Community Spotlight on Active Transportation
Community Cruisers Bike All Winter program busts barriers to winter cycling
All Bow Valley residents are comfortable choosing cycling as their preferred way of getting around, no matter their age, ability or financial means: that’s the vision of Bow Valley-based non-profit organization Community Cruisers, who have been promoting cycling for transportation in the Valley since 2007. They continue to expand their reach every year with new programs and offerings, such as opening The Hub Banff, a brand-new community bicycle workshop in The Fenlands in November 2021.
Community Cruisers’ program Bike All Winter is specifically designed to eliminate barriers to winter cycling in the Bow Valley – and it works: during their inaugural season in 2020-21, 84% participants rode their bikes 2 or more days per week in the winter, compared to 80% of participants only riding 0 or 1 days before they joined the program. An impressive 100% of participants said they would ride their bike next winter and encourage others to do the same. As for the positive climate impact, Community Cruisers estimates that the combined 2020-21 and 2021-22 Bike All Winter programs avoided 9.4 tonnes of GHG emissions.
Bike All Winter was inspired by a successful initiative in Ontario, and Community Cruisers volunteers decided to adapt the program for Banff and Canmore. When the group looked at why people avoid biking in the winter, they found people’s main concerns are lack of confidence and a financial barrier to getting the proper equipment such as studded tires, lights, and fenders. Addressing these concerns is exactly how Bike All Winter finds its success. “You don’t necessarily have to have studded tires to bike in winter,” says Jen Tweddell, Community Cruisers President, “but if you have trepidation, studded tires are a game changer because people can gain that confidence.” Mentorship is also a key component of the program. Participants are paired with experienced winter riders, who can answer questions or take participants out on that first ride to share skills and build confidence.
Tweddell says some small changes can make a big difference to get folks out winter cycling for the first time. For instance, lowering the height of the saddle lowers the cyclists’ centre of gravity, maintaining balance and stability; reducing tire pressure increases grip on snow and ice; and slowing it down, just like a driver would on winter roads, helps prevent slips and falls.
Whether you’re looking to apply for the program, seeking an affordable bike, have skills to donate, or simply want to stay tuned for upcoming Community Cruisers events, there are many ways to get involved:
Sign up for Community Cruisers newsletter
Visit a community workshop: drop-in hours are Wednesdays 5-8pm in Canmore at the Recreation Centre, and Tuesdays 5-8pm in Banff at The Fenlands
Have a spare bike? Donate it now to the Community Cruisers bike drive, so volunteers can fix it up and sell back into the community during the busy spring season
Community Cruisers programs are run with support from Banff Canmore Community Foundation, Town of Canmore, Town of Banff, and the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation.
If you know of a community organization or project you think we should feature in an upcoming Shift newsletter, reach out to us at resource@biosphereinstitute.org
Climate News
'Climate Action Plan emphasizes importance of net-zero national building code' via Rocky Mountain Outlook
'Where will Canada's electric vehicle batteries go when they die?' via Narwhal
'How our daily travel harms the planet' via BBC
Local Events
February 16, 7pm: Electrifying Calgary - Calgary Climate Hub, free, webinar
March 4, 7 - 8pm: A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Photographer, with John Marriot - Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, $5 or free for members
March 9, 12 - 1pm: Panel: How can we prepare our businesses and communities for a zero-emission vehicle future? Bow Valley Climate Action Society, free, webinar
March 16, 7:30 - 8:30pm: Community Innovation Panel: How can we reduce building emissions together? Bow Valley Climate Action Society, free, webinar
March 22 and April 7, 7pm: Intro to Bike Maintenance for Women, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities - Bicycle Café Canmore, Free
Missed our webinar, "What's it like to own a zero emission vehicle?" Watch it here
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Call for Homes: Eco Solar Tour 2022
The Eco Solar Home Tour is coming to Canmore for the first time this coming June 2022! Do you have an interesting energy-efficient home? This is your opportunity to showcase it in an open house to your neighbours in the Bow Valley.
Then please download and complete a tour Signup application at ecosolar.ca. We'd love to see your home on the tour!
The deadline has been extended. Please sign up by February 25, 2022!
Interested in doing more? Check out:
Town of Canmore's Environmental Sustainability Action Plan
Town of Canmore's Climate Action Plan
Town of Banff's Environmental Master Plan
Lead the way: become a Zero Waste Trailblazer
Or save money with Banff's Environmental Rebates!
