To Saskatoon Cycles membership:

The main goal of Saskatoon Cycles over the past year has been to convince the City of Saskatoon and City Council that an increase in money set aside for cycling infrastructure is key to improving the safety of cyclists in our city.

Currently, the city dedicates $75,000 per year to these initiatives; an amount that Saskatoon Cycles has been clear is far too small.

Members of Saskatoon Cycles and others in the community have been working the past few months to convince City Administration and Council that an increase in cycling spending is a sound investment for the residents of Saskatoon.  The preliminary 2012 budget was recently released and we are proud to announce that it includes a total of $500,000 for cycling, an increase of $425,000 over this year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Doctor Touts Benefits of Cycling, Calls for Better/Safer Infrastructure

Saskatoon, October 4, 2011 – Evidence is mounting that the benefits of urban cycling far outweigh the risks. Saskatoon Cycles, a cycling advocacy group with over 1,200 members, is pointing to studies showing that urban cycling, with its reputation as a risky business, produces a dramatic net health benefit.

Cycling commuters live longer. An estimated 3-14 months of life was gained by an individual shifting from the car to the bicycle for short trips. A study cited in Walking and Cycling for Healthy Cities, (Pucher, J. and R. Buehler,) compares that startling benefit to the estimated 5-9 days lost due to the risk of traffic crashes.

A 2010 Canadian study by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health supports those results. It reports that a moderate amount of cycle commuting or brisk walking has been shown to greatly reduce rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, many cancers, and improve mental health.

Dr. John Dosman of Saskatoon agrees: “As a family physician the major health challenges I address every day, and will in the future, are those chronic conditions we hear so much about–obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, depression, and anxiety.  The scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows that even 15 minutes of daily exercise can change outcomes for these conditions. But I struggle each day to find ways to get my patients to be more active.  Helping them to find the time in their busy schedules to conveniently include physical activity is often one of the main challenges.”

All members are encouraged to attend our first-ever AGM!

What: Saskatoon Cycles 2011 AGM

When: Thursday, October 13th, 700-830pm

Where: UofS Grad Student Commons, 1337 College Drive.

Agenda: TBA

We will be giving away a bike courtesy of The Bike Doctor, all members in attendance have a chance to win!

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As a registered Saskatchewan Non-profit organization, Saskatoon Cycles Inc. is required to hold an Annual General Meeting every 18 months.

We will be electing a new slate of Executive members, including President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two Members-at-Large.

If you are interested in standing for election to any of these positions, please send your request to info@saskatooncycles.org

Location:

Saskatoon Cycles t-shirts are here!

For a donation of only $25 you can show your support for Saskatoon Cycles and cycling in Saskatoon then by sporting one of our brand-new t-shirts!

You can order your t-shirt through our PayPal Account – SEE BELOW

You can order your t-shirt in a range of Male and Female sizes.

All t-shirts were made by Jerico using organic bamboo, are sweatshop free, and Made In Canada. The softest t-shirt you’ll ever own! They were screen printed by HardPressed, right here in Saskatoon.

We are only offering white at this time. There are only a few of these t-shirts left. Send us the size and gender style you’re interested in and we will check our stock.