Founded in 1991, the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC) is one of Western Canada's most active, most successful, and largest cycling advocacy organizations, representing over 300 members and tens of thousands of cyclists in the Greater Victoria area. And all of this is supported entirely by our members and volunteers. From helping to establish the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trails, to preventing cyclists from being banned on the Highway 1 entrance to the city, securing the bid for Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2004, developing the exemplary Bike Sense Manual and the Victoria Cycling and Walking map, to getting bike racks on local buses, bike lockers, road markings, better bike parking and much more-we are an active, established coalition that is worth being a part of.
| 1991 | Founding of GVCC |
| 1992 |
January: Saanich builds first bike lanes in region March: Public hearing for mayors & councils to discuss CRD's transportation strategy July: 'Proposed cycling route' -"no one's sure who owns the Selkirk Trestle": GVