This marvellous, month long, velo-love festival is the result of the hard work of many people both past and present.
A Lunar Cycle Month was initiated by the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society (EBC), several years ago, and ran for approximately six (6) years The Lunar Cycle was a celebration of all things bikey and included events such as a bike to work breakfasts, participation in the silly summer parade with our lovely cow-on-a-bike mascot, advocacy outreach, a critical mass ride and many other events. What with the avails of time, both EBC and the festival settled into gentle obscurity, to rise again in it’s current incarnation of a mega leader for Edmonton commuters.
The next incarnation of a bike festival in Edmonton was envisioned and hosted by the Association of Cycle Messengers of Edmonton (ACME) member cycle courier Biker Bill, who worked diligently to bring together various and sundry folk in the cycling community. Bill’s efforts were rewarded when it was decided that Edmonton would be the host of the North American Cycle Courier Championships (NACCC).
In 2001, the NACCC touched the collective memory of the bicycle community and brought cyclists of all race and creed together to assist in this event. An added bonus to the event was the participation of Rainbow Bridge Communications Company, headed by the fabulous Ms. Barb Allard. Barb has arranged the ecology portion of each festival since then, ensuring that we have solar powered music, environmental activities for children and outstanding musicians. Barb also ensures we have a visual record of each Bikeology Festival and has created “Barb’s Bike Shorts”, independent films created by local film makers. “Barb’s Bike Shorts” are viewed before each feature film at Metro Cinema bike Mondays in June and at the ride-in outdoor movie.
Also in 2001 the City of Edmonton hired the lovely Ms. Claire Stock to do bicycle transportation planning. Claire Stock is devoted to the bicycle and was instrumental in bringing all the various biking elements together. Claire moved to Australia this year and was replaced by another Claire, Claire Ellick. Also working from the office of Sustainable Transportation with the City of Edmonton since 2005, Claire Ellick has brought several City of Edmonton Transportation employees who, together with Claire, offer great support including booking sites throughout the downtown core where the bike-love happens.
So, with the festival spirit reawakened, a handful of people who are keen to share bicycle love, started plotting how to create and foster the cycling community in Edmonton. Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) came to the planning table, and since then, MEC has been an integral part of Bike Month. Karina Low, who was the MEC rep for years, moved on from that position to be replaced by none other than Karly Coleman. With Karly now wearing a MEC hat, the key representative from EBC is now Molly Turnbull.
We had such a wonderful time at the first Bikeology that we decided to do it again and again and again. Each year we add to it as well. Karly travelled to Portland and appropriated their Mocktails on the Bridge Event. aMy Leigh found signage in Vancouver that we adapted to our needs. Molly Turnbull brought information and ideas from the London (ON) bike festival which she helped organize. Claire E. works diligently behind the scenes to ensure the Bike Community comes out and their offerings are recognized. Eric wrangles mechanics and is working on a package of bikey info to hand out to the cyclists of the world. Karly with MEC and Claire E. with the City keep the folks fed by providing yummy snacks at each of the Bike To Work Breakfasts. We have added Bike Salons, a Pancake Breakfast, a jewelry making session with used bike bits, Monday Movies at Metro Cinema, a competition for the best trailer made with reused parts at Bikeology, the commuter challenge and our favourite – Outdoor Ride in Movies…
To that end, we welcome you to the most current incarnation of Bike Month and Bikeology, where we celebrate the vehicle of the future in Edmonton.
Alberta Bicycle Association, Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society, City of Edmonton – Transportation Department, Edmonton Arts Council, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Rainbow Bridge Communications, Earth’s General Store, Metro Cinema, Edmonton Transit, Credo Café are excited to bring you the 8th annual Bikeology and the 5th annual Bike Month – a festival of bikes and ecology, of velo-love, a month long festival that carries our bike festival tradition of times past into the future! We’ll see YOU there!