March 13/07 9:58 am - Velolove News

Posted by Editor on 03/13/07
 

Velolove News - Vancouver

Car-Free Drive Days Organizer Meeting
Wednesday, March 14

The secret is OUT! There will be 3 Car-Free Drive Days this summer (June 17, July 22, Aug 19)! And what's more, we have community organizers interning with us whose aim it is to initiate Car-Free Days in other commercial/residential neighbourhoods throughout Vancouver... This is all about spreading the meme of beating car-dependence and strengthening community. It's working!

If you are interested in initiating a Car-Free day in your hood, climb aboard.

Email Carmen Mills at carmen@emeraldcity.bc.ca if you want to join our crew in any capacity!


Pedal Revolutionary Bike Radio!
Thursday, March 15

And every other Thursday, from 5:00 to 6:00pm, on CiTR 101.9 FM

News about bike civic politics, chopper bikes, legal issues, bike maintenance, culture, fun and of course Critical Mass! Your hosts: Ifny, iamlachance@gmail.com, and Conrad Schmidt, ninemonkeys@blaze.ca, 604-537-2044.

Pedal Revolutionary Bike Radio needs to hear from you! If you have a bike related event or announcement, email pedalrevolutionary@gmail.com or during the show phone 604-UBC-CiTR (604-822-2487).

Web site: www.bikesexual.org/cm/radio
Listen live over the Internet: www.citr.ca/default.asp?id=19&mnu=19


Intro to Bike Mechanics for Women
Wednesday, March 15

Empowering women one bike at a time! Jett Grrl Bike Studio offers intro classes, covering flat fix, drivetrain maintenance, and basic brake adjustments. Advanced classes offered as well, plus a full service repair shop. All classes are hands on, 5 people max, w/ detailed written handout provided. Cost is $40/class.

Boys are welcome too :o)

Time: 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Place: 1925 Adanac Street near Victoria Drive (back door)

Check out www.jettgrrl.com for more details. Call 604-255-5097, or email jett_grrl@hotmail to reserve a space in one of the workshops.


Bikes Not Bombs: Fight climate change, not wars for oil
Saturday, March 17

Hey all of you beautiful, peace lovin' bikers out there,

Tom Childs will be bring the giant BIKES NOT BOMBS banner out to the March 17 rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It looked grand rigged from the big tree east of the lions at the last major ant-war demo back in October. Anyone willing to lend a hand rigging the banner are asked to be at the Vancouver Art Gallery at around 1:00pm that day. There will be a couple of thermos bottles of tea and coffee.

Peace and velolove,
Tom Childs, childst@douglas.bc.ca, 604-524-9316


BC Randonneurs 2007 Spring Social
Saturday, March 17

Snacks, Cash bar. Everyone's welcome, (yes you... again !) and only $5!

7:00 p.m.
Moose's Down Under Restaurant (www.moosesdownunder.com), 830 West Pender Street near Hornby, Vancouver

For more information, visit www.randonneurs.bc.ca


Join the VACC in the Celtic Fest Parade!
Sunday, March 18

The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) would like to invite everyone to join us in the Celtic Fest Parade on Sunday, March 18, from about 10:00am for a couple of hours through downtown Vancouver. This parade is a lot of fun and you get to show off the joys of cycling to a huge and appreciative crowd. The VACC "float" entails all of us (kids more than welcome) riding our usual or less usual bicycles with the theme of: you can do everything by bike.

Last year we had a couple on tandem in full wedding regalia with child in tow, suited "office types" with briefcases, shoppers with baguettes and cheese, a gardener with gardening tools and flowers following, a mom with a double trail-a bike with 2 kids in tow, a high-bike, a low-bike, and lots of cyclists in green for St. Paddy's. The fun will continue with a post-parade gathering at the Wolf and Hound on West Broadway (again, kids welcome).

Participation is free for VACC members and there is a $2 non-members insurance charge for others (or you can become a member and help keep Vancouver area cycling growing). Please spread the word and let us know if you can make it or if you need more information. All are welcome.

Hope to see you there,
Lisa Slakov, 604-732-5803, lslakov@telus.net

Celtic Fest Parade -- www.celticfestvancouver.com/parade.html
VACC -- vacc.bc.ca


Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 21

On the third Wednesday of every month (except August) the Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee meets 5:30pm in Committee Room 2 (on the third floor) at Vancouver City Hall (453 West 12th at Cambie) to address cycling-related issues in the city of Vancouver and advises City Council on those issues.

Guests are welcome. If you'd like to speak to the committee, please contact Nicole Ludwig at 604-871-6399 or nicole.ludwig@vancouver.ca

For more info, see www.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/civicagencies/bicycle


Midnight Mass Bike Ride
Thursday, March 22

Do you have a bike? Do you like riding it? At night? Wear some warm socks, dig up some bike lights, and pack yourself a nice hot beverage -- the next midnight ride is tonight, the night before Critical Mass.

Meet 11:45 pm at Grandview Park (Commercial Drive at Charles Street -- across from the Havana and Turks) and ride at midnight.

The ride happens the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, so mark your calendars. Tell your bike loving friends, and hope to see you there!

For more information and videos: www.midnight-mass.blogspot.com


Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition AGM
Saturday, March 24

The VACC's AGM is taking place on Saturday, 24 March 2007 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm at the North Surrey Recreation Centre (10275 - 135 Street, meeting room #2). Guest speakers are Jack Becker and John Fair, VACC members who rode from Vancouver to Madison, Wisconsin for the 2006 ProWalk/ProBike conference.

All are welcome but you must be a VACC member to vote for the board of directors.

Critical massers are welcome to attend and those participating in the inaugrual Surrey Critical Mass can attend that after the meeting.

For more information, visit www.vacc.bc.ca or contact Bonnie Fenton at blfenton@lightspeed.ca


Inaugural Surrey Critical Mass
Saturday, March 24

Speak out against the gateway project and assert the presence of a bike community in Surrey!

The date and time is set for 3:30pm on Saturday March 24, rain or shine, meeting in the plaza outside the Central City tower (the big tower at Surrey Central Skytrain). There is a VACC meeting that ends at 3pm just across the street in the North Surrey Recreation Centre building.

Planning and promotion is taking place on the new Surrey Critical Mass email list! If you'd like to join, or if you live in Surrey, please email surrey-request@lists.velolove.bc.ca?subject=subscribe. You can also signup online at lists.velolove.bc.ca/mailman/listinfo/surrey

And check this cool site and graphics by Rhiannon: surreycriticalmass.blogspot.com

Download and circulate/put-up Surrey Critical Mass posters and handouts!


WEEKLY AND ONGOING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tuesday Fixie Ride. Meet 7:00 p.m. at the Science World Gazebo (1455 Quebec Street). Info heyfixie@gmail.com
fixedvancouver.com/Forums/forums/3/ShowForum.aspx
sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/fixedvancouver/

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Wednesday Clean Air Commute Stop. Amanda & Corinne invite you to stop by during your morning commute for cappuccinos, lattes, espresso & muffins (bring your own travel mug) and warm cheer Wednesdays anytime between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. until the last one (where we welcome the arrival of spring!) on March 21. Place: 511 Union Street (at Jackson) on the Adnac bike route.

Cost is FREE for cyclists & walkers. By donation for drivers. Proceeds go to BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation) at www.best.bc.ca. Info or to RSVP: amanda_pitre-hayes@vancity.com

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Wednesday Pie Rides around Stanley Park, over to Canada Place, across to Kits, and out around UBC (if desired). Afterwards, a bite at Calhoun's on West Broadway. Meet 5:30 PM at Canada Place (west side). Info: Henry H at hulbert@vcn.bc.ca or vbc.bc.ca/upcomingrides.shtml

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Wednesday bike fixing/skills share nights at Pedal Metal Studios & the Depot, 194 West 3rd (alley entrance). Usually from 6.30 until 9pm or so. Mostly it's the bike polo folk coming in to build mallets and true wheels. Stand time by donation and some stock of used parts that sometimes has what you need.

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Friday Cruiser Ride. Weather permitting, meet 7:30pm at the Lost Lagoon Roundabout. We won't stay past 8:00pm so don't be late! Get your weekend rolling! Info: bryn@vancruisers.ca or www.vancruisers.ca

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Saturday Morning Trails Ride to the UBC Endowment Lands, Stanley Park, or another destination. Meet 9:45 am at the Coffee Shop at 6th and Arbutus. Info: Mark F at vbc@vbc.bc.ca or vbc.bc.ca/upcomingrides.shtml

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Saturday Leisure Ride following bike routes around Vancouver, going to Iona Island or crossing to the North Shore. Meet 10 am by the coffee shop at 6th and Arbutus and ride till about 1:30 pm. Info: Richard W at wardric@vcn.bc.ca or vbc.bc.ca/upcomingrides.shtml

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Saturday EastVan Bike Polo. Hot bike polo action every Saturday on the tennis courts at Grandview Park around 1:00 pm (we go elsewhere in bad weather, but usually meet at Grandview first or send someone by to grab stragglers). Bring your own bike (but not your pretty one -- the game is a little rough on bikes). Mallets are supplied (though if you get hooked, as many of us have, you'll likely want to build your own).

www.myspace.com/vanbikepolo
groups.yahoo.com/group/eastvanbikepolo

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Bike route remains unplowed or uncleared?

Although bike routes are not a priority during the initial days following a storm, they should be cleared or at least receive cursory salting. If not, contact your city or municipality engineering department. If you live in Vancouver, contact the Neighbourhood Transportation Branch of Engineering Services at 604-871-6070 or cycling@vancouver.ca

And remember, many European cities keep bike paths clear in the winter. Make sure your mayor and council know that. For Vancouver, send an email to mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca or contact individual councillors at vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/councilmembers.htm