Start new year with shift into high gear

Just like a tough uphill climb, sometimes you have to focus on the struggle one pedal crank at a time. Here in Lethbridge, it’s been a slow and steady grind but we’re finally starting to gain traction and are excited for 2018 to be the best year yet for cycling in our community.

BikeBridge Cycling Association first came together back in 2010, when the City of Lethbridge had proposed a new cycling bylaw that included mandatory helmet regulations, and lumped in cyclists with all other “personal conveyance devices” such as rollerblades, skateboards and wheeled skis (does anyone still use those things?). The proposed bylaw was dumped, but it’s taken many years to make progress on the bigger issues finally addressed in the recent Cycling Master Plan approved by city council in July 2017. Though far from perfect, it outlines an infrastructure network that will encourage safer cycling throughout the city to be developed over the next 20 years.

While the lengthy timeline is frustrating (as is the lack of focus on education and awareness), BikeBridge has remained focused on developing the cycling community through a variety of events and initiatives to bring cyclists together. During the 2016 Tour of Alberta stage hosted in Lethbridge, a number of events like bike rodeos, cycle concerts and a bike-in film night helped promote the social aspect of cycling within the community. In 2017 we hosted a winter cycling film screening and held our second annual Jane’s Ride, a fun and informative historical cycling tour around town.

This year, we’re looking to step it up a notch after receiving funding to host Lethbridge’s firstever Bike Week program of events and activities. With group rides, workshops, another bike-in film festival and more fun ways to get out and ride, we’re hoping to foster more riders into getting out to “put some fun between their legs” this year in Lethbridge.

And with our classic chinook winds giving us great weather these days, we’re keeping busy all winter long! Coming up next week, we’ve got the “Cycling For Anyone in (Almost) Any Weather” winter cycling workshop hosted by Shelagh Graham. This city planner, language instructor, community activist, baker and soon-to-be mom has been cycling year-round for nearly five years. Starting in Winnipeg (brrrrr!) and now Lethbridge, she continues to bike commute regularly in her third trimester.

But don’t get the wrong impression, Shelagh wasn’t raised by hippies on unicycles. At age 25 she could ride a bike ... full stop. But over the past 10 years she’s slowly become a confident and competent rider participating in cycle tours, mountain biking adventures, cyclocross racing and most recently bicycle polo. From basically zero to bike hero, Shelagh will help you understand how to get started and build yourself up, and will also be joined by a few other experienced winter cyclists to share tricks and tips.

Bring your bike for this hands-on event with plenty of demonstrations, all taking place on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in the cozy confines of Theoretically Brewing Company (1263-B 2 Ave. S.). Find the links to register in advance through our website at bikebridge.ca, on twitter @BikeBridge or at Facebook.com/groups/bikebridge.