what we want

'more people cycling more often'

Until a meeting at the City of Calgary's Standing Policy Committee on Land Use, Planning and Transportation in June 2008, Calgary's bicycle commuters had only been vicariously represented by recreational cyclists. At that time, another bicycle policy was being passed by a group of municipal aldermen. 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. Cities such as Seattle, Portland, Amsterdam and Melbourne are measuring the mode share of bicycle travel in percentages and showing impressive year over year growth rates (while Calgary’s active transportation mode share is not even registering). Bicycle commuter numbers can only be measured in the thousands in the summer and hundreds in the winter.

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’.

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.