By Sheldon Spackman

going Vehicle-Free

Cyclovia to roll through the streets of downtown Red Deer Sunday

Aug 9, 2019 | 9:31 AM

Hundreds of Red Deerians are once again anticipated to get active and enjoy the city’s downtown for a ‘Free Open Streets’ event this weekend.

The Second Annual Cyclovia takes place Sunday, Aug 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and encourages residents to walk, run, bike, rollerblade, anything but drive, and enjoy Red Deer’s downtown business community and the numerous vendors planned to be on-hand, while offering you the chance to eat and do a little shopping as well.

Hosted by the Red Deer Association for Bicycle Commuting (RDABC), the day starts with a pancake breakfast from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for a toonie or food bank donation in the downtown core, as well as bike decorating at the Dawe Library and Kerry Wood Nature Centre before parading to the downtown.

Other scheduled activities include Yoga for Cyclists from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at City Hall Park and a Walking Tour with Peggy Freeman starting at 1:00 p.m. at the RDABC tent.

In addition, there will be live music by Paeton Cameron, 106.7 The Drive and BIG 105, as well as free bicycle parking courtesy of the Primary Care Network, free Red Deer Transit bus rides out of downtown and lots of room for everyone to ride their longboard, scooter, tricycles, walkers, wheelchairs, segways and more.

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Event spokesperson Elizabeth Hagell says there will be some downtown street closures in place to help make space for their Active Living Zone, Community Living Zone, Kid’s Zone / Bike Rodeo, Sustainable Living Zone, Entertainment Zone, Market Zone and other services.

“We’re talking about active transport, so getting people out cycling, walking, transit, non-car types of getting around the city,” she explains. “If you look at the Red Deer Multi-Modal Transport Plan, really the average commute in Red Deer is about four kilometres and so a very easy transit ride or very easy bike ride for most people. Not all the time maybe but it certainly is a good option for folks.”

Hagell also highlights the environmental benefits that stem from active transportation.

“We’re looking at trying to reduce greenhouse gases, so taking transit, using non-car activities to get around town,” she explains. “We are looking at health. Look at the rates of chronic illness, so much of those are related to sedentary lifestyles and not being active enough.”

According to Hagell, it’s essentially all about community building.

“It’ll be a great place to be, lots of fabulous local shops and businesses,” exclaims Hagell. “Spend your money locally and support downtown, the great restaurants and cafés. We want to spread the good word about how great downtown Red Deer is.”

Hagell hopes the event which already receives strong community support, encourages the City to eventually expand beyond just painted bike lanes in the downtown core.

“We are hoping that people see the value of safe, active transport where you’re not having to worry about traffic, you’re separate from the traffic,” she explains. “When you look at the research in terms of encouraging more people to use active transport, segregated bike lanes are the way to go. If you look at Calgary and Edmonton, their ridership in terms of cycling has gone up exponentially since they’ve put in separated bike lanes.”

For more information on Cyclovia, visit www.bikereddeer.com.