Fall meeting and 2012 activities report
Now that we are moving into the fall season, we’d like to report back on what we’ve accomplished this spring and fall. Also, come to the fall meeting on Saturday, September 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Laughing Buddha to hear more about what we’ve accomplished and to voice your views on future projects and activities. Some activities/plans to think about:
- Incorporation so we can pursue grants etc.?
- Leading/organizing more events/activities? If so, which ones would be of most interest?
- More advocacy for things like green streets, pushing the city to include cycling infrastructure for 2013?
- More PR work and contact with other organizations? Ex. CANs, students at Laurentian and Cambrian?
- Additional opportunities to provide safe cycling education?
REPORT ON SCU 2012 ACTIVITIES TO DATE
SCU Development
The SCU developed the following public relations materials:
- Sports pinnies with the SCU logo to wear at events.
- An SCU flyer to distribute at events.
- A new web site.
- A new email distribution list housed at MailChimp.
- A newsletter is currently being developed and we plan on having business cards available for next year.
Bicycle Safety Education
5 members of the SCU were certified in April as Can-Bike instructors. So far, our instructors have done safety training at two primary schools and have assisted with Sudbury bike rodeos. The intent was to hold Can-Bike courses over the summer; however we were unable to get a proper venue for the courses. We are planning to start delivering Can-Bike courses next spring and summer.
Events
The SCU provided volunteers for the following events:
- A bike ride at the reThink Green Sustainable Tour on May 12.
- Downtown Yard Sale’s bike safety rodeo and a bike exchange on May 26.
- The Share the Road ride on Manitoulin Island where we developed good linkages with cyclists on the Island on Jun 3.
- The Howard’s Trail maintenance on Jun 6 and 7.
- A bike rodeo at Long Lake Public School on Jun 13.
- Blues for Food’s bike safety rodeo and a bike exchange on Jun 20.
- Bike safety session at the primary school Jeanne Sauve on Jun 26.
- Bike valet at Northern Lights Folk Festival on Jul 7.
- The Sudbury Share the Road ride on Aug 9.
- The Donovan Days safe cycling booth where bikes and helmets were provided free of charge on Aug 18.
- The Maison Vale Hospice fundraiser on Aug 19.
- The BMX, Skateboard and Scooter competition organized by the GSPS on Aug 26.
Advocacy
The SCU participated in numerous advocacy initiatives:
- An article to the Sudbury Coop Media in response to the new sharrows on Regent St. in early January.
- Feedback to the Transportation Study on Jan 11.
- Presentation to City Council re the Official Plan Review on Jan 23.
- Feedback to the Bell Park Advisory Panel through an SCU member on Jan 29.
- Presentation to the Downtown Master Plan committee on Jan 31.
- Participation in the GreenGathering on Mar 24.
- Visit to the Toronto Cyclists Union on Apr 20.
- Interview on CBC radio regarding safety and Bike to Work Month on May 2.
- Feedback to the Complete Streets Presentation on May 15.
- Letter sent to Northern Life and the Sudbury Star on May 30, cc’ing the Greater Sudbury Police Services and the Mayor regarding safe cycling in Sudbury. This created linkages with the GSPS.
- Feedback at the Public Input Session re City Parks on May 31.
- Feedback to Northern Life re an article on cycling in Sudbury published May 31. Met with a reporter which resulted in a follow-up article with our views.
- Developed linkages at the Walden Mountain Bike Club open house on Jun 9.
- Feedback to a subdivision developer at a Minnow Lake CAN public meeting on Jun 13 regarding road reconstruction and a possible roundabout on Bellevue Ave.
- Presentation to City Council regarding proposed 2013 budget on Jun 19.
- Feedback at a Lake Huron North Channel proposed bike route stakeholder input session on Jun 21.
- Letter in late June to the Sudbury Star and the Northern Life regarding SCU accomplishments and future plans.
- Feedback at the Silver Hills development submission to the City Planning Committee on Jun 25.
Community linkages
The SCU also made or solidified linkages with the following community organizations:
- The Rainbow Routes Association
- The Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury
- The Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates
- The Toronto Cyclists Union
- The Walden Mountain Biking Club
- The Greater Sudbury Policy Services
- The Ward 8 CAN
- The Friends of Transit
- Maison Vale Hospice
- Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers Sudbury Chapter 049
Hey there,
Just a note that the Toronto Cyclists Union has changed its name to Cycle Toronto. Looking forward to staying in touch and hearing about your successes in Sudbury!
Simon
Cycle Toronto Board Vice-President