"Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from Europe and North America" + AGM

Professor Ralph Buehler

presented by Citizens for Safe Cycling and The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa

Doors open: 5:45 pm

Speakers start: 6:45 pm

We are excited to announce that Ralph Buehler, Assistant Professor in Urban Affairs & Planning and a Faculty Fellow with the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech's Alexandria Center is our key note speaker for the evening. Most of his research has an international comparitive perspective, contrasting transport and land use policies, transport systems, and travel behaviour in North America and Western Europe. Professor Buehler is working on a new book, and he will share the latest and greatest with us.

Bicycling in cities is booming, for many reasons: health and environmental benefits, time and cost savings, more and better bike lanes and paths, innovative bike sharing programs, and the sheer fun of riding. Ralph Buehler reports on cycling trends and policies in cities in North America and Europe, and offers information on such topics as cycling safety, cycling infrastructure provisions including bikeways and bike parking, integration of cycling with public transportation, and promoting cycling for women and children.

The presentation emphasizes that bicycling should not be limited to those who are highly trained, extremely fit, and daring enough to battle traffic on busy roads. Buehler describes ways to make city cycling feasible, convenient, and safe for commutes to work and school, shopping trips, visits, and other daily transportation needs. The presentation makes clear that successful promotion of city cycling depends on coordinating infrastructure, programs, and Government policies.

Ralph Buehler can speak at our meeting with support from the German Embassy in Ottawa, thanks to Citizens for Safe Cycling member Frank Hartmann.

Speaker: Olivia Chow

Also in our line up will be the Honourable Olivia Chow, Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina, the official OppositionTransport Critic. She will talk about her efforts to make Canada's roads safer.

Annual General Meeting (for members only)

The AGM will start around 8:30 pm, depending on the talks. Agenda, reports etc will be sent by email to all members a few days in advance.

If you are a member, you can stand for election for board member. We do have some names already, but every member is welcome to stand. You need to be a member for at least a month to stand for election. Make sure you have renewed your membership preferably in advance of the meeting, which saves considerable time at the door.

Other tidbits

When: October 16, 2012 Doors will be open at 5:45 pm for the social mingle and the food. The speakers start at 6:45 pm, starting with a welcome by the President and a brief overview of these year's Citizens for Safe Cycling activities by Alex deVries. 

Where: Tom Brown Arena, Address: 141 Bayview Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4M3, Transit:O-Train Bayview

Entrance: free for everyone. Members and non-members welcome

Food: We will have the same great wraps as last year, provided by Krackers Katering, a Causeway Social Enterprise and coffee (also decaf) from Bridgehead in Wellington West. We'll have tea too. Bring your own mug if you like.