120812 velovillage final summary report

7/31/2019 120812 VeloVillage FINAL Summary Report

1/13

EventandKeyOutcomesSummary

http://islandpathways.ca/island_pathways.htm

August2012


2/13

1

VancouversinitiativetohosttheEuropeanCyclistsFederationconferencebetweenJune

26and29,2012providedanopportunitytoshinealightonallaspectsofcyclinginBritish

Columbia.IslandPathways,anon-governmentalorganizationonSaltSpringIslandthat,

forthepast25years,hasbeenworkingtoimprovetheeaseofuseandsafetyofcycling,

respondedtothisopportunitybyhostingacomplementarypre-conferenceeventthat

featuredtheruralcyclingexperience.Thus,VeloVillagewascomplementarytoVelo-City

2012.VeloVillageshowcasedruralandurbancyclinginterestsworkingtogethertobuild

safe,seamlesscyclingcapacitywithin,betweenandbeyondmunicipal,regionaland

provincialboundaries.Thissummaryreportdescribesactivitiesandidentifieskey

outcomes.

Overview

VeloVillagewasacelebrationofruralcycling.Ithighlightedcriticalhuman,

economicandculturalrelationshipsthatbindcitycyclistswiththeircountry

cousinsandproposedapolicyframeworkforimprovingcyclingconnectivityin

BritishColumbia.Acopyofthe SalishSeaStatementsonCycling&RuralMobility

isattachedasAppendixA).

o Volunteers,translatedmulti-lingualversionsofthe Statements.TheycanbedownloadedfromthefollowingURLs:

AvideocompilationofVeloVillageactivitiesmaybeviewedatthefollowingURL:http://youtu.be/DB1ZIr650G0

TheIslandPathwaysandVeloworksBoardsco-signeda LetterofAgreementinFebruary2012,designatingVeloVillageasanofficialpre-conferenceeventto

Velo-City2012Globalandidentifyingspecificrolesandresponsibilitiesfortheir

respectiveorganizations.

MainVeloVillageeventstookplaceonJune21,22and23.Acompletelistof

activitiesisincludedbelow:

o June11thtoJune30th:BeautifulBikesmorethan40localbusinessesdisplaybikespaintedbystaffand/orcommissionedfromlocalartists

o June18thtoJune24th:SaltSpringIslandBiketoWorkWeek

http://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandRM_Deutsch.pdf http://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandRM_Dutch.pdf http://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandR_VloVillage_Franais.pdf http://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandRM_Japanese.pdf http://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandRM_Hebrew.pdf


3/13

2

o June19thtoJune25th:ArtSpringCycl-OH!-ramaandSRAMpARTProjectVeloVillage-adisplayofvintagebikes,bikephotographyandajuried

BicycleArtShowandAuctionwithproceedsgoingtoWorldBicycleRelief

(http://www.sram.com/partproject/velo-village/overview.php )

o June20th:VeloVillageVibrationsacommunitycelebrationoflong-timelocalcyclistsandavolunteerbriefingwithemergencyservicesandlogistics

personnel

o June21st:CanadianpremiereofRevealthePatha75minutefilmthatfeaturesworldclasscyclistsengagingpeopleandterraininsomeofthe

worldsmostinaccessibleplaces

o June22nd:CyclingandRuralMobilityConferenceAninternationalgatheringfocusedonsafe,seamlesscyclingforruralandurbanriders

(speakerbiographiesareattachedasAppendixB) SpokeNSongGalaavarietyshowsupportedbyon-andoff-

islandspeakersandperformersandfeaturingColinandJulieAngus

(thefirstcoupletocircumnavigatetheglobeunderhumanpower)

o June23rd:TheBIKEFERRYandFUNRIDEmorethan250cyclistssailedfromVancouvertoSaltSpringIslandonBritishColumbiasfirst-ever

bicycle-onlyvessel.Theywerejoinedbyapproximately100othersfora

14kmfunridealongadedicatedbikelanedecoratedwithdozensofhand-

paintedbikes

BicycleValetservicesecure,monitoredbicycleparkingwasavailableforupto600cyclists

CyclingWorkshops:ElectricBikes(introductory&advanced);RuralSafeCyclingPractices;CycleTourism

Financing

VeloVillagewasdesignedasanaffordableandaccessiblecyclingexperience.Participation

feesarelistedinTable1.

