Immigrant communities and cycling

[shootingstar]

What is the cycling community in Edmonton seem to be like there?

Up to now, the local cycling advocacy in Vancouver does not yet have specialized targetting of projects/programs for specific non-English speaking groups or socio-economic groups for increased cycling participation.

One thing that's good as an example or "organic" development of cycling infrastructure is in the historic, old Chinatown in Vancouver (There are several Chinatowns in Metro Vancouver..it makes Seattle and Portland VERY pale in terms of diversity, etc. No pun, intended. Anyway, look beyond the Chinatowns. Infiltration is all over the city and suburbs.) :

There are several signed bike routes that run through and by the historic Chinatown. From several different directions, there are a blend of marked bike lanes and off-road paved sections. Not just 1 token bike lane. I think the oldest bike lane must be at least 10 years old. Since then, there are been more bike route sections and routes created. This is the best possible scenario of how cycling infrastructure can develop to serve a neighbourhood: organic, natural development to serve people, regardless of social class, language, etc.

I know the local cycling advocacy group in their local media press releases, they sometimes do include the non-English language press in their emails, etc....which at this time is in English only...which in turn the bilingual reporters would have to synthesize and translate for their audience(s). Not totally efficient, but not totally wrong /inappropriate.

Just as an interesting point: Last fall, we had different Bike to Work Week commuter information tables set up near major bike routes and near commuter rail stations. I did hang out at some stations to helps out. One of our locations was situated during an late afternoon-evening right at the edge of Chinatown. All the regular cycling adocates were there and we all had a good happy time, chatting about while giving out info., coffee and energy bars to passing cyclists. Someone even cycled in with their audio music boombox.

Though I didn't actively look at every stopping cycling commuter....I can safely say, that there were not many Asian-looking faces among cyclists that dropped by to say hi. But those that did, were regular cyclists. We had hardly any walk-up pedestrians...I think alot of pedestrians, regardless of colour tend to be shy when they sense a "group" thing that suggests a code of behaviour, in-language that reflects the passion of a group.

Methinks people that we expect to frequent an area for cycling, might well be cycling elsewhere, not interested or outreach efforts still needs improvement.

Some other thoughts: I am aware that the local cycling group member did have some preliminary contact with one of the First Nations (native Indian) local groups..where they just went ahead and formed their own cycling group. (Musqueam group) Which is great.

NByNW: By the way, alot of Canadians don't express/dwell on the illegal vs. legal immigrant issue. It's not a common part of everyday vocabulary here.