Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society

Dear friends and fellow cyclists,

Our election advocacy meeting is tonight at the Original Joe’s at 8404 109 St from 530-630PM on Thursday, August 26th.  If you’re not able to attend, do take a look at our lobby document here.  Give us your feedback about it.  What do you want to see happen with the city’s bicycle future?  Give your election candidates feedback about it.  They need to know Edmonton wants more and better cycling infrastructure and programs!  Find more info about EBC’s election lobbying here.

The EBC Advocacy Committee has been developing an election strategy to help make cycling a major issue the upcoming municipal election. With your help, a new council will be elected with many members who will invest in cycling infrastructure and programs.

EBC has been involved with the spoke by helping with volunteer mechanics as well as resources and expertise.  Alex, EBC’s BikeWorks Coordinator, has been working closely with Kris, the spoke coordinator, to develop the program, determine and acquire the necessary parts and tools, and facilitating the actual workshops.

The spoke fosters a sense of belonging and self worth for inner city youth by providing a positive and engaging community space and hands on work experience. Volunteer mechanics work with youth, providing mentorship and skill sharing. Youth are given the opportunity to build relationships with peers and volunteers in a safe and positive environment centered on the values of cooperation, mutual respect, and the love of bikes! 

One last course on Basic Bike Maintenance for August - this Friday, August 20.  Just in time for you to fix any little squeaks or bumps before your join the bike tour of 7 community gardens on Saturday, August 21.  It’s like we planned it or something

Once again, due to high demand, we’ll be offering another Basics Mechanics course on Sunday, August 15th from 6 until 9 PM.  Please see Basics Mechanics Courseas the information is the same (except the date of course!).  Register by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

There will be a Canadian Cycling Association CanBike 2 Course offered in September

Friday August 13
6:30-9:30pm
BikeWorks 10047 80th Ave - Entrance through back alley.
Cost: $10 for EBC Members, $20 for non-members
Register by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If you want to start learning about working on your own bike but aren’t sure where to start, this course is for you!

BikeWorks recyles all unuseable bikes and scrap metal as well as all old tires and inner tubes.  So far in 2010 alone we’ve diverted over 7000 pounds of scrap metal and over 1500 pounds of tires and tubes from the landfill!

A tidal wave of demand has forced us to offer another basic bike maintenance class this week, to be held on Sunday the 25th from 6:00 until 9:00.  This class is the same as the one offered this Thursday (see earlier post: http://edmontonbikes.ca/home/more/get_to_know_your_bicycle-introduction_to_bicycle_maintenance/)

In order to be a good neighbour and comply with City bylaws (Bylaw 5590) we are asking that visitors to BikeWorks no longer park in or along the alley.  If you are loading or unloading bikes, passengers, etc. you may briefly park outside our gate.  Otherwise, ample parking is available nearby along both 101 Street and 79 Avenue, as can be seen marked in green on the above map.  Thank you for your cooperation!

Friday July 23
6:30-9:30pm
BikeWorks 10047 80th Ave - Entrance through back alley.
Cost: $10 for EBC Members, $20 for non-members
Register by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If you want to start learning about working on your own bike but aren’t sure where to start, this course is for you!

EBC is offering a Canadian Cycling Association CAN-BIKE 2 Course in late July of this year. CAN-BIKE 2 is an 18 hour, on-road cycling course. The course covers the theory of on-road cycling and practical riding techniques starting on quiet roads and working up to more complex situations. The course is suitable to all cyclists who feel comfortable on their bicycles and want to learn more about cycling safely and efficiently in traffic. This course will improve your skill and confidence in riding in challenging traffic situations. CAN-BIKE 1 is not a pre-requisite for CAN-BIKE 2. This certificate course is quite often a requirement for jobs that involve cycling.

The BikeWorks coral is once again brimming with bikes! Come lend a few hours and help us clean it up and strip useful parts off bikes on Saturday July 17th from 6 PM onwards.  Pizza and drinks for helpers!