge, Canada line, hst, Vancouver, vancouver area cycling coalition

This NY Times article (full text linked below) exposes the hypocrisy inherent in the mobile phone industry's lukewarm support for rules governing cel phones and driving. It also shows that despite evidence of the dangers since day one, corporate profits have (as usual) trumped public safety.

Promoting the Car Phone, Despite Risks

Martin Cooper, who developed the first portable cellphone, recalled testifying before a Michigan state commission about the risks of talking on a phone while driving.

Common sense, said Mr. Cooper, a Motorola engineer, dictated that drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Commission members asked Mr. Cooper what could be done about risks posed by these early mobile phones.

“There should be a lock on the dial,” he said he had testified, “so that you couldn’t dial while driving.”

It was the early 1960s.

Labels: cel phones, dangerous driving, road safety

COPENHAGEN, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Counting down to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) in December, the people of Copenhagen will be pedalling hard to light up the traditional Christmas tree on City Hall Square.

Tradition has it that the big Christmas tree on Copenhagen's City Hall Square is lit up with hundreds of lights. But this year it will be a different story - unless people pedal hard, that is.

During the Climate Summit, Copenhagen's City Hall Square will be transformed into a climate-friendly city called Hopenhagen Live. Until 18 December, Copenhageners and anyone else who is concerned about the environment can jump on the bikes and pedal to light up the tree - and burn a few calories while they're at it. This alternative way of lighting up the Christmas tree will save the environment a total of nine tonnes of CO2 compared to the traditional way of powering the lights.


photo: http://www.copenhagenmediacenter.com

Copenhagen is already known as the City of Cyclists, and the term Copenhagenize has become a catchword for a new concept - when cities work to encourage increased usage of this healthy and CO2-friendly means of transport. With more than 350 kilometres of cycle lanes and one third of all Copenhageners commuting by bike every day, Copenhagen truly is a bicycle city.

While the UN Climate Summit is taking place in Bella Center from 7 - 18 December, the whole city will be booming with international cultural events. At City Hall Square there will be music, exhibitions and happenings. Al Gore and Bishop Desmond Tutu will be in town, and more than 65 heads of state and government will take part in the official COP15 in Bella Center - not to mention the 100 mayors from all over the world invited to City Hall Square during the summit.

Follow the cyclists lighting up the tree at http://www.hopenhagenlive.dk/

Labels: Christmas lights, climate change, Copenhagen, cycling

Good news for a rare autumn sunny day in Vancouver! Turns out solar panels are lasting longer than expected and that fact, coupled with strong incentives from some European countries means prices are going to fall on the photo-voltaic panels that turn sunshine into electricity.

full story via the Beeb

Labels: bbc, bike sales figures europe, electricity, power prices, solar power

Beat 2010 Traffic. Bike To Work!

Getting around the city? It may end up being the toughest event of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Metro Vancouver commuters are facing nearly two months of road closures and traffic challenges.  But, there's one way to avoid the chaos. Consider biking to work. It's easier than you think and way more fun than fuming in traffic! Join MEC and the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 7pm at the Vancouver store (130 West Broadway) for great advice on:

Getting Your bike Ready
The Best Gear for Winter Riding
Safe routes in the City
Riding in Traffic
Realistic Expectations

The one hour presentation will be followed by a short question and answer session.

Are you going to be stuck in traffic, jammed onto overcrowded transit, or enjoying the peaceful, healthy experience of biking to work? Get the information you need to make the best choice for your daily commute.

Labels: 2010 olympics, cycling, mountain equipment co-op, sustainable transportation