Getting to know the Saskatoon Cycles Board of Directors: Kira Judge
As a non-profit, Saskatoon Cycles relies on the generous efforts of its volunteers. One of the ways you can contribute to and help shape the direction of our work is by becoming a member of our Board of Directors. At our AGM on November 10th, three people joined our Board. Over the next few weeks, we’ll introduce them to you through a series of Q and A posts through which they’ll share the reasons they wanted to join our board and how they hope to contribute.
Q: Who are you and why do you ride a bike?
I do not know who I am. You may laugh, but the more I live the more I do not know how to answer that question. So I am everything really! So let’s say what I am capable of instead: I am a grateful citizen of YXE in love with the South Saskatchewan river and its trails. I am a loving mum to my son and supportive wife to my best friend Robert. I am a supportive volunteer for SES Solar Co-op and have a great vision for Saskatoon. I ride my bike year-round to connect with the river, enjoy nature every day, and meet people in the community while I commute to work, to my piano lessons, grocery shopping and more. Since we moved to Saskatoon in 2007 our commutes have become “stickier.” Sticky trails are signs of a happy community, according to Charles Montgomery the author of Happy City. Whenever I ride my bike I end up meeting my friends, colleagues and people who are new to biking, community and maybe to Saskatchewan and even Canada. There are so many new people who come straight to Saskatoon from different countries. I am also a certified Happy For No Reason trainer and train others to be happy. I am a proud and loyal employee of Federated Co-operatives Ltd and contribute there as a Sr. Business Analyst for the Technology division.
Q: Any favourite cycling rides or routes in or around Saskatoon?
My weekly commute from King George to Broadway via Victoria Park and its steep bridge. The other day I had my cargo wagon attached with a cooler in it. I was biking up hill and I heard a few fellows cheering me up to keep going. I made it to the top! How can you not love it when the community cheers your way up the steep bridge?
Q: Why did you decide to join the board?
I would like to offer my services to my beloved city; I want Saskatoon to be the best it can be.
Q: What do you hope to contribute through your involvement?
My patience, compassion, and desire to continue the work that Cathy Watts did not have a chance to finish.
Q: Have you already volunteered with Saskatoon Cycles? If so, what initiatives have you been involved in?
Yes! Bike valet and I did a statistical analysis of a survey for Cathy way back in 2016.
Q: What do you see as some priorities to make Saskatoon better and safer for cyclists?
I have been living car free for 12 years in YXE and feel great. We are so blesssed to have the river. It is always safe on the trails and residential roads. I would focus on membership, to have regular fun events like ‘hot drinks outside’ and work on winter cycling strategies to highlight the fun and empowering aspects of winter cycling. Working with local organizations such as Saskatoon Open Door Society and others where newcomers come for support and resources will be a place where we can provide information on bikeable and walkable neighbourhoods in YXE. Partnering with schools where we can expose kids to cycling at a young age will be a strategy to build new cycling citizens of YXE. There are so many amazing people out there. There is wisdom out there on how to succeed, so I would learn from others and educate Saskatoons leaders on how to copy/paste these approaches in YXE. I learnt not to get attached to any outcome and that works best in my practice as everything has its divine timing. I am here to do my part as much as I can.
