New program launches first cycle

A local organization is pedaling its way to a healthier lifestyle for residents and visitors in Turner Valley.

The High Country Wellness Coalition launched its Bikes for All program last month, which provides Sheep River Library members with free access to a collection of bicycles and helmets.

“It’s an opportunity to get out and exercise in our community,” said Linda Nelson, coalition president. “We are promoting physical fitness, health and well-being and we don’t want to have any financial barriers. Our mandate is supporting wellness in the community. We haven’t done a major project since the outdoor fitness park about five years ago.”

Nelson got the idea from a program called Start the Cycle at the Mohawk College’s library in Ontario which lends bicycles to students.

“This has been in the works since last fall,” she said. “We thought about the economics right now and some people can’t afford the simple luxury of going out for a bike ride. Also, if people are on holidays we can give them the opportunity to explore the community on bicycles.”

Last year, Nelson formed a partnership with the Turner Valley RCMP, Foothills Lions Club, Calgary Rural Primary Care Network and the Sheep River Library.

“The first step was asking the library board if they were interested in a partnership because that’s not something we can do on our own — we have no physical space,” she said. “Jan (Burney, library manager) right away was very enthusiastic about it and got approval from the library board. I thought we have snowshoes at the library and hiking poles and pedometers and why not bicycles. We’ve got the trails.”

The program currently has nine bicycles, including five donated by businesses and individuals and four purchased through donations. Two are children’s bikes. The coalition is looking into putting plates on the front of each bike to acknowledge the donor or sponsor.

“We were hoping to start with six,” she said. “We are already exceeded our expectations. I don’t think that will be the end of it.”

The bikes donated are in mint condition, having been maintained by local volunteers, including a certified bike mechanic, said Nelson.

“They all have bells, kick-stands and bottle cages and a quick release on the seats,” she said, adding each also has a bike lock.

Among the volunteers is Paulina Larrey-King, who Nelson said expressed an interest during a Black Diamond Parks and Recreation Board meeting last year, of which both are members.

“She turned to me and said, ‘I will look after the helmets for you,’” she said. “She went shopping with me. She has a passion for biking.”

Larrey-King, whose family members are avid cyclists, was immediately on board.

“It puts something else in the community, sometime to do whether they’re visitors or people who can’t afford them,” she said. “I offered to help her in selecting something that would be useful and the best bang for their buck. I contacted Ridley’s (Cycle) and they were phenomenal. They even donated a bike for the program.”

The former Turner Valley RCMP sergeant focused on safety, ensuring each bike had a bell and kickstand. She had the RCMP detachment donate helmets acquired from grant funding.

Also on board was Jan Burney with the Sheep River Library.

“It fits with our Ramblers program where we’ve got people out snowshoeing and hiking,” she said. “It fits with offering equipment that helps people with their personal fitness. We are the visitor information centre so if someone visiting for the day might want to go for a bike ride or someone camping at the campground, it’s easier for us to supply the bikes.”

Those wanting to take out a bike require a library membership, which costs $10 per family. They don’t have to be a resident of Turner Valley, Burney said. Anyone who borrows the bikes are required to sign a waver.

“We are not afraid of trying something new,” she said. “We got all the information (from Mohawk College) and it was very easy to transfer over. The forms were already done, we just had to adapt them.”

Burney said the bikes have yet to be checked out. She expects interest once summer arrives.

“We’ve had quite a few people come and ask about them,” she said. “I’m anticipating once the kids are out of school and there’s people in the campground they will get used more. We are imagining most people will use it on Friendship Trail.”

Burney said the library staff is excited about Bikes for All, which she suspects is the first of its kind in Alberta.

“It ups the profile of the library when we do something new and it gets people thinking about libraries in a different way,” she said. “It isn’t just about lending books.”

The bikes are available from the Victoria Day weekend until Labour Day each year, and will remain in storage for the remainder of the year.

Information about the program will be posted around town, including the Turner Valley Municipal Campground.