EPISODE 126: Winter Cycling in Oil Country

Hello Patreoners!

Have we got a fun — and long — episode for you.

It's May! Bike Month! A time of glorious weather in most of North America and the northern hemisphere. But let's talk about WINTER!

Back in February, we attended the Winter Cycling Congress in Edmonton, Alberta at the invitation of Edmonton City Councillor Michael Janz. The minute Michael emailed us and asked us if we wanted to do a live show there, we were intrigued. We said yes almost immediately.

Edmonton is big and cold. Despite freezing temps, lots of sprawl, big trucks, and an economy built on pulling oil out of the Albertan tar sands, the Western Canadian city is in the midst of an unlikely cycling revolution. Over four years, the city will spend $100 million CAD to connect far-flung neighborhoods with a network of safe, high-quality, protected bike lanes. Many of these bike lanes will even get priority over roads for cars when it comes to snow removal. You gotta love it.

We traveled to the home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and talked with the people pushing for this transformation, including the city’s former mayor, Don Iveson. Our live show is included in this episode, along with lots of brilliant comments from people from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Boston and other cold cities. Honestly, talking with ordinary people advocating for positive change is our favorite part of events like this. You'll also hear a drive-time radio hit I did on CHED AM in Edmonton — not exactly our usual audience. Let us know what you think.

Like I said, this is a long one but there were so many great nuggets from the folks in Edmonton that we didn't want to leave anything out.

I know we're all enjoying some good weather right now, but let us know if you have good tips for cycling through the winter or success stories from around the world.

Thanks for your support,

Doug

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SHOW NOTES:

Tom Babin of Shifter says Edmonton is “the most exciting bike city in North America.”

Learn more about Edmonton’s former mayor, Don Iveson and City Councillor Michael Janz.

Check out The Winter Cycling Federation and listen to Sarah’s dispatch from the 2020 Winter Cycling Congress in Finland.

Read all about the Edmonton Bike Plan.

Learn more about “Oil Country Urbanism” from Oh The Urbanity! and check out About Here on YouTube.

Lorne Gunter of the Edmonton Sun thinks charging drivers to park is a “war on cars.”

Save 10% on everything in The War on Cars store, including winter toques, with code BIKEMONTH