Vancouver Critical Mass

Mostly event announcements, news, and bicycle related activist opinions...
Download Critical Mass flyers and posters, or upload your own
Email vancouvercm~AT~gmail~DOT~com for a posting password
Yes, we ride the last Friday of every month!

24.8.16

Keep historic Prince of Wales bridge open

Hey,

I just signed the petition "City of Ottawa: Keep the Prince of Wales bridge open" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 1,500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

www.change.org/.../city-of-ottawa-keep-the-prince-of-wales-bridge-open

Thanks!
russell
-------------

Keep historic Prince of Wales bridge open

Aileen Duncan Canada
The Prince of Wales bridge is a landmark of the nation's capital. It offers spectacular views of Ottawa, and connects us to the rivers that helped found this city. Recently, city officials announced they will spend $250,000 to bar access to the site by building gates at the entrances of the bridge.
As we approach Ottawa 2017 celebrations, we cannot allow this landmark of the city to be closed to public access.

Instead, policy makers should:
  1. Divert the $250,000 to safety upgrades on the bridge. These could include railings, replacing missing rail ties, an emergency access phone, and soft lighting. 
  2. Continue conversations regarding cost-sharing with the City of Gatineau and the National Capital Commission. 
  3. Commit to funding this site for a cycling pathway in the medium term.
  4. Estimate the costs of expanding the LRT to Gatineau via this bridge as part of Phase 2 or 3.
By the numbers:
  • Gates barring access to the Prince of Wales bridge are estimated to cost $250,000. 
  • A cycling and pedestrian path on the site is estimated to cost $10.5 million. 
  • In the 2016 City of Ottawa Budget, $2.7 million was committed on the condition that the City of Gatineau and the NCC agreed to share the costs of the project. They have not yet committed to funding the infrastructure project. 
  • An estimated 77,912 people commute between Ottawa and Gatineau for work, and this is expected to increase. 
More information: 
  • The Prince of Wales bridge has historic value and is recognized as a Capital Gem
  • Development of this site is included in the pathway network of the Ottawa Cycling Plan
  • The NCC support the creation of a multi-use path across the bridge as part of their 50-year Plan for the Nation's Capital.
  • The City of Ottawa has expressed an intention to fund the project, but the NCC and Ville de Gatineau will also need to contribute for this to become a reality. 
This petition will be delivered to:
  • City of Ottawa
  • Ville de Gatineau
  • National Capital Commission

19.8.16

Bike Dance Flash Mob wants you! Sat. Aug. 20th, 4pm

Dear Critical Mass Vancouver:

UpCYCLEd Stories,
a uniquely Vancouver bike-inspired community musical film project, is in its final phase. For one of the closing scenes in the movie, project lead Sarah Van Borek is facilitating a BIKE DANCE FLASH MOB and all are invited!

When: this Saturday, August 20th, 4pm
Where: The Beaumont Stage (Main & Broadway), as part of the first annual Vancouver Mural Festival

Community members are invited to come on their bikes and learn a short choreography then dance in the street (on their bikes) with the rest of the community and be filmed in one of the final scenes of the UpCYCLEd Stories movie!

UpCYCLEd Stories will have a tent in front of Our Community Bikes 12-4pm where participants can practice the choreography with others before the flash mob.

The bike dance choreography is available online if participants want to practice in advance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhynnMS6RI

The dance features the song "On My Bike" by Vancouver-based worldbeat dance band, Roots Roundup. The dance is called "drivetrain" because this is the part of the bike that makes everything move. The dance is inspired by bike safety tips so please be sure to wear your bike helmet! Please bring your friends, family and neighbours - all are welcome!

*Note: Participants are welcome to join even without bikes*

Help us get the word out by sharing the facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/668986836601027/

For more info about UpCYCLEd Stories:
Hope you can join us for a worldbeat street dance party on bikes!

Best,
Sarah

Sarah Van Borek
UpCYCLEd Stories
Artist in Community
Mount Pleasant Community Centre
1 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, V5T 3H7
C: 604.723.8429
reduce | reuse | RECREATE!