Although Covid is playing a role in reducing Bike Niagara’s activities, the last two years have been productive in providing safe cycling instruction and advocacy….more
Although Covid is playing a role in reducing Bike Niagara’s activities, the last two years have been productive in providing safe cycling instruction and advocacy comments for a more friendly cycling environment. The following activities have been conducted over 2021 and 2022:
Advocacy
- Input into Niagara Public Health’s “Active Transportation Strategic Plan.”
- Meeting input for Pelham’s draft signing of municipal bike routes.
- Letter of support for nominee Karen Stearne, Heart Niagara for MTO road safety achievement award for Collaboration.
- Electric Bike Information Session, Pelham Meridian Community Centre, Sponsored by Probus Club of Pelham, Niagara Freewheelers and Bike Niagara,
- Attended the 2022 Ontario Bike Summit by zoom
- Letters to Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education and MPP Niagara West Sam Oosterhofff, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education regarding support for the Ontario Active School Travel (OAST) Program.
- Allanburg Community Transportation Study, Public Information Meeting, Comments to improve the safety of the Allanburg Trail Crossing.
Bike Niagara Status Review
- Where Do We Go From Here – Review Bike Niagara financial status and future activity options resulting in status quo of being demand responsive to requests for safe cycling instruction and other inputs.
Safe Cycling Instruction
- School Bicycle Rodeos
- Ecole Nouvel Horizon, Welland, Two on-bike sessions, Grades 4 & 5 in the am, Grades 5 & 6 in the pm, 1.5hrs. each, for a total of 42 students. In-class session taught by teacher prior to rodeo. Bike Niagara instructors assisted by 3 teachers and 4 senior students.
- Heart Niagara School Rodeo Program, covered training session for 5 summer student assistants, and 7 school rodeos at 4 elementary schools in Thorold. Total of 200 students over 23 hrs.
- Enhanced Cycling Skills
- Welland YMCA/Niagara College, 1 adult female, 2 to 3 hrs.
- Bethany Church, Fenwick, Pelham Probus Cycling Group, 6 adult students, 2 hrs.
- 14th Niagara Falls Brownies, South Minster United Church, Niagara Falls, Class room and on-bike sessions, 11 students plus 2 adult supervisors, 3.5 hrs.
- Pelham Probus Club Cycling Group, Ecole Nouvel Horizon playground, Welland, 5 adult students, 2 hrs.
- 2nd Pelham Probus Cycling Group course, Bethany Church, Fenwick, 5 students, 2 hrs.
- Learn to Ride and Enhanced Skills
- Chippawa Lions Park, Niagara Falls, 11 yr. old girl, 2 hrs.
- Grapeview Public School playground, St. Catharines, Senior adult female, 6 hrs.
- Learn to Ride
- Michaels School parking lot, Niagara Falls, 2 adults, 2 hrs.
- John Brant School, Ridgeway, 7 yr. old girl, 3 hrs.
- Gabriel Catholic School playground, Winona, 6 yr. old boy, total of 3 hrs.
- Port Weller Public School, St. Catharines, 9 & 15 yr. old girls, 2 hours.
