Initial Meeting of Van Island Cycling Coalitions

On February 8 board members of the Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition, the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition and the Oceanside Cycling Coalition met in Parksville for an informal meeting. 

It was a very productive and informative meeting between the 3 organizations. We discovered that we all have similar challenges and issues. We floated several ideas and suggestions in solving these challenges. 

We gained a good understanding of each others' jurisdictions and on the programs each of us are running in their area. Most striking where discovering new ways of funding programs and initiatives. For example, Comox was successful in securing $2500 through New Horizons for Citizens to fund its ambitious Active School Program. As a result we agreed to share our resources and plans online through a non-public forum. We are also meeting again in the near future.

This being our  first step in working co-operatively, we hope to extend the sharing of information to other advocacy groups on the southern part of the Island. Our aim is to see a co-operative approach to solving our common issues Island wide. Our common goal should be to create 'swell' so we have an impressive seat at the provincial government table.  

E&N trail

The GNCC reported on the E&N Rail Trail Initiative in Nanaimo, where the process is at, who the players are, etc

Oceanside gave us an update on the E&N trail in the Regional District of Nanaimo, which is the Coombs to Parksville to French Creek Rail Trail. See the links below for details:

http://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=3195

http://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=3196

Comox Valley gave us a view on a large map on the trail building in their area and the bicycling mapping 

Sue Vince is doing in their community. We also discussed the idea of creating a map that would provide up-to-date information on trail building along the E & N corridor from Victoria to Courtnay as well as well as connecting trails.

We did not discuss the BCCC Motion on the E&N trail but applaud the work BCCC is doing.

And neither did we cover Bicycle Tourism Opportunities , strategies etc

We are looking at and discussing the possibility of the BCCC AGM being hosted mid island. We will keep the BCCC posted on these developments.

Leo Boon 

chair GNCC

David Grey

co-chair

Lorne Freedman

director