Sustainable Transportation
There are many initiatives across Eastern Ontario that are focused on promoting sustainable transportation. This special feature page showcases a number of these unique initiatives, including organizations, training opportunities, and events.
What is Sustainable Transportation?
Sustainable transport refers to the broad subject of transport that is sustainable in the senses of social, environmental and climate impacts and the ability to, in the global scope, supply the source energy indefinitely. Components for evaluating sustainability include the particular vehicles used for road, water or air transport; the source of energy; and the infrastructure used to accommodate the transport (roads, railways, airways, waterways, canals and terminals).1
1Source: Wikipedia
Sustainable transportation options include vehicle sharing, cycling, fuel efficient vehicles, public transportation, and more!
Organizations
Cycle Salvation
Cycle Salvation is a social enterprise operating under the umbrella of Causeway Work Centre. Our business strives to achieve a triple bottom line (profit, people, planet) by providing training and employment in the field of bike mechanics to people who are economically disadvantaged, while at the same time diverting bikes destined for scrap and landfill sites. Our employees refurbish donated bicycles using a multi-point inspection process. Bicycles range in price from $100 to $350. Please note that we do not offer repairs or tune-ups. www.cyclesalvation.org
Healthy Transportation Coalition
We are a grassroots movement of concerned citizens, organizations and businesses working together to increase healthy transportation policies and necessary infrastructure investments in the National Capital Region. www.healthytransportation.ca
Mississippi Mills Bike Space
The Mississippi Mills Bike Space is located in the parish of St. Paul’s church in Almonte, Ontario. The support we have thus far involves free space underneath the stone building of the rectory overlooking the Mississippi River as well as material gifts in kind from parishioners who wish to live out this vision by contributing time, expertise or tools. Some of the ideas we have been considering in this project as The Bicycle, a vehicle for Social and Spiritual Change. www.ruralcotranspo.net/2014/04/29/mississippi-mills-bike-space-in-the-parish-of-st-pauls-almonte
Right Bike
RightBike is a community owned-and-operated bike share service operating in the neighbourhoods of Westboro, Wellington West, and the Glebe. We operate by lending Bikes for 1 or 3 day trips, then the user returns the bike to any of our conveniently located hubs! Users are able to purchase passes for each trip, or an annual membership for unlimited trips. www.rightbike.org
Rural Co Transpo
The purpose of rural CoTranspo is to encourage a ‘ spiritual shift’ in the means by which we move ourselves to places. That shift involves using the body, the mind, and the spiritual intention to plan errands/trips,etc with a friendly machine, like a bicycle. www.ruralcotranspo.net
Training
In order to ‘sustain’ your transportation, there are programs to help train you in what you need to know. In addition, several partners are looking at ways to collaborate on Eastern Ontario training opportunities.
Winterborne
Winterborne Bicycle Institute provides excellent Bicycle Maintenance courses – both intensive and introductory weekend events in Guelph, ON. Find out more about the Winterborne courses at www.winterbornebikes.com/courses
Festivals & Special Events
Bike City, Great City – Film Screenings
Bike City, Great City is an uplifting ride through cities that are embracing cycling as a liberating, convenient and healthy way to get to where you want to go. Directed by David Chernushenko. Produced by Living Lightly Productions/Green & Gold Inc and Executive Producers Terry Kimmel and Tucker House Renewal Centre. www.bikecitythemovie.ca
Capital Velo Fest
Capital Velo Fest is most well-known for its spring bike festival in Ottawa, ON. In addition, we create and promote cycling events and activities that have elements of education, information and entertainment. We partner with cycling groups, businesses and government agencies to develop cycling skills and knowledge in youth, families, employees and seniors. Our events use fun as a persuasive force to influence the choice to ride. Commuting bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes — we love them all! Unicycles, two-wheelers, tandem bikes, and trikes — riding a bike is fun in all of its forms! We combine the pleasure of cycling with education, information, and entertainment in bicycle festivals, bicycle rallies and bicycle rodeos to encourage people to get on their bikes, for more reasons and more seasons. www.capitalvelofest.ca
Mississippi Mills Bike Month
During the month of June, several bicycle-related events are held throughout Mississippi Mills. www.facebook.com/mmbicyclemonthpage/info
Velo Boulot – Cycle to Work
The City of Gainteau has a bike to work event. www.reseauveloboulot.ca/rvb
