Bicycle Nova Scotia is a not for profit organization that is invested in promoting cycling culture, improving infrastructure, and strengthening the cycling community in Nova Scotia. We advocate for and support all types of cycling and are committed to improving conditions within the province so that cyclists of all ages and abilities can enjoy the thrill, enjoyment, and practicality of riding a bike.
Following is a list of some of what BNS has accomplished and is currently working on:
Supporting a healthy network of bicycle clubs and organizations
BNS Provides:
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- Registration of events using our software and administration
- Managing provincial cycling calendar of events
- Monthly newsletter delivering current news about events and important happenings
- Contributing to the online cycling community through social media
- Advocating for cycling infrastructure and policy to grow all aspects of cycling in Nova Scotia
- Hosting or co-hosting the annual Nova Scotia Cycling Summit
- Hosting annual Bicycle Nova Scotia Awards Night
- Helping to organize the annual Bike Week that takes place around the province
Competition and Athlete Development
- Race insurance available through BNS
- Race registration available through BNS
- Promotion of races on website, social media, online calendar, race calendar
- Events coordination through Events Coordinator board position
- Oversees the provincial cycling team
- Hosting and organizing of annual awards banquet, including medals
- Provision of race kit and race organizers guide
- RICOH sports awards nomination process
- Race results reporting for every BNS sanctioned event, usually within 24 hours
- Athlete development to encourage new entrants on the race scene
- Organization and support for Commissionaires courses
Investment in safe bicycling infrastructure
Blue Route
Bicycle Nova Scotia is working in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, municipalities, and community trail builders to develop the Blue Route provincial cycling network. The Blue Route, now in its first stage of implementation, will become a continuous network of designated bicycle routes on roads, streets, and trails spanning the province. The Blue Route will provide easy on-route navigation, provide bikeways, and will help to coordinate infrastructure upgrades on roads, streets, and trails that enhance safety, comfort, and function for people on bicycles. The first section of the Blue Route was designated and signed in 2015 between the Town of Pictou and Truro, and much more is planned for 2016 and beyond!
BNS co-chairs the Blue Route Team with the department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. More details about the Blue Route and its progress can be found here: blueroute.ca
Improvements in planning, public policy and legislation
Bicycle Nova Scotia was a key player in developing the 1-metre rule (Bill 93) that was made into legislation in 2011. This was a major victory in developing safer roads for cyclists.
“The One-Metre Rule is included in new legislation that is designed to encourage safe sharing of Nova Scotia highways by all road users. It means that drivers are required to leave one metre of open space between their vehicle and the cyclist when driving beside, or passing a cyclist. Even if the bicyclist is riding on the edge of the bicycle lane next to the traffic lane, the One-Metre Rule applies.”
Other Work
- Working with other organizations to update the MVA (Motor Vehicle Act) to be more inclusive of cycling and other forms of transportation.
- Supporting the HRM Integrated Mobility Plan
- Actively contributing to the HRM Active Transportation Plan
- Working collaboratively with TIR to develop the Blue Route around the province.
Education, Awareness & Health
CAN-BIKE is a Canada-wide safe cycling educational program. There are a series of courses offered, from basic “learn to ride” to advanced multi-day courses, like CAN-BIKE 2, for folks wanting to really hone their knowledge and skills. This program has been instrumental in educating many riders to feel safe and confident on the road, making for a better experience for the rider as well as overall safer roads for all users.
A program that is designed to get more women active on bicycles in Nova Scotia! The vision is to create and enhance women’s cycling groups that organize rides for women in urban, rural, and semi-rural communities in Nova Scotia. We partner with existing cycling groups, community centres, recreation departments, and libraries, as well as with local bicycle shops.
We want to grow a cycling culture that includes and celebrates women and leads to multi-generational inclusion in community bicycle rides. WoW rides now take place once a week on nearby trails or low traffic roads and focuses on Fun, Fitness, and Friendship.
WoW started in 2015 and was a major success! The program will be growing and reaching out to more people this year.
Prescribe-a-bike:
This is a program designed to increase participation and support of the medical community for bicycling as part of health care and wellness – to address both physical and mental health outcomes. The project goal is for 5 MDs and 30 patients to be participating by the summer of 2016.
To make the program work, doctors would assess the need of a patient to be prescribed exercise, specifically bicycling. They would write out a prescription to ride a bicycle a certain number of minutes or hours a week. They would then direct them to the right place to get that prescription filled, connecting them with the gear and support they need (facilitated through BNS).
Development and maintenance of sustainable MTB trails
Bicycle Nova Scotia is becoming increasingly involved with trail development through their Off-Road Advocacy (ORA) sector. Through engagement with government agency partners, landowners, as well as a variety of trail associations, BNS is helping build a foundation for the development and maintenance of sustainable trails in Nova Scotia.
In April 2016, Bicycle Nova Scotia assisted The McIntosh Run Watershed Association in providing a trail building workshop to 14 volunteers. The workshop was attended by individuals who will lead volunteer trail crews in construction of the new trail to be used for a variety of traffic including bicycles.
Stay tuned for some exciting developments over the coming months.
Recreation and Touring
This was an initiative to help guide people to some of the best road riding in Nova Scotia. With support from Tourism Nova Scotia, BNS create 9 maps highlighting different places to ride all around the province. The maps have proven incredibly popular for both locals and visitors alike.
You can pick up the maps in the local tourism centres, as well as accessing them online where you can view the maps, download them, and get access to GPS data.
Although the Blue Route is focusing on infrastructure for active transportation, it is also helping to improve the safety and enjoyment of our roads for all types of cyclists. With the development of the Blue Route, Nova Scotia will be on step further towards being viewed as a world-class cycling destination! Other examples of this type of project, such as the Route Verte in Quebec, have shown that when the infrastructure is there and can be actively promoted, there is a noticeable increase in tourism and use by all types of cyclists.
Handling requests from Tourists
Our organization often gets requests from people all around the country and the world. We are seen as the go to for what is happening in cycling in Nova Scotia. Through our website and our social media platforms, the BNS board responds to all of the questions, aiming to provide the most accurate and relevant information.