Table1:ParticipationFeesArtSpringCycl-

OH!-rama

Revealthe

Path RuralCyclingConference BicycleValet&Workshops SpokeNSongGala BikeFerry&FunRidebydonation $10.00 $75.00 bydonation $15.00 $20.00

Thefinancialandin-kindsupportofpublicandprivatesectorsponsors,partnersand

benefactorsestablishedabroadly-basedfoundationforsuccess.Ahighlevelbreakdown

offestivalrevenuesdescribesthisrelationship( Table2).

Table2:VeloVillageSourcesofRevenuePrivateSector $6,500.00 PublicSector $8,450.00 Sales&Donations $15,065.00

21.6% 28.2% 50.2%


4/13

3

Outcomes

Financial:VeloVillagehadanetpositivefinancialimpactforIslandPathways

Volunteerism:Morethan225volunteerssupportedthedevelopmentanddeliveryofVeloVillage

SmallBusinessParticipation :approximately100smallbusinessessupportedtheVeloVillageevent.Participationincludedmajorcashsponsorshipsof$1000ormore

(n=2),sponsorshipofagiftbagcoupon(n=30),donationofanin-kindserviceor

product(n=35),commissioningand/orshowcasingabeautiful(painted)bike(n=40+)

IslandsTrustparticipation :SaltSpringandIslandTrustCouncilsendorsedtheVeloVillageresolutioncallingforincreasedinvestmentinruralcyclinginfrastructure.

CapitalRegionalDistrictParticipation :supportedVeloVillageinmanyways:theCRDDirectorsupportedtheIslandPathwaysapplicationforaGrant-in-Aid,theSSI

TransportationCommissionandtheCRDBoardsupportedourcallforincreased

provincialinvestmentinruralcyclinginfrastructureandtheCommunicationsgroup

leveragedkeypartnershipstooptimizedistributionanduptakeofVeloVillage

marketingandmessagingleadinguptotheJuneevent

BCFerriesParticipation :BCFcorporate,operationsandadvisorycommitteestructuresenabledcyclist-onlyaccesstotheMVSkeenaQueenonJune23rd.Specifically,BCFoperationsmanagersandstaffprovidedexcellentplanningand

deliverysupportfortheentireevent

CyclistParticipation :cyclistvolumespeakedonSaturday,June23 rdwhenbetween400and500cyclistswerepresentinGanges.

BiketoWorkWeekParticipation:23individualsandfiveteamscycledmorethan1260kmbetweenJune18and24,2012.SaltSpringcyclistsregisteredthesecond

highestaveragecommutedistance(approx11kmreturn)inBritishColumbia.

FilmNight:morethan80theatregoersattendedtheCanadianpremiereofRevealthePathhttp://revealthepath.com/

Cycl-OH!-rama&pARTProjectShow:morethan1,000peoplecametoArtSpringtoenjoythevintagebikedisplays,thebikephotoexhibitandthe23originalworksof

artcreatedforthepARTProjectincollaborationwithSRAM&WorldBicycleRelief


5/13

4

CyclingandRuralMobilityConference :60personsregisteredforthedaylongconference.Morethan90percentofdelegatesstayedoneormorenightonSalt

SpringIsland.AprogramisattachedasAppendixC.Conferencepresentationscanbe

downloadedfromtheIslandPathwaysBicycleWorkingGroupBlogpage: http://ssi-

bicycleworkinggroup.blogspot.ca/.Table3providesabreakdownofwhere

delegatestraveledfrom:

Table3:WhereDelegatesReside RuralBC Victoria Vancouver OtherCanada

1 OtherInternational

2

44% 19% 14% 6% 17%

BikeFerry/FunRideRegistrants :atotalof259personspre-registeredforthisevent. 3Demographicinformationfollows:

o 50.2%oftheregistrantswerefemaleo Averageagewas44.9yearso Morethanthree-quartersofregistrantsbegantheirjourneyintheGreater

Victoria(46%)orGreaterVancouver(31%)areas

o 59%ofregistrantsstayedoneormorenightonSaltSpringIslando Theeventattractedawidespectrumofcyclists.Abreakdownofskilllevelsis

providedinTable4.

Table4:Self-identifiedSkillLevelsBikeFerryRegistrants

Expert Commuter Recreational Beginner17% 30% 41% 12%

Satisfaction:Participantresponsetotheeventwaspositiveandahighlevelofenjoymentandsatisfactionwasregisteredbyparticipants.Asampleoftypical

participantcommentsfollows:

o Funandinspiringo Justblownawayo AWonderfulDay!o Whataride,thankyouSaltSpringo Outstandingevent,Congratulations!o Spectacular,surpassedmyexpectationso BravoitwasveryemotionalwatchingthebikesdisembarkatFulford

withmyyoungson!

1Ottawa,Ontario;Moncton,NewBrunswick,Calgary,Alberta.

2Australia,Germany,Massachusetts,Oregon,Washington

3Approximately100additionalpersonsjoinedtheFunRideonSaltSpringbetweenFulfordandGanges.


6/13

5

Advocacy:representativesfrom35ruralBritishColumbiacommunitiessupportedtheVeloVillageresolutionforincreasedinvestmentinruralcyclinginfrastructure,

seeTable5.TheresolutionisattachedasAppendixD.

SchoolDistrict64adoptedthe SalishSeaStatementsonCyclingandRuralMobilityandhasaskedotherSchoolDistrictsinBCtofollowsuit.

CyclingSafetyandSecurity:nocyclistinjurieswerereportedandnohospitaladmissionswererecorded.Nobicyclesorbicycleaccessorieswerereported

vandalizedorstolen.

DevelopingWorldBenefits:VeloVillageraisedmorethan$22,000.00forWorldBicycleReliefandtheircampaigntomakecyclingmoreaccessibleandaffordablein

Africa.

Follow-up:VeloVillageorganizersmetwithemergencyservicesandcommunicationspersonnelfollowingtheeventtoidentifydeliverychallengesand

sharelessonslearned.

Other:ImagesandcommentaryabouttheVeloVillageeventaredocumentedat:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Velo-Village-2012/264472010258378

Table5:LocalSupportforProvincialFundingforRuralCyclingInfrastructure

Bowen Thetis Ladysmith

Denman Lumby Metchosin

Gabriola DistrictofMackenzie Fruitvale

Galiano Fernie PowellRiver

Gambier LionsBay Cumberland

Hornby GoldRiver DistrictofWells

Lasqueti Sidney Quesnel

Mayne NorthSaanich Tofino

NorthPender Creston Vernon

SouthPender DistrictofNorthCowichan Chilliwack

Saturna VillageofKaslo

SaltSpring VillageofPortClements


7/13

6

AppendixA:TheSalishSeaStatementsonCycling&RuralMobility

Preamble

Cycling isa sustainable ruralmobility solution. Improvingourunderstandingof ruralmobility

issuesandcyclingsafety,engagingandsupportinglocalcitizensandcommunity-basedgroupsin

thedevelopmentandpromotionofcyclingservices,andconnectingruralplaceswithadjacent

regional and metropolitan cycling networks will accelerate the availability of cycling

opportunitiesforcommuter,recreationalandcompetitivecyclists,enableindividual,economic

andsocietalbenefitsandincreasethevolumeofcityandcountrycyclistsridinginruralareas.

WHEREAS,acyclingbodyofknowledgetellsus

thataccesstobicyclesandcycletransportincreaseswell-being;yetaccessislimitedbysocialdeterminantssuchaspoverty

thatpromotionofcyclingbestpracticesamongchildrenincreasesacceptanceanduseofbicyclesinlaterlife

thatcyclingimprovesbothindividualandpopulationhealthoutcomesandreducesthepopulationhealthimpactsofcarbonemissions

thatvibrant,welcomingcyclingculturesaretheresultof,andaninputto,community-directedinitiatives

thattechnologicalinnovationisincreasingtheease-of-use,utilityandcost-benefitofcycling thatthelargestmetropolitanareasonourplanetareinvestingincyclingnetworksand

facilitiesthatincreasethesafetyoftheircyclistcitizensandcomplementeffortsto

encouragewalkinganduseofpublictransit

thatpeoplewhoadoptcyclingasamodeofurbantransportwillusebicyclestotraveltootherplaces

thatthosewhoridebeyondcyclingnetworkboundarieswillhavenoalternativebuttorideonruralroads,and;

thatruralroadsaretheleastsafeplacesforcycliststoride

THEREFORE,BEITRESOLVEDTHAT_________________________________________________

advises that first mile investments be made in rural places to advance and sustain an

interconnectedcyclingnetworkwhich

leveragessafetyinnumbers optimizesbuildoutofcycle-tourismopportunities positivelycontributestoclimatechangechallenges complementsruraltransportationdemandmanagement enhanceslocalcapacitytoimprovecommunitywell-beingandpopulationhealth enablessmallbusinessaccesstonewcommercialcorridorsandmarkets;and, bindstheinterestsofcitycyclistswiththoseoftheircountrycousins


8/13

7

AppendixB:ConferenceSpeakerBiographies

WelcomingGroup

MurrayCoellwasfirstelectedtorepresenttheridingofSaanichNorthandtheIslands

in1996,andwasre-electedin2001,2005and2009.Beforehiselectiontothe

LegislativeAssembly,CoellsatonSaanichMunicipalCouncilfor12years,sixofthemas

Mayor.

PeterGroveisoneoftworepresentativeselectedtotheIslandsTrust.Peterencourages

bikesontheislandandadvocatesforprograms,whichfacilitatetheiruse,including

enhancedpathways,roadsafetyandeducation.HeisaCharteredAccountantanda

CharteredMediator.

BrendaGuiledistheChairofIslandPathways.ShealsoheadsitsBicycleWorkingGroup,

startedin2009toworkwiththeSSITransportationCommission.Brendagrewupin

JasperNationalParkhasworkedinenvironmentaleducation,completingaM.Sc.in

curriculumdevelopment.Shesawriter,graphicartist/illustrator,andrunsherown

karateschool.

WayneMcIntyreisalifelongwestcoasterandtheCapitalRegionalDirectorfortheSalt

SpringElectoralDistrict.Waynehashadalongbusinesscareer,includingasacorporate

executiveandrunningseveralofhisownbusinesses.Anactivebikerwhenvisitingfamilyandfriendsonthelowermainland,heisasupporterofbetterandsaferaccessfor

bikersonSaltSpringwithalltheattendantcommunitybenefits.

Speakers

ChristinaBentyistheMayoroftheTownofGolden,asmall,ruralcommunitynestledin

theRockyMountainsandlocated200kmwestofCalgaryalongtheTransCanadaHwy.

Sheservedtwotermsoncouncilbeforerunningformayor.Christinastudiedpolitical

scienceinuniversityandhasalongterminterestingovernance/governancestructures.

ShemovedtoGolden17yearsagoandismarriedtoalocalteacher.Theyhavethree

adultchildreninuniversity.Whensheisnotactinginherroleasmayor,Chistinaenjoys

running,reading,cycling,cross-countryskiingandspendingtimewithfamilyand

friends.Christinahasthehonourofleadingtheimplementationofthefirstmunicipal

kiosk-basedbikeshareprograminBritishColumbia.

Dr.MichaelBrauerisaprofessorintheSchoolofPopulationandPublicHealthatthe

UniversityofBritishColumbia.Heisrecognizedinternationallyforhisresearchonair


9/13

8

pollutionexposureandhealthimpacts.Hehasparticipatedinstudiesthroughoutthe

worldandservedonadvisorycommitteestotheWorldHealthOrganization,theUSNationalAcademyofSciences,theInternationalJointCommissionandgovernmentsin

NorthAmericaandAsia.Hehasbeenconductingcycling-relatedresearchforthepast5

yearsandhascommutedbybikeforaslongashecanremember.

JoannaBrownisoriginallyfromSussexNBandishappytohavefoundherwaybackto

suchaculturallyandecologicallyrichprovince.Hervagabondlifestylehasledherto

studysocialgeographyandenvironmentalstudiesattheUniversityofVictoria,totravel

withabackpackorabike,aswell,asworkoncommunitydevelopmentprojectsina

numberofCanadiancities.SincereturningtoNBJoannaco-founded,withGraham

Waugh,theCornHillBicycleFestival,whichisaruraleducationandcyclingevent

focusedontheaveragecyclist.Currently,JoannaisinvolvedintheestablishmentofLaBikeryCo-operativethefirstcommunitybicyclecentreinMonctonwhiledaytoday

workingfortheNewBrunswickEnvironmentalNetwork.(seealsoGrahamWaugh)

AlanCallanderhasaBachelorofArts,withadoublemajorinGeographyand

Economics,fromtheUniversityofVictoria.HehasalsoearnedadiplomainConstruction

EngineeringTechnologyfromtheCollegeofNewCaledoniainPrinceGeorge.Alan

joinedtheMinistryofTransportationandInfrastructurein1992andtookonthe

Ministryscyclingportfolioin1994.InthisroleAlansuccessfullydirectedthe

consultationprocess,whichledtotheadoptionofaMinistryCyclingPolicyin2000.Alan

alsohasdevelopedandadministeredseveralcost-sharingprogramsdirectedatprovidingassistancetolocalgovernmentstoacceleratetheconstructionofcycling

facilities,includingthecurrentBikeBCprogram.Recently,Alanhasalsotakenonthe

ministrysclimateactionprogram,whichsupportsBCsClimateActionPlan;aroadmap

toanew,prosperous,greeneconomyfortheprovince.

ChristineGrantrecentlyreturnedtotheCascadiaConsultingGroupaftercompletinga

sixmonthStevensFellowshiptoresearchactivetransportationthroughoutEuropeand

Japan.Herresearchfocusedoninfrastructure,policy,andculturalinfluencesthat

reducecardependencyandincreasewalkingandcyclingrates.Shetravelledbetween

herEuropeandestinationsbybicyclemakinguseofEuroVeloroutes,SchweizMobil

tracks,DutchKnooppuntroutes,andotherbicyclehighways.AspartofherFellowship,sheworkedforCopenhagenizeConsultingandsupportedacommercialcargobike

demonstrationproject,developedacostbenefitanalysistoolforanalyzingcycling

infrastructureinvestments,andresearchedeffectivecyclingmarketingcampaigns.

ChristinesblogShiftdocumentshertravelsandresearch.


10/13


11/13

10

cyclingandsafetycurriculumusedinCanada;includingRURALCYCLING.Bruceearned

hisMasterinEducationfromSFUin2004specializinginCurriculumDesignandEducationalLeadership.WhenhelivedintheLowerMainland,Brucesdaily,yearround,

bikecommutewasneverlessthan50kmroundtrip.BruceandhiswifeMaureenhave

cyclecampedmuchofBCandacrossCanadaandnowresidesinVernon.

AlexPhillipshasthegreatjoyandhonortoserveastheOregonParksandRecreation

DepartmentsStatewideBicycleRecreationCoordinator.InchargeoftheStateScenic

BikewayProgram,whichgivesformalstatedesignationtothebestrecreationalroad,

bikerideshighlightingthebeautyofOregon.AlexdevelopedtheScenicBikeway

Programfromtheinitialsinglebikewaytoasystemofninebikewayscovering700miles.

Alltheinformationneededforavisitortoplanaonedayrideoramulti-daytripis

availableatOregonScenicBikeways.Additionally,sheworkstofullyintegratebicyclerecreationintothecomprehensiveplanningprocessforStateParks.PreviouslyAlex

workedasacommunityorganizerforaconservationorganizationandservedaschairon

theBozeman,MontanaBicycleAdvisoryBoard,whereshewasinstrumentalingrowing

Bozemansbikelanesfromonelonelylanetoanetworkcoveringthecity.

ColinRankinhasworkedonsixcontinentssupportingorganizationaldevelopmentand

programdeliverywithinstitutions,NGOsandgovernmentagencies,aswellasthe

privatesector.Hisworkincludes:developingstrategicplansfortheEnvironmental

CouncilofZambiaandSimonFraserUniversity;programevaluationsofSavethe

ChildrenCanada,BhutanEducationSupportProjectandtheFraserBasinCouncil;publicengagementandconflictresolutionoflandandmarineresourceissues;andproject

designandmanagement.Overthreedecadesofprofessionalpractice,Colinhas

facilitatedseveralhundredworkshopsandmeetingsinthehealth,education,

environmentandcommunicationssectors.Heislookingforwardtolearningfromand

supportingtheparticipantsofVeloVillage.

BeckySmithhaslivedonLopezIslandfor28yearsaftergrowingupintheSeattlearea.

Shehasbeenactivelyinvolvedinthecommunitysittingonvariousboardsand

committeesandhasbeenontheboardfortheLopezChamberofCommercefor10

years.Beckyhasworkedacombinationofjobsovertheyearsbuthasbeeninvolved

withtourisminformationfor20years.Sheisoneoftwocoordinatorswhocreatedthe

TourDeLopezbiketour,whichisnowinits9thyear.Thishasbeenaverysuccessful

fundraisingeventfortheIslandandtheChamberofCommerce.

GrahamWaughisaco-organizeroftwoCornhillBicycleFestivals.BorninNew

Brunswick,GrahamnowlivesinCalgarywhereheworksasaWaterResourcesEngineer.


12/13


13/13

12

AppendixD:ResolutiontoSupportInvestmentinRuralCyclingInfrastructure

PROVINCIAL FUNDING FOR CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE

WHEREAS the Union of British Columbia Municipalities has consistently endorsedresolutions calling for development, improvement and augmentation of cyclinginfrastructure, including but not limited to:

frequent sweeping of bike lanes (2011-B19); increased width and refurbished road shoulders to accommodate cycling

(2010-B16, 2007-B14, 2007-B99); a BC Cycling Development Program (2010-B17); revenue sharing for cycling infrastructure intersecting provincial highways

(2009-B83); safer cycling conditions to encourage ridership (2008-B108); bicycle lane funding (2007-B100, 2006-B140); and infrastructure for non-greenhouse gas emitting transportation (2006-B110);

AND WHEREAS rural cycling infrastructure strengthens communities by:

increasing the safety of cycling on rural roads; supporting the growth of cycle tourism;

addressing local climate change challenges; providing transportation and recreation alternatives; establishing links with existing urban and regional cycling networks; and enabling small business access to new commercial corridors and markets:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that [My Local Government] urges the Province ofBritish Columbia to invest in cycling infrastructure in rural communities, in order toaccelerate the availability and broaden the range of cycling opportunities forcommuter, recreational and competitive cyclists living in and visiting rural andurban areas.

Reference Documents:

Salish Sea Statements on Cycling & Rural Mobilityhttp://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandRM_English.pdf

Salish Sea Statements on Cycling & Rural Mobility Body of Knowledgehttp://www.velovillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/SSSOCandR_BOK.pdf