HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-10-084 - Waterloo Region Freewheels ProjectJ
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REPORT T0: Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 26, 2010
SUBMITTED BY: Cycling Advisory Committee
PREPARED BY: Ronald Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards (519-741-
2232)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: April 16, 2010
REPORT NO.: DTS-10-084
SUBJECT: WATERLOO REGION FREEWHEELS PROJECT
RECOMMENDATIONS:
For Information only
BACKGROUND:
Representatives from Ziggy's Cycle made a presentation at the Cycling Advisory Committee
meeting on April 13 outlining the Waterloo Region Freewheels Project and the overall benefits
of cycling in terms of personal health and wellbeing, the environment and the local community
and how one of the goals of the Waterloo Region Freewheels Project is to encourage cycling in
the city. The Cycling Advisory Committee directed staff to report to Council on behalf of the
Committee in regards to this Project.
REPORT:
Ziggy's Cycle is celebrating their 25t" anniversary this year and wishes to recognize the support
of the community over the years and encourage cycling in the city by initiating the Waterloo
Region Freewheels Project. This project is based on the highly successful Biketown program
that has been operating the United States for several years and features giving bicycles to
individuals who are able to demonstrate that the bicycle is going to have a significant impact for
them or their community. The Freewheels Project will give away 25 commuter bicycles and
related safety gear on or about June 1, 2010.
Any resident in the region who believes that a bicycle would change their lives in some way is
eligible to participate. Applicants would need to commit to using the bicycle for a year to partially
substitute for automobile trips. Contestants are required to compose an essay of no longer than
300 words outlining their issues, needs and goals. The factors that will be considered by the
selection committee of Ziggy's Cycle, which participants may choose to include in their essay,
includes the impact that having a bicycle will have on their lives and the community in terms of
health, economics and environment.
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There would be a survey upon acceptance into the program to assess attitudes towards cycling
and perceptions of cycling infrastructure in KitchenerlWaterloo as well as a physical
assessment. Participants would be required to blog about their experiences over the course of
the summer riding season and changes in their physical health would be assessed periodically.
The central ambition of the project is to create meaningful change in the community by
encouraging physical fitness and promoting environmentally sustainable transportation. Fitting
will take place in May and the bicycles will be officially given over at a ceremony in early on or
about June 1, 2010. Participants are expected to use their bicycles regularly for either utilitarian
or recreational purposes. Upon successful completion of the Program the bicycles will be
permanently given to the participants on September 10, 2010.
The Waterloo Region Freewheels Project is unprecedented in Canada and represents an
important investment in the community, both in terms of the bicycles themselves and the
awareness and information generated from the experience of the participants.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
CONCLUSION:
The Cycling Advisory Committee fully supports the Waterloo Region Freewheels Project as a
positive initiative in promoting cycling and the benefits of cycling within our community. It is felt
by the Committee that initiatives such as this one need to be supported by the City in order to
aid in their success and the ultimate goal of getting more people on bicycles more often in our
community.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager,
Development and Technical Services
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