A Successful Meeting in Parksville

A great meeting on a rainy day. The torrential downpour just before the event ensured that many had soggy feet. The BCCC Moving Cycling Forward forum in Parksville attracted 30 cyclists from all around Vancouver Island. The new Oceanside Cycling Coalition is off to a great start lead by Jim Swanson. It was good to see former VACC President John Fair who now lives in Parksville involved. Participants included Carrie Powell-Davidson the Deputy Mayor of Parksville and Joan Michel the Parks and Trails Coordinator for Regional District of Nanaimo. Their contributions were much appreciated. Thanks to Jim  and BCCC Vice President Rob Rao for organizing the meeting.

The meeting started off with presentations by BCCC Board members Jack Becker and Richard Campbell:

• Municipalities have Choice for Their Transportation Plans of the Future 
• Preparing for the Third Wave of Cyclists – Designing cycling facilities for everyone from 8 to 80 
• Five is the New Twenty – The advantages of quickly completing cycling networks 
• Provincial and Federal Cycling Strategies – Increasing cycling while reducing collisions

The presentations were followed by a lively discussion of local and provincial issues including:

• Cycling tourism and BCCC's Golden Eagles Cycling Routes Proposal
• Cycling education in schools
• Added cycling paths to existing highways in rural areas
• Using unused road allowances for cycling paths
• The importance of engaging local politicians

The more we have these meetings in communities, the more we realize the value sharing of success stories, challenges and experience among cycling groups throughout the province. Joining the BCCC email discussion list is one way of sharing such information. This blog is another such opportunity. 

To get involved in the Oceanside Cycling Coalition, please go to their website.

The next BCCC forum will be in Abbotsford on July 16 hosted by the the Abbotsford Cycling Action Group. Stay tuned for details.