it's what we want

'more people cycling more often'

It has been forty years since the first group of cyclists was formed with the specific intent of lobbying the City for accommodation of bicycles within the transportation system. Bikes were competing with massive automobiles produced by Detroit. The efforts of these pioneering cycling commuters resulted in the formation of a bikeway system, which we now know as one of North America's most extensive recreational multiple use pathway systems. Commuter cyclists created a system that became popular legacy for all Calgarians but which has never been designed nor built for high speed commuting.

There have been major studies or policies produced every decade but the primary focus of the Transportation Department is the efficiency of a transportation system for the movement of single occupant vehicles. Unfortunately today, little evidence can be found on the streets of Calgary to demonstrate that a serious effort is underway to develop a more sustainable transportation system. The mode share of travel by bicycle is less then one percent. Cities such as Seattle, Montreal, Amsterdam and Melbourne are measuring the mode share of bicycle travel in percentages and showing impressive year over year growth rates.

The Calgary tour de nuit Society began in January of 2009, after becoming the only environmental non-government organization (ENGO) in the world to be sponsored by a Royal Danish Embassy and to host the international, urban sustainability (i.e. commuter cycling) exhibit ‘Dreams on Wheels’. CtdnS is modeled on the world's major commuter cycling promotion associations or clubs and has been demonstrating that only a professional organization can monitor transportation policy and react in a timely manner to enhance the conditions for commuter cyclists. In 2008 Seattle's Cascade Bicycle Club provided in kind assistance for the CtdnS board to undertake a comprehensive strategic plan.

In August 2009, CtdnS organized the first Calgary Bicycle Festival, which put Calgary on the map with other major North American cities that have done so for years as a commitment to sustainable transportation. (CtdnS received some financial support from City Council.)

To address public attitudes toward active and sustainable transportation, the CtdnS launched the ‘Ride the Road’ tour in 2009. The tour is on-street, closed-road ride that gives participants the sensation of cycling in Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Calgary’s transportation system lacks adedicated commuter cycling infrastructure but to achieve this effect, a ‘rolling road closure’ is provided by Calgary Police Services for the tour. To highlight the need for smooth road surfaces and to promote bicycle commuting, CtdnS invited Fugro Roadware to showcase its made-in Canada, road surface analyzer equipment to the cycling community and Calgary transportation engineers. The ARANS truck, bristling with antennae and sophisticated electronics, was the first ‘Ride the Road’ pace vehicle. (A hearty "thank you" goes out to the City of Edmonton for sharing the vehicle.)

The Calgary tour de nuit Society is currently working on a proposal for a 'Road Diet' in the downtown central business district. This will be the first dedicated cycling infrastructure in Calgary when it is finally approved.