22-April-2008 minutes
Guest Speaker: Dr. John Fryer, Green Party Candidate
Present: Tobi Ming, Dave Beer, John Van Beek, Mirislav Kolar, Jordan Ellis, Jim Kirby, Clive Gibson, Janna Davies, Bernie Dunning, Keith Brown, Chris Boldt
John Fryer lead an open discussion on bicycling, how it's use can be increased, what factors restrict people from using bicycles more, what more could governments at all levels do to increase bicycle use, what groups like the GNCC and individuals can do, and what trends can be seen in bicycling in general, where electric bikes may fit in the future. John has been actively involved with promoting the Island Corridor Foundation, open discussion on this topic. Following are some random points brought forth: What should be done in the cycling world? What can governments do? Island Corridor Foundation? Thoughts?
Ideas:- Make cities more bike friendly
- Integrate bike use into our overall transportation system
- Cycle training
- City involvement? City of Nanaimo is designating bike lanes
Other Issues:
- What encouragement is there for young people to cycle? Must be seen to be safe. There are courses, but virtually insignificant in carry out.
- Should cyclists be licensed?
- If there were more cyclists, things would get better. As it is cycling and cyclists continue to be viewed (in North America) as road nuisances.
- Electric bicycles should be a growth industry
- Bike to work week is worthwhile
- One of the biggest ways to get people to lessen frivolous use of automobiles is to increase the price of gas……
- Should be more information for vehicle drivers about rights of cyclists
- Should be more infrastructure (road markings, bike lanes, etc.) built-in
- Should enforce mandatory helmet laws in BC
- Should locally extend E&N trails along side the E&N railway.
Busuiness Meeting
- Beer and Burger fundraising? There was general agreement that a fundraising event such as a beer/burger night would bring in much needed funding, but as usual the person-power needed to expedite such a thing is in scarce supply. There are plenty of great ideas (see again notes re John Fryer), but without a larger membership base (in the GNCC) most ideas will remain just that, great ideas.
- The Green solutions event, which was to be held on April 19 but was snowed out, may be rescheduled to June. We have a number of donated items which were to be raffled at the event.
- John VB has some items available from his move to Victoria that he would like to donate to the GNCC. These are not bike related items, but could be sold (at a garage sale maybe???) and money given to the GNCC coffers. A HUGE thank you to John for this offer. Is anyone planning to hold a garage sale soon where these items could be included??
- Jim and Debby will auction/sell the bike trailers currently in GNCC inventory at Jim’s place.
- There is a fair amount of GNCC material in storage at Jim/Debby’s basement which should be sorted out and obsolete stuff discarded. Jim will undertake this task within the next week or so. Any member wanting to help can call Jim at 751-0993.
- Bike ride organized for this Sunday by Tobi Ming
- Critical Mass bike ride this Saturday at 0900 Earth Day – Susie Dunn is the contact starting at 5th and Wakesiah.
- Bike to Work and School Week is on June 2 – 8
- John Van Beek advises letter has been sent to Island Corridor Foundation re having bike storage at the re-built train station, whenever this may happen.
- Taryn Langford put on a CanBike course in Duncan. She remains available to put on further courses. Dave will contact Taryn – suggest a course could be put on during Bike Week June 2-8
- John van Beek let the group know that this has been the last GNCC meeting that he will attend because he and his wife Lavanna are moving to Victoria soon. John has been active in the GNCC and the local cycling scene for many years and his enthusiasm and endless optimism will be greatly missed. We all wish John and Lavanna the very best in their new adventure.
Adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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Last updated: October 26, 2008.