Recapture the magic

Remember the fun???  Before we turned 16, we all rode bikes.  We rode bikes everywhere because it was the easiest, fastest and fun way to get around.  Cycling in rain, cycling with friends, cycling at night, cycling to school, cycling with two or three on a bike and even cycling to church.  And it felt great!!

What happened? Why did we let the magic get away?

You've got to view this inspirational 3 minute video from Colonial High School in Orlando, Florida.  Inclusive, not discouraged by the lack of bike lanes, the students took the initiative & started their own cycling club riding to school.   They brought back the cool into cycling - even the kid riding his MOM's old bike!

Its worthwhile watching, you'll feel great, filled with hope for the future.    They did it on their own.  All they needed were helmets! 
Doesn't your [kid's] school need its own cycling club??

Change things. VOTE FOR ME!

We have a new mayor and 3 new faces on council.  This means easier cycling infrastructure in Burlington, right?

Time will tell.

But based on talks with Portland, Mayor Sam Adams and observations and discussions with cycling committees in Niagara and Hamilton, the single biggest determinant influencing cycling infrastructure will be the people who work at city hall.

These are the day to day engineers and planners that, if they are impassioned to do so, can drive the change from within. 

When Mia Birk, (see previous post) began as Portland's bike coordinator, Rob, the city's lead traffic engineer cycled 15 miles to work daily.  Engineers that cycle, are engineers that look for ways to improve infrastructure for cyclists as well as cars.

The Burlington Cycling Committee can advocate, monitor, cajole and request cycling infrastructure and the Strategic Plan can mandate it but its really the people behind the scenes that move the mountains to get it done!

Welcome back to the incumbent councillors, congratulations to the newbies and mayor!  Looking forward to making Burlington a better, cycling friendlier city.

Before and after

Portland, Oregon is a cycling mecca.  In Burlington, Sam Adams, Portland's mayor spoke glowingly of the economic and quality of life benefits cycling brings to Portland.  Statistically, Portlanders spend less of their money on gas letting them spend more in their city.  They are healthier & less stressed.

It wasn't always this way!

In 1993 Mia Birk was the bicycle coordinator for the city of Portland.  Her first bike ride was a white knuckled, stress ride with motorists hovering behind, waiting to gun it to pass her!  "Portland at the time had but a few dozen miles of disconnected bike lanes, green “bike route” signs on a few neighborhood streets, dead-end paths, highway shoulders and way-too-narrow bridge sidewalks."

TODAY - "For less than the cost of one mile of urban freeway, for less than one percent of Portland's transportation budget, we have created a city where thousands of people can and do choose bicycling as a normal, everyday means of transportation. We have more money in our pockets. We are fitter. Our kids arrive by foot or bike at school energetic and ready to learn. We are less stressed. We are more free."

With your help, Burlington can be Portland!

Cycling for Your Life

I came across this post several years ago.  It still applies today.

The Benefits of Cycling:

http://www.rocklin.ca/biketrip/benefits.htm

1. reduces the cholesterol levels in the blood
2. increases the high density lipo-protein/cholesterol ratio in the blood as well
3. reduces the chances of strokes and heart attacks caused by clotting
4. reduces the chances of illnesses caused by high blood pressure
5. reduces high blood pressure
6. helps reduce the chances of diabetes
7. offers more energy
8. better sleep
9. strengthens bones
10. reduces the risk of cancer
11. lowers resting heart rate
12. reduces body fat
13. reduces stress
14. increases mental well being
15. lengthens your life span
16. if done regularly - will get you down to your ideal body weight

If you could buy a pill to get all of the above benefits, it would probably be called Cyclotrose.

Bicycling has several advantages over other exercises:

1. Cycling exercises the heart better than walking without the pounding of jogging.
2. One can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and at low cost.
3. Little or no time has to be lost, as bike travel can be used to get to work, perform errands, or enjoy the outdoors.
4. Commuting by bike reduces pollution that causes asthma and bronchitis. A commuting cyclist is also less exposed to air pollution than a commuting motorist.

And, let's not forget about saving you money,  $$$$ and being FUN!

Vote - it matters!

David said...

"The improvements to the Bike Lanes that the city has done over the past few years is awesome. Who do I vote for in the upcomming city election to ensure that Burlington continues to expand / maintain this great cycling infrastucture. What local businesses have been supporting this change as well?"

Fabulous question.  Thanks David.

1. Share the Road Cycling Coalition has received "pledges" from candidates who have committed to promoting active lifestyles, including cycling.  Several Burlington candidates have taken the pledge, some have NOT!  See the information here at . http://www.sharetheroad.ca/active-communities-s13791  Click on VIEW THE LIST.

2. In Burlington, several Businesses & city hall promote cycling.  MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op.) is probably the biggest advocate supporting a tremendous range of cycling events in the city.  They even provide free bike tune ups at these events.  Thank you MEC!!!  You've got my vote.