Saskatoon Cycles January 2023 Newsletter
Winterruption 2023
Winterruption is a multi-day, multi-venue arts and culture festival that’s intended to get Saskatonians outside and enjoying their winter environment. With captivating concerts, exclusive film screenings, outdoor activities, and so much more, Winterruption has something fun for everyone. It runs from January 26 – 29, 2023.
Saskatoon Cycles is participating with a free fat bike test ride station on Saturday, January 28th at W. E. Graham Park (behind Victoria School) from NOON to 4PM. Our friendly board members Gord and Rob will be helping interested riders take a spin on some great bikes provided by The Bike Doctor.
Come out and try a bike, listen to some stories, have a warm drink, and see how wonderful winter can be!
Winter BYXE Week
Once again, we’re partnering with the City of Saskatoon to present Winter 2023 BYXE Week from February 13 – 20. The event aims to promote and encourage cycling year-round and celebrate those who make cycling a part of their commute.
We have another fun schedule of events designed to engage cyclists of all ages and abilities for the winter season:
- Slow Roll – February 11
- Bike to Work Day – February 16
- Scavenger Hunt
- Decorated Bike placements
- Prizes!
The Winter 2023 BYXE Week page can be found by clicking here. Please check back often, as we’ll be loading more details into the page leading up to the event.
Saskatoon Cycles 2023 Playbook
Your Saskatoon Cycles board is preparing for a busy and productive 2023. At our New Year kickoff workshop, plans were drawn up to (in no particular order):
- Continue advocating for improved and expanded active transportation infrastructure
- Deliver the Bike Valet for the 2023 event/festival season
- Provide cycling events and activities for all ages and skill levels throughout the year
- Further improve and modify the ZenZED bicycle delivery program
- Implement a new membership structure
- Develop cycling instruction in Saskatoon
- Increase outreach and community coalition building
As is always the case, the Saskatoon Cycles board doesn’t accomplish this work on its own; we will again rely on dozens of volunteers to help deliver these important services to the city. We hope you’ll roll up your sleeves in 2023 and support us with your time, energy, and dollars!
The “Snow Joke” Ice Cycle Slow Roll
We had a spirited turnout for the “Snow Joke” ride on Sunday, Jan. 22. Over 20 people came out despite some unpredictable weather for a fun, casual loop on the Meewasin Trail from the Victoria bridge to the Gordie Howe bridge. Road and trail conditions were excellent, and the mild temperatures made for a comfortable visit around the River Landing fire vessel afterward.
Good Earth Coffeehouse provided some excellent snacks and hot chocolate. Thanks to Erin for sacrificing her ride to collect all the goodies!
See the Winter BXYE page for details on our next slow roll coming up on February 11!
Thanks as well to the City of Saskatoon and their WintercityYXE Micro-Grants program for providing financial support to these events.
Update: Bike Doctor’s WBR Campaign
In December’s newsletter, we told you about the Bike Doctor‘s campaign with local couple Greg and Olivia Yuel and Trek bikes to get bicycles into the hands of people in Africa. Through the World Bicycle Relief program, the campaign was able to turn local donations into world famous “Buffalo Bicycles” for around 800 people!
The Bike Doctor raised over $40,000, which was matched by the Yuels, and matched again by Trek bikes in the form of bikes. Greg McKee of The Bike Doctor said:
Saskatoon Cycles members were generous donators and I’d like to thank them and the organization.
Please give yourselves a richly deserved pat on the back for supporting this inspiring and constructive campaign and program!
Seeking: Bikes & Banter Co-ordinator
Bikes & Banter is part of our programming that we’ve been re-evaluating over the summer. It has traditionally involved us setting up shop at some spot in the city where people could come and go for some visiting while out for a bike ride (or stroll or roll). It’s casual, open to anyone, and a great chance to get some fresh air and conversation.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and reliable person to host regular Bike & Banter sessions again. If that’s you, please drop us a line here.
Donations
Your donations give us the resources to press toward a Saskatoon where cycling is a viable, year-round mode of transportation that is safe, convenient, and comfortable for all ages.
We want your kids and their grandma to simply hop on their bikes to go grab an ice cream and enjoy the beauty of Saskatoon. For you or your partner to pick up groceries or a library book. And we really want you to be able to commute to work and back safely and conveniently.
Your donation helps us work on these three ‘pillars’ of cycling development for Saskatoon:
- Infrastructure – A safe, convenient, comfortable and well maintained cycling network throughout the city that allows cyclists to go from every neighbourhood to key destinations
- Ridership – Educate, encourage, and promote cycling so more people choose bicycles as a convenient and safe transportation option year round.
- Culture – Educate, encourage, and promote diversity in ridership with respectful inclusion of all modes of transportation.
