- view a region by clicking within its boundaries on the map -
Mission of each group:
"To identify problems and find their solutions to eliminate barriers and to create a paradise for people who choose cycling as a fun, healthy and sustainable form of transportation. "
There are a number of reasons to explain why, although the vast majority of us say we want to cycle for transportation, only a minority of us do so on a regular basis. . . . lack of infrastructure, safety concerns, inexperience, personal habits, lack of safe parking, crazy drivers, etc.. We all know them.
A local stewardship group made up of interested individuals and organizations can use knowledge, contacts and resources to begin building awareness and even to start fixing the problem right away. Although the pay sure is low, there is much reward to be gained by watching your time, energy and expertise be harnessed to move initatives faster than they might otherwise.
When a group finds a problem that they can not fix them themselves, they often make targeted suggestions to those who can. The more inclusive the organization is the better it will function. Stewardship groups are a unique, and productive way of developing a plan, while building community support and creating community ownership at the same time.
With commuter cycling, there is often the need to prioritize the use of publicly-owned existing road infrastructure. That means there is a real need to build community consensus. It can be as simple as raising awareness through a personal conversation. It can be finding a location for a new bridge. It can be bridging lines of communication. . . It can be fixing a bike. . . Teaching someone how to fix a bike. . . Riding a bike.
Stewardship groups play a pivotal role in deciding where the priorities are, and in helping us all make the right decisions.
Who attends meetings / participates?
It is important to remember that commuter cyclists come in all types, from four year-olds on tricycles headed to the park, to spandex-outfitted office workers on a 30km daily round trip. Prospective cyclists include everybody, young or old, male or female, driver or non driver, it doesn't matter.
In general, meetings are made up of people who agree with the mission. Cyclists. Non-cyclists who want to cycle and want to address the reasons they don't or can't. Small-wheeled transportation (rollerblades, skateboards) users who also see benefit. Environmentalists. Wheelchair users. Planners. Engineers. Politicians. Business owners. Parents. Students. In short, anyone.
Many people participate without attending meetings for time commitment reasons. It can be as simple as forwarding an e-mail to the group. Or asking the local grocery store to put in more bike parking.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead (1901-1978)
The intiatives undertaken by these groups are always up to you. If you feel there is something the government should address on behalf of us all, than say so. If there are small things you can do to make a difference, then do them. For more info on what local groups have done, and are doing, poke around on the map.
Some highlights include:
- the community developed maps by NWCC, WC3 and SEAT Priorities.
- Check out NWCC's bike valet at St.John's Picnic in the Park, or their incredible list of letters of support received from local residents associations and other community organizations.
-Follow the progress of SEAT Priorities' meetings with the provincial ministers about the closure of the Fort Garry bridge.
-Admire the resolve of WC3 members as they hand out flyers to every cyclist in their area on a hot morning in July.
-Watch as the new stewardship map is refined for Downtown.
- Visit the southwest to view a beautiful exisiting fair-weather cycling route to the U of M that never touches Pembina.
etc.. etc..
The purpose of the on-line component is is to keep an open dialogue, to keep a record of progress and to share/gather important information relevant to cycling in each area. "Google Groups" are advertising free (except for Google itself) and represent a cross between a website and a discussion forum. Unlike Facebook, there is no need to give up your privacy (or find how your old college roommate's relationship is faring).
You can choose to limit the amount of e-mail you receive, from no email, to a synopsis of daily activitiy. to an e-mail for each and every post. Like a regular online forum, all comments and ideas posted are public and searchable in the hopes that others might learn from our ideas.
Each group has an e-mail address; use it to post messages & forward valuable information. If you are forwarding a message that you received, it is considered polite to send a message (and delete the sender's e-mail address) to the original sender before forwarding it to a public group.
For more information on using Google Groups, visit:
http://groups.google.com/support/
Still Need Help?
If you need some personal technical help getting started, just e-mail the group you want to join or contact info@onegreencity.com.