Cycling in Ottawa » organizations

Spacing Ottawa

Padraic — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:07:27 +0000

We’ve been quite fond in the past of linking to articles from Spacing, the fantastic Toronto-based urbanism magazine. Now, CiO readers should be sure to subscribe to their new Ottawa blog, where they cover such issues as Lansdowne, pedestrian bridges and Big Joe Mufferaw. As well, in Spacing Radio #012, you can hear Spacing Ottawa editor Evan Thornton discuss the tension “between the ceremonial and the everyday” in designing Ottawa.

Finally, I recently bought a print subscription to Spacing, and despite the high price, it’s definitely worth it. Given the huge amount of content these folks create covering urban issues in a variety of cities, I’m happy to support them.

WarmShowers.org: Couchsurfing for Touring Cyclists

Joshua — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:22:54 +0000

During my spring break from school I headed down to California and bicycled with three friends along the coast. They’re all McGill alums who are cycling around the US. They left Salt Spring Island in January and are going to wind up on Rhode Island this summer. The details of their story, and the raison d’etre of their trip, are on their blog at www.theurgencyofnow.us.

One of the tools that they’ve been using on their trip is www.warmshowers.org, a sort of “couchsurfing for cyclists”. You create a listing on the site in order to let cyclists stay with you and to stay at the homes of fellow cyclists along your route. It’s still a nascent service, with fewer than 10,000 users, that’s been online for less than three years. By way of comparison, there are 1 Million Couchsurfers as of this month. That said, despite the smaller userbase, there are some noteable advantages to using warmshowers over the more general sites like Couchsurfing and Hospitality Club:

You are going to stay with someone who understands what it’s like to be cycling for an extended period of time. You’ll likely have an understanding host if you’re in need of a shower or want to borrow a tool.
The site strives to make itself useable for people for people who are cycling and thereby have spotty internet access. For example, you can print off contact information en masse for people in a specific geographic area.
You can search user profiles on the site for criteria that just aren’t as relevant to other sorts of travellers. Want to find someone who has storage space so that you can leave your bike box? Check. Want to know how far someone is from the nearest bicycle repair shop? Check. Want to know if they have a car for vehicle support? Check.

WarmShowers.org

The right to bike

Padraic — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:59:04 +0000

While this blog has waxed ambivalent on Critical Mass before, I have to say I was heartened to see that the British House of Lords has over-ruled attempet at police restrictions on the event. Essentially, the police wanted to require “prior notice of the ride’s date, time and route and the names and addresses of the organisers” for every CM ride. The law lords say CM is not bound by the Public Order Act, which would have allowed suched restrictions.

Citizen’s for Safe Cycling AGM this thursday

Mike — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:40:30 +0000

Citizens for Safe Cycling will be holding its Annual General Meeting this Thursday at the McNabb Community Centre. There’s a social event at 6PM; the meeting itself starts at 7PM, where they will elect a number of board positions. You have to be a CfSC member to vote or stand for election. Full details here (PDF).

CfSC does a tremendous amount of work, so if you are around you should check it out. I think that I’ll make an appearance, if only because McNabb is essentially next to my house.

Ottawa-based Otesha Project Recruiting for Canadian Cycling Adventures

Joshua — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:21:48 +0000

On this most snowy of days, when cycling is far from the minds of most Ottawans, I want to spread the word about Ottawa-based organization The Otesha Project’s 2008 biking tours. Having taken two months this past summer to cycle on an exhilarating tour with them myself, I have witnessed first hand the incredible melding of cycling and environmentalism that is Otesha.

You will travel Canada by bicycle for two months while living, playing and volunteering with an incredible community of hopeful, inspired youth. You’ll give theatrical performances that show how our daily actions can affect the environment, global poverty, and ourselves. You’ll gain the skills and confidence to create the change you want to see in the world! If you are between 18 and 30, volunteer for a 2008 Otesha Cycling and Performing Tour.

The Otesha Project is a youth-run charitable organization that uses theatre to mobilize young people to create local and global change through their daily choices.

There is more information and inspiration at www.otesha.ca (including a delectable selection of routes!). As well check out an interview with Kathleen Cote of the Otesha Project at www.mikepowell.ca. Especially after the Bali Conference, we know that our current way of life is harming the planet and its inhabitants. Only hope and action will remedy this. For a better future, we each must re-evaluate our own actions and BE the positive change we want to see in the world. Thank you.