Saskatoon Cycles March 2023 Newsletter
Slow Roll Lineup
We had an incredibly fun time at the Ice Breaker Slow Roll on March 4. The literal ice wasn’t broken at all, and conditions made for some challenging riding, especially for some first time winter cyclists. However, conversations broke out everywhere, and everyone had a safe tour and arrived back at the River Landing fire vessel to enjoy some delicious hot chocolate and treats from Good Earth Coffeehouse.
Thanks to the City of Saskatoon and the Wintercity YXE Micro-Grant program for helping us make the ride successful and nourishing!
You can check out a quick video clip of the ride here:
We’re already looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming Slow Rolls:
April 15, 2023 – Hop Along Slow Roll
The Hop Along will be a post-Easter ride that may involve some hiding and hunting for tasty and eggciting treats! Bring a keen eye and an appetite for relaxed exploration!
May 13, 2023 – Spring BYXE Week Kickoff Slow Roll
We’ll be gearing up for another week of fun and challenging activities with the Spring BYXE Week (May 15 – 22), with this ride as the unofficial start. Come and find out what you can look forward to during Saskatoon’s celebration of cycling!
Bikes, Art, and Dreams: Tim Brown
By Jason Hanson, Communications Manager, Saskatoon Cycles
When I moved from small town Saskatchewan to Saskatoon in 1990, I came with big ideas. I was going to become an artist. I would write a novel or two. Direct some movies. There would be no particular order to these creative achievements, of course, I would just gradually complete them one by one as the muses guided me until – voila – I would arrive as the universe intended. Fame and fortune awaited, as surely as the sun rose in the east. My mom bought me a drafting table for my artwork, I bought good pens and paper, read a lot of comics and wore out VHS tapes for inspiration, and got down to work.
In early 1991, I realized that I did not have the “luxury” to fully develop my crafts: there were bills to pay, obligations to fulfill, relationships to develop, and as a result my frivolous hobbies would have to wait. I got a job delivering pizza, and threw myself into the work. Lurking just below the surface was the truth; I lacked the discipline and disposition to be a proper artist. I was impatient with my own lack of skill, easily distracted with ideas, while alternately uninspired. I drew a handful of doodles and stopped. The drafting table collected dust and my pens dried out.
A few years later I came across the work of Tim Brown… read the full blog post here.
Bike Valet
We’re excited to gear up for another fun season of the Bike Valet!
Last year, we parked almost 4,000 bicycles at 10 different events and festivals, and in 2023 we’re hoping to do even more! We’re already signing up with organizers and inviting everyone get ready for some shifts this season. Hopefully you’ll help us deliver the best bicycle attendant service anywhere!
Our upcoming venues are below. Mark the dates; we’ll be posting volunteer information for them soon.
- May 28th, 2023 – Saskatchewan Marathon
- June 1 – 4, 2023 – Nutrien Children’s Festival
Please note that for the Nutrien Children’s Festival, it will be mandatory for potential Bike Valet volunteers to get a valid criminal record check including a vulnerable sector check in order to operate onsite. The fees for these checks are waived* when accompanied by a volunteer letter (see below).
If you live in Saskatoon, download the Children’s Festival letter for Saskatoon City Police
If you live outside Saskatoon, download the Children’s Festival letter for the RCMP
*There may be fees for online processing if applications are not made in person.
If you already have a valid vulnerable sector check letter (processed within the last two (2) years), you will not need to apply for one this year. Please bring your letter with you for Festival staff verification.
If you have any questions about this year’s Bike Valet, please contact us at bikevalet@saskatooncycles.org
We’re looking forward to seeing you out for another great year of fun, professional bike valet service!
Bike Valet Supervisor Position
If you’re looking for some fun, part-time work in an outdoor environment, do we have the position for you! Saskatoon Cycles is looking for a Bike Valet Supervisor to manage the onsite operations for the 2023 season. Duties include:
- onboarding and working with volunteers
- setting up and taking down of valet
- arranging towing of the trailer with Astro Towing
- organizing the volunteer schedule
If you’re interested and would like to find out more, please contact Erin at bikevalet@saskatooncycles.org
Dudley Street Active Travel Improvements
Saskatoon will be gaining a new stretch of active transportation infrastructure, thanks to a joint investment between the City of Saskatoon and the Government of Canada. On March 17, it was announced that $2.6 million will be spent to enhance Dudley Street between Dawes Avenue and Spadina Crescent.
The project will add 1 kilometre of multi-use pathway west of Avenue P, 800 meters of neighbourhood bikeway, and approximately 1 kilometre of sidewalk to connect residential neighbourhoods with employment areas such as the West Industrial Area, recreation spaces, as well as the Meewasin Trail along the South Saskatchewan River. Completing this key link in the City’s active mobility network will offer residents more urban transportation options and will help promote an active lifestyle in the community.
City of Saskatoon press release, March 17, 2023
We’re always very glad to see improvements to our active travel infrastructure, and see this as a sign that multiple levels of government are increasing their awareness of, and funding for, safer, expanded connections for active urban travelers.
We will continue to advocate for projects like these throughout Saskatoon in our quest to make cycling and other active transportation accessible and safe for everyone.
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.
