A great way to get ready for Bike Month. Learn the skills to be safe in traffic. Not every bike route is a separated lane you know!

VACC Streetwise Course
This fun, practical and hands-on course is for anyone (16+) who’d like to be more comfortable riding in traffic. Through classroom and on-road training you’ll learn about the safest place on the road to ride, how to maneuver your bike effectively, communicate with other road users, handle riding at night and in the rain, and much more. You’ll gain the skills and confidence you need to enjoy riding in the city!
Upcoming Streetwise Courses
Saturday, March 26 – 12-4:30pm – Kitsilano Community Centre, Vancouver
Sunday, April 17 – 12-4:30pm – ING Direct downtown branch, Vancouver
Sunday, May 1 – 11am-3:30pm – Centennial Community Centre, New Westminster
Sunday, May 1 – 12 – 4:30 – Riley Park Community Centre, Vancouver*
Saturday, May 21, 12-4:30pm – Thompson Community Centre, Richmond
Sunday, May 29 – 12-4:30pm – VACC Office (3 W. 3rd Ave, Vancouver)
Sunday, June 12 – 12-4:30pm – John Braithwaite Community Centre, North Vancouver

Registration Info
Click here to register
*For the Riley Park course, please register directly with the community centre.

If you have any problems, please call the VACC office to register at 604-878-8222.

Cost:
VACC Members: $36 – a 20% discount!
Non-Members: $45 (includes 1-year membership with the VACC, including discounts at bike shops and off courses and events)
What to bring:
- your bike, in safe working order
- helmet
- bike lock
- a snack & water for the road ride

Visit the VACC website for the FAQ on this course and information on other cycling skills courses.

What direction will cycling in Vancouver take in 2012?

My latest article for Granville Online:

“It started in July 2009. The creation of a separated, protected lane for cyclists on the Burrard Bridge turned out to be just the beginning of Vision Vancouver’s ambitious plan for increasing cycling in Vancouver. In 2010, the addition of separated lanes on Dunsmuir and Hornby Streets not only created more protected routes for cyclists, they also added fuel to the fire, in what became a fractious and heated debate over the allocation of road space in the city.

Now, with the Vision Vancouver-dominated council having created a separated lane system running through the downtown core, they’re claiming it’s time to step back and take stock of the situation before launching any new initiatives. In fact, no major changes to the existing network are expected to be introduced before the next civic election. But, what might we expect after voters go to the polls, if another cycling-friendly council is installed at City Hall? Three central figures in the debate say planning, education, and communication are as important as painted lanes and concrete barriers in building the bike lane ahead.”

Complete article at Granville Online – Beyond the Vision for a pedal-happy Vancouver

(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.

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