Bike to the Future goes to City Hall

The City of Winnipeg, along with their partners from Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Climate Change Connection, One Green City, Resource Conservation Manitoba, the Manitoba Cycling Association, and The Centre for Sustainable Transportation will be announcing three exciting Active Transportation initiatives for 2009 on Wednesday April 29th at noon at the City Hall Courtyard:
Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 will be available at bike shops throughout Winnipeg starting on Wednesday April 29th. http://biketothefuture.org/news/archives/2009/04/28/winnipeg-cycling-map-2009

A GPS cycling study called OttoCYCLE: Building Better Biking in Winnipeg will start on May 1st. http://biketothefuture.org/news/archives/2009/04/19/cycling-gps-mapping-project

The 2nd annual Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday June 19th. http://biketothefuture.org/events/archives/2008/12/20/

Mayor Sam Katz, City Councillor Russ Wyatt, City Active Transportation Coordinator Kevin Nixon, and representatives from each partner organization will be attending. A good turnout of cyclists will help launch these three initiatives on a very positive note.

Kevin Miller
Bike to the Future, Co-Chair
http://biketothefuture.org

Bike to the Future April News

Late April news

Hello Bike to the Future members and supporters. This newsletter contains the following items:

1. Our next Monthly Meeting is on Tuesday May 12th
2. Minutes from our April Monthly Meeting
3. Strategic Planning Session -- notes from the meeting
4. Visionary Cycling Videos (on Friday)
5. Planning meeting for Bike to Work Day 2009 (on Friday)
6. Commuter Challenge
7. Green Leap Forward
8. Board of Directors vacancy
9. Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009
10. Membership (new 15% bike shops discount)

Kevin Miller
Bike to the Future, Co-Chair
www.biketothefuture.org
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Our next Monthly Meeting is on Tuesday May 12th

Bike to the Future meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 at the Eco-Centre (3rd floor MEC building at Portage & Donald). Anyone is welcome to attend.

A tentative agenda for the May Monthly Meeting has been posted at
http://biketothefuture.org/events/archives/2009/04/15/may-monthly-meeting.
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Minutes from our April Monthly Meeting

The April Monthly Meeting minutes can be read at
http://biketothefuture.org/about/meetings. There are many volunteer opportunities listed in the minutes, including an opportunity to cycle with a group from Regina to Winnipeg, and the opportunity to carry a GPS for a couple weeks this summer as you cycle around Winnipeg (Cycling GPS Mapping project).
_____________________________

Strategic Planning Session -- notes from the meeting

Bike to the Future held a Strategic Planning Session on April 7th. See http://biketothefuture.org/about/2008-strategic-planning-session.
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Visionary Cycling Videos

Friday, April 24, 12:10 PM
Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium (2nd floor)
The Millennium Library is celebrating Earth Week (April 20th to 24th) with a variety of films and speakers (PDF -- 1.7MB). These free presentations will begin at 12:10.

Bike to the Future will be presenting Visionary Cycling Videos on the Friday.

Bike to the Future's page of advocacy videos

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Planning meeting for Bike to Work Day 2009

Friday April 24th from 2:30 to 4:00 PM
Sport Manitoba, 200 Main St at York Ave
The planning for Bike to Work Day 2009 has begun, and we are excited about an event that will be bigger and better than last year. We plan on having more developed energy stations with food and fun at locations around the city, a volunteer celebration at the end of the day, and of course the pancake breakfast at The Forks.

We are currently looking for dedicated, enthusiastic, and energetic people to be on the planning team for this year's event to help make the day a revolutionary success. If you are interested in joining an amazing team, please come to our next planning meeting.

Please check in with the receptionist at the 2nd floor of Sport Manitoba. Bike parking is available in the underground parkade.

We hope to see you there!
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Commuter Challenge

Sunday May 31st to Saturday June 6th.

How did you get to work today?

The 10th annual Commuter Challenge is a national sustainable transportation event celebrated during Environment Week. It's a friendly competition between workplaces and schools to encourage individuals to walk, bike, carpool, telecommute, or bus on their daily commute to work or school. Prizes are awarded to workplaces with the highest participation rates.

For all the details, including registration information and many resources, please go to
http://biketothefuture.org/events/archives/2009/04/20/commuter-challenge.
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Green Leap Forward

Green Leap Forward is a new umbrella initiative to encourage people to participate in physically active events and to try active transportation. Join thousands of Winnipeggers as they take a green leap forward.
Green Leap Forward events are a fun-filled way to propel you forward. Try one, two or all events and make this spring your new beginning.

Tell us which events you plan to participate in at GreenLeapForward.ca to and you could win a prize that will help keep you moving and motivated.

Green Leap Forward website
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Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009

The launch of the new Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 has been postponed to Wednesday April 29th. A news item will appear on our website next week.
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Board of Directors vacancy

There's still a vacancy on our Board. If you are interested in this position, or if you'd like more information, please contact us at contact@biketothefuture.org.
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Membership (new 15% bike shops discount)

Members of Bike to the Future agree with our mission and vision and support it. We are a volunteer-run, incorporated, non-profit organization that is only as strong as our membership. Please show your support for our work by renewing (or becoming) a member. We currently have over 600 members.

All memberships taken out in 2007 (and the free memberships given to 2008 Bike to Work Day participants) are now due for renewal.

You can now use PayPal to purchase a new Bike to the Future membership or renew an existing Bike to the Future membership. Our membership info page is at
www.biketothefuture.org/get-involved/join-bike-to-the-future.

New for 2009:
Participating bike shops are offering a 15% discount for BttF members on all non-wheeled cycling accessories, not including bicycle parts, Thule or Yakima racks, and triathlon gear (wetsuits, etc).

A Membership Drive has started. Membership Director Rob Cosco needs your help renewing (contacting) all existing memberships and attracting new members, so please e-mail him at membership@biketothefuture.org. Our goal is 2009 members in 2009!



____________________________________
Bike to the Future -- announcements
announce@lists.biketothefuture.org
http://biketothefuture.org

Need a New Logo...

So looking to change the logo for something to silkscreen onto hats/t-shirts

we have this as the first one..




the new one is above...

anyone have any other ideas/comments???

It's Out

So some of you are thinking took me long enough...

well it is here. (finally!)

if you want it e-mail urbansteed@gmail.com

and if you don't want it..well just ignore this post and go about whatever makes you happy.

and if you don't know what you want..well here is an example of what is in the April issue...

Monday Today, Tuseday Tomorrow

And what does Tuseday bring?

For some of us nothing, but for others it means ECMC (http://www.ecmc2009.com/) in Berlin.




Which should be interesting for the Polizi over there likes to stand at cross roads and take fixed gear bikes away. Hopefully that will happen to no one (if you understand German or just like watching tv media you can't understand then check this out )

This begs the question what defines a cycling culture as a hazard ? For Germany has a large one, cycling paths everywhere (inside the city and out), you see lots of people always riding their bikes. Yet fixed gear is a no no. Yet here in Canada with no bike paths fixed gear riders don't have to worry about the polizi taking their bike away, but instead worry about where they ride. MIddle solution anyone?





In the mean time, let's all learn a little German (Berliner German) to get in the spirit for ECMC..

Isch mach dish krankenhaus.
gets you into trouble

Willst du Urban?
same as above

Einmal ohne, pommes mayo
gets you something to eat

Ich bin in der mood für love
might get you laid

Kiss me kindl
might get you laid in neukölln

Be aware of ordering a “Berliner”
Everywhere else in the world you would get some pastry, but in Berlin you might at least get a beer or two. To get what you want, and to make it even more confusing, order “Pfannkuchen” (pan cakes). To get pan cakes order “Eierkuchen” (egg cakes).

Allet klar?
Alter (“ahltuh”)
“old man” a term of endearment

Dicke (“digga”)
“fatty” used most often in combination with “alter”

Na?
“What’s up” in berliner dialect. the usual answer is “na?”

Ja (“yes”)
the answer to 95% of things said to you to avoid detection that you are a foreigner.

Atze
Someones older brother. Often used in conjunction with Peng!

Keule
Someones younger brother.

Icke
the opposite of you

Ja wie jetze?
…what the fuck…!!!

musste ma kiek’n
take a look

schrippen
bread rolls

Späti
A place where you can buy anything at anytime. Some let you take your bike inside, if you don’t own a lock!
Actually “Spätverkauf”, but the Berliners love to belittle things. See Köpi, Görli, Boxi, Stutti, Kutschi, Potse, …

Cause this is what i wish my sundays were like (glasses included)..

Geekhouse Movie from Geekhouse Bikes on Vimeo.

MTB Race Today and on April 29th a Fun Ride at Birds Hill Park

AND

Fun Ride at Birds Hill Park
Don’t forget to join us at BHP on April 29th, 2009

Time: 7 - 8:30 pm

Location: Bur Oak Trails - Birds Hill Park

Feeling Lucky? How about a FREE registration?

We will have a draw for one FREE entry to the Olympia Wednesday Night Series. That’s right, if you have not already registered by this date (which you should), you may win entry into all 6 Wednesday Night races, just for coming out.
If you are considering racing in the Olympia Wednesday Night Race Series and would like to check out the trails before the racing season starts, please join us for a low key, easy ride and evening on April 29th at 7 - 8:30 pm.
This will NOT be a fast group ride, but is intended for those who are curious and just want to check it out. Maybe ask some questions, get some pointers and ride a fun couple of laps of the course before the race season starts. This is for ages 12 and up and all skill levels, no RSVP necessary, just show up at 7 PM with a mechanically sound bike and a helmet and prepare to have some fun on the trails. Kids under 16 MUST have their parents present. If there are a few women, they can ride with a female representative if they would prefer.
If you have any questions, please email Kevin Braun
Hope to see you there!
NO park pass required for 2009 or 2010.

Ya Like to Ride Far Far Away? (like i do)

Then check out Jason Carter's post on MIT (Mennonites in Tights) or just look below ...

Manitoba Randonneurs 2009 BREVET SERIES

Ride dates and start locations:

200km- April 25 (Saturday) 7:00AM from Shell Gas Bar- Pembina Hwy and Perimeter Loop route, time limit 13.5 hours.

200km- May 2 (Saturday) 7:00AM from 7/11- Henderson Hwy and McIvor
Loop routes, time limit 13.5 hours.

200km and 300km- May 9 (Saturday) 5:00AM from Shell Gas Bar- Pembina and Perimeter. Loop routes, time limit 13.5 hours(200km) and 20 hours (300km).

300km- May 30 (Saturday) 5:00AM from 7/11- Henderson Hwy and McIvor, Loop route, time limit 20 hours.

400km- June 13 (Saturday) 4:00AM from Shell Gas Bar- Pembina and Perimeter. Loop route, time limit 27 hours.

600km- July 4 (Saturday) 6:00AM Start location TBA. Loop route, time limit 40 hours.

1000km-August 7 (Friday) 6:00AM Start location TBA. Loop route, time limit 75 hours.

Latke 200km- August 29 (Saturday) 7:00AM from Shell Gas Bar- Pembina Hwy and Perimeter Loop route, time limit 13.5 hours.




Required Equipment- White front light/red rear light for all distances 300km and over. CSA, ANSI or Snell approved helmet. Reflective vest for all distances 400km and over. Carr proper identification at all times. The 400km route travels to the U.S. ID will be required at the border.

Rides are NOT supported therefore be prepared to care for yourself. Vehicles will not be allowed to follow the riders. Outside support may be taken only at the designated control points.

All rides start on time- rain, snow or shine (prepare for the worst, hope for the best). Route cards and maps will be handed out up to 15 minutes prior to start time- please be early. Route cards must be signed at a business establishment the designated control towns. The rides are not races- if you arrive prior to the control open time, you must wait for the time before proceeding. If you arrive after the close time, your ride will not be certified.

The cards will be certified and returned to you at the end of the season. Super Randonneur medals will be awarded to all riders completing the series of 200km, 300km, 400km, and 600km rides in the same year.

Contact: Email leier@mts.net

We Want YOUR Short Bike Video!

Don and I have been talking about having a short part of Bike Short Film Festival being dedicated to Winnipeg produced bike films. So if you know of anyone who has anything or want to know more about it then e-mail me at madame.shona@gmail.com

And in the mean time, tell that weather god to make it stop snowing durning my morning ride!

Future of Bike Polo

I know summer brings bigger and better things ..but we need new folks to come play polo or else polo will DIE!

It's Out!

Sorry for this coming so late. I was really sick through the winter and finally am able to sit at a comptuer for a long time and put it all together (big thanx goes out to my partner for helping with the design). Thank you again for everyone who helped out and gave a piece to the zine. It is how this Urban Steed is created, and I invite anyone to send in anything (bike related) to the zine. If you want a copy but are not on the list or have suggestions/comments then mail urbansteed@gmail.com

Sunday april 19, 2pm, River Osborne Community Centre.

We need people so be there!


http://www.bikepolo.ca/

Bike Polo OUTSIDE?!?!

that is the word from meeester john...

if you aren't made of 100% suck you do.
the forecast keeps switching as far as what day it's to rain but sunday has remained most consistently the best of the two in that regard.
just today however i noticed that saturday is lookin' sooo good.

i'll shift my potential plans around to allow for some polo in my life...despite being mere person-hours away from perfecting my deathray...
regardless, muh-fuggas, let's just plan to bust it down to Orioles Community Centre at St.Matthews and Burnell on saturday with all the necessary gear, get a lil' tipsy and whack that ball around!

whaddya say?

john

POLO SPAM polospampolospampolospam

First Spring Alley Cat? (though you have to go out of town)

Deets on the poster or go to FGBC website for more info.

If anyone goes I would be interested in hearing about it/posting about it.