(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

The City of Vancouver has just launched its new Media Room. A great resource for learning about city initiatives, finding out more about the public art in our midst, and delving into the history (and current events) that have shaped Vancouver.

My contributions as a writer-producer and/or editor include:

Cycling Network
Hinge Park
Bridge To A Cool Planet

But there are lots of other interesting and informative videos to enjoy as well. Check it out!

Labels: city projects, climate change, history, media, Olympics 2010, public art, streaming video, Vancouver

Nov. 17, 2009 – Getting around Vancouver will be challenging during the Winter Olympics. To address the issue, the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition is encouraging commuters to consider biking to work. Thanks to positive feedback from cyclists during Bike to Work Week (Nov. 2 - 8) and continuing support from TransLink, the VACC is extending its commuter station program for cyclists until the end of December and offering workplace programs to educate commuters on the 'how-to' aspects of riding their bike to work. Six additional stations (dates and locations below) will be available in the coming weeks, for commuter cyclists to stop by and enjoy a hot drink and free snack, get advice on winter maintenance and equipment suggestions, and enter to win a variety of bike-friendly prizes. In addition, special holiday themes at some of the stations will help reinforce the fun aspects of cycling, regardless of weather conditions.

"There's no doubt that cold and wet weather can be a barrier to winter bike commuting," says VACC representative Lisa Slakov. "The commuter stations are a way to reward those year-round cyclists who stick with sustainable transportation choices. They are also a great place to provide advice on equipment, clothing, and safe routes for those who are just starting out."

In addition to the extra commuter bike stations, the VACC is offering riding workshops designed to help those looking for an easier way to get around during the 2010 Olympic Games. Workplaces and other organizations can take advantage of the program's sensible advice on safety and equipment, promoting realistic expectations, and offering potential cycle commuters the moral support they need to overcome perceived barriers.

"How do I get started? Not being able to answer that question seems to be the biggest roadblock to those wondering if biking to work is right for them," says Slakov. "Our workshops help people find the right answers. With the Winter Olympics coming and road closures soon to be affecting many parts of the region, we want people to know that getting to work by bike is a great way to avoid the frustration of traffic jams and transit overcrowding."

WINTER BIKE TO WORK COMMUTER STATIONS

Date: Friday Nov. 20
Location: Central Valley Greenway at Gilmore Way (Home Depot)
Time: 07:00-09:00

Date: Thursday Nov. 26
Location: SW corner of Burrard Bridge
Time: 16:30 - 18:30

Date: Friday Dec. 4
Location: Cambie and 10th Ave (West side of Cambie)
Time: 07:00-09:00

Date: Thursday Dec. 10
Location: Frances/Union bike route between Fell Ave and Kensington Ave
Time: 16:30 - 18:30

Date: Friday Dec. 18
Location: Ontario and 33rd, Vancouver
Time: 07:00-09:00

Date: Tuesday Dec. 22
Location: Union and Main (Adanac/Union bike route)
Time: 16:30 - 18:30

For more information on getting your organization involved in Bike to Work programs, please visit: http://www.biketoworkmetrovan.ca/

WINTER BIKE COMMUTING WORKSHOPS

For more details on the Winter Bike Commuting Workshops, including how your company or organization can participate, visit http://vacc.bc.ca/cycling/cycling.php?pageID=39#2 or contact the VACC office:

Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
Phone: 604-878-8222
Email: admin@vacc.bc.ca
Website: www.vacc.bc.ca

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Contact: Chris Keam
ckeam@telus.net
604-780-6125

Labels: 2010 olympics, bike commuting, bus overcrowding, sustainable transportation, traffic jams, translink, Vancouver, winter games, winter riding

My latest article is online at the Tyee. Find out who's behind the Big Apple's transportation system reboot.

Why New York Enticed Translink Chief
When Translink CEO Tom Prendergast starts running NYC's transit system, he'll have a visionary ally in Janette Sadik-Khan.
By Chris Keam

Translink's challenges are once again in the spotlight, with a damning ministry report preceded by last week's announcement that CEO Tom Prendergast is leaving Vancouver to become the president of New York City Transit. The reasons for Prendergast's decision, rumored and official, include Translink troubles and Big Apple opportunities. But one largely unmentioned reality that surely played a role in Prendergast's decision is the powerful compatriot he will have in Janette Sadik-Khan. (Read the full article)

Labels: commuting, cycling, new york city, sustainable transportation, translink, Vancouver

photo: The Challenge Series

Have you walked by the Olympic Village and wondered where the little creek in the newly-built Hinge Park comes from and what its purpose might be? Wonder no more! Instead, watch the short video I recently edited for gvtv.ca for an overview of the park, the stream, and the sustainable techniques behind them.

Labels: 2010 olympics, hinge park, southeast false creek, sustainable building, Vancouver, water filtration

I wrote an editorial appearing in today's edition of the Vancouver Sun. Although it carries my byline, I must acknowledge the help of Mary Sherlock and Arno Schortinghuis for their help with the raw materials, and Richard Campbell and Rob Wynen for advice and direction with the tone and tack of the piece.

Here's the first paragraph:

One month after the opening of bike lanes on the Burrard Bridge, it's a little hard to remember what all the fuss was about. Drivers haven't suffered from the change. Communications efforts before the trial began, publicizing the upcoming change and suggesting alternate routes clearly paid off. Unsurprisingly, cyclists and pedestrians are lauding the new arrangement. The increased safety both user groups now enjoy has turned uneasy confrontations into peaceful coexistence. Hopefully, these outcomes will spur further initiatives to create the separated, protected facilities that make walking and biking in the city a safe option for people of all ages and abilities.

And a link to the full article

Labels: bike lane trial, Burrard Bridge, cycling, pedestrians, Vancouver

June 23, 2009 - City of Vancouver communications and neighbourhood transportation staff gave a special media briefing Tuesday, explaining some of the details and logistics surrounding the upcoming $1.4 million cycling lane reallocation trial on the Burrard Bridge.

Here are seven things about the upcoming trial cyclists and pedestrians should know. Feel free to post questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. If you’d like to know more, read the media briefing for more detail on the plans at this Vancouver Sun link, take a look at the city’s lane reallocation technical details web page, or keep it brief with this summary backgrounder. (All images below are from the City of Vancouver reports)

1. Monday, July 13 is the big day. Barriers, lane painting, and roadwork will be done the weekend previous. Expect the bridge to be ready for your morning commute unless bad weather the previous week delays roadwork. Banners reminding drivers of the change will go up on the bridge at the end of the month and a three week media blitz will commence.



2. A particularly nasty section of road where northbound cyclists currently leave the bridge and merge with eastbound traffic on the north side of the bridge should see some improvements -- with the addition of a bike lane and bike boxes on the stretch between Burrard and Hornby making it easier for cyclists to use the Hornby Street bike lanes as a route into the downtown core. A slip lane will allow bikers to cross over the eastbound car lane and continue north on Burrard, but extreme caution will be the order of the day as this problematic intersection may yet retain some of its inherent dangers.



3. All pedestrians will be using the west sidewalk. Apparently, city data suggests two-thirds of walkers already use this side, perhaps because of the ocean view. The best place to get over to the east side of Burrard before you get to the bridge itself is at First Ave.



4. Cyclists will have the benefit of barriers on both their protected lanes. With the lack of pedestrians to act as deterrents to excess speed, it will be instructive to see if any new safety issues related to cyclists passing each other arise.

5. Bike lanes on Pacific and Burrard on the northwest side of the bridge should give cyclists a clear route onto their new protected lane of southbound road space on the bridge deck.

6. There was no commitment to an end date, meaning that an unsuccessful trial can be abandoned early, despite assurances from the City that a report will be prepared after three months.

7. Buses heading south on the bridge will see their bus lane extended past Pacific Boulevard, so that buses will have some measure of priority when getting onto the bridge. If transit experiences severe and prolonged congestion problems, engineers may implement special transit phasing of traffic lights at the intersection to keep buses moving.

Labels: bikes, Burrard Bridge, cycling, lane reallocation, pedestrians, Vancouver

A two-wheeled tour of Vancouver

Labels: carbusters, cycling, Vancouver

 June 24th, 6pm - the Bike Doctor

137 West Broadway, Vancouver (across from MEC)

Join the Bike Doctor for an Indian travel adventure. Based near the state capital of Panjim, Ulrike rode, wrote and photographed her time on two wheels for six months. Learn how to: stay cool cycling in tropical heat, drink Indian tap water, bellow "Let's Go!" in Hindi, use a Goan pig toilet, cycle-camp, Indian style.

Ulrike Bemvinda Rodrigues writes about culture, cycling, travel, and magic for magazines and websites. She's solo-cycled in India, Thailand, Laos, Cuba, Mexico, New Zealand and North America. She's considering writing a  book.

 www.ulrike.ca, www.girlgonegoa.wordpress.com

Labels: bike doctor bike store, bikes, cycle touring, events June bike month, female travelers, goa, india, ulrike rodrigues, Vancouver

Labels: bmx, cycling, mtb skills development, Vancouver, Vanier Park dirt jump park

Labels: BCIT, bike in a box, burnaby, eco-friendly education, pedal powered shop teacher training, teacher training, Vancouver

A public open house to examine the prospect of a BMX track and mountain bike skills park in Vanier Park drew plenty of area residents and proposal supporters to the H.R. MacMillan Planetarium on March 31^st. Kits Points residents are saying ‘enough already’, claiming their part of town is inundated with fun-seekers, while bike park proponents under the Facebook banner of the Vancouver Dirt Jump Coalition have a fearsome PR edge with the ‘eco-friendly, get the kids outside exercising’ aspect of their proposal.

 The project in question is a combination of jumps and berms made from dirt and clay, as well as wooden structures such as log rides and teeter-totters designed to train riders and build the skills necessary for tackling advanced trails on the North Shore. There are a number of other such skills parks in the Metro Vancouver region including five built by the local company of Hoots Inc.

 Although the meeting did clear up some misconceptions regarding the proposed facility (fears of gas-powered motocross events and X-Games sized spectacles were dispelled) residents weren’t necessarily mollified. While having little dispute with the proposal as outlined, Kits Point resident Gloria Sully expressed concern regarding “creeping incrementalism.” She’s worried the small quiet dirt jump park will one day be a much larger, louder venue. Another Kits Point resident, Kelly Johnston pointed out the proposal would mean loss of habitat for the Cooper’s Hawks and rabbits currently living in the unused patch of land. Judging by comments made at the open house, it appears unlikely the Kit’s Point Residents Association will be supporting the dirt jump park idea.

 Also on hand to get a sense of the scale of the proposal were Christopher Gaze and Rob Barr from Bard on the Beach. The annual Shakespeare play series raises its tents near the area where the dirt jump park would be built. Gaze notes that while they deal with the vagaries of outdoor theatre quite well, their concern is with noise levels or bright lights during performances. The Bard on the Beach series has a $3.5 million dollar annual budget.

Homeless people have also been taking advantage of the space as a camp. Where they will go when the area is cleaned up and turned into a bike park is unclear at this time.

Supporters of the proposal however, may have the strength in numbers and weight of public opinion to carry the day. Their Facebook group currently boasts over six hundred members and a dedicated community of riders eager to see a city-approved park in a showcase location. And, it’s hard to argue against a facility that gets kids of all ages and skill levels out biking in the fresh air. Even if the facility does prove to become a haven for drug-dealing, gang recruiting, and general youthful mayhem as critics are warning, its proponents are quick to point out the site can easily be bulldozed, decommissioned as a dirt jump park, and returned to its current state.

 Mark Vulliamy is the Manager of Research and Planning in charge of the proposal for the city. He was happy with both the turnout and the information he gained from the meeting. 

“People want planning to be done in a sensitive way,” he says. “There was strong support but also some strong anxiety.”

Vulliamy says they want to ensure there are no points of friction, especially with Bard on the Beach. He doesn’t want loud events competing with Shakespeare plays and says many people also want to ensure the woodland is protected. A desirable outcome, says Vuiliamy, would having the bikers who use the facility helping with stewardship of the surrounding area.

The open house also drew the attention of at least three Park Board commissioners. Sarah Blyth, Constance Barnes, and Aaron Jasper from the Park Board were seen at the meeting. All seemed supportive of the bike park proposal.

(dirt jump picture courtesy of Vancouver Dirt Jump Coalition)

Labels: bard on the beach, bmx, cycling facilities, dirt jumping, Kits point, mtb skills development, Shakespeare, Vancouver, Vanier Park dirt jump park

“It will make the chicken debate look calm,” notes Vancouver Councillor Geoff Meggs during the March 18th meeting of the city’s Bicycle Advisory Committee. He’s referring to the expected protestations from drivers, regarding the hoped-for implementation of a two lane reallocation trial on the Burrard Bridge later this year… and referencing the uproar that ensued when council advanced the idea of allowing city residents to keep chickens. And while much laughter accompanies Meggs’ mention of urban poultry, everyone in the room knows the first few days of the lane reallocation may be the make or break moment for the proposal.

And if the trial doesn't work out, cyclists can all buy water-bikes and still get across False Creek via pedal power without sucking exhaust fumes or dodging pedestrians!

Meggs’ comments come at the end of a report on trial preparations by David Rawsthorne, the city engineer tasked with the unenviable job of balancing the needs of advocates and critics, overcoming traffic flow challenges, and making the reallocation trial a reality. Rawsthorne is here on his day off, fielding questions and concerns from the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and asking the B.A.C. to make a motion formally supporting the two-lane trial. It’s the urban design equivalent of grunt work, the meetings and discussions armchair experts don’t have to engage in when proclaiming their ‘obvious’ solutions to improving a traffic network that moves millions of people around Metro Vancouver every day. Rawsthorne faces a friendly crowd tonight however. Committee members are eager to see this initiative gain momentum.

Two issues dominate the discussion. Identifying the feeder routes that will funnel cyclists to the bridge and ensuring communications between the public, media, and city representatives relay factual information and helpful solutions during the transition.

Advisory Committee members want to make sure that nearby bike routes aren’t flooded with drivers seeking shortcuts, a situation that could actually dissuade cyclists from the most sensible paths to the bridge and likely to raise the ire of area residents. They want the City to identify the best ways to get cyclists to the new lanes and make sure they’re clearly marked. Luckily, monitoring traffic and putting up signage is pretty straightforward. Good data and a small budget are all that’s needed to bring the bikers to the bridge.

Sharing the good news however, may not be as cut and dried. Meggs says council is going to need to know exactly how the trial is going from the outset. The media will be eager for comment. Critics will be ready and willing to exploit any flaws be they real or perceived. Everyone recognizes the threat to the trial inherent in a basic tenet of the news business. “Two Lane Trial Goes Unnoticed” isn’t the kind of headline encouraging one to take a free copy of the papers proffered by orange and green smocked human newsstands seemingly stationed at every busy street corner and transit hub in the downtown core.

And there it sits. No date has yet been set to take the matter before council, but the day approaches. When it does, judging from City Council’s interest in the process, approval seems likely. At that point, it’s a matter of a couple months to put barriers and signage in place and get the trial underway. A big change to the bridge seems imminent. This summer, be it a Point Grey gathering with canapés and champagne, or a Mount Pleasant kegger featuring quinoa and cannabis, determining whether that change is for good or ill is bound to be one hot topic.

Labels: Burrard Bridge, city council, cycling, lane reallocation, Vancouver

I sent a letter to the Georgia Straight after Ted Laturnus got the physics of cycling way wrong–in a cruiser bike review he wrote in place of the usual auto-philia. But the editors left out all the good stuff. Below, the de-evolution of a perfectly good 'pwning'

Labels: cruiser bike, cycling, georgia straight, physics, ted laturnus, Vancouver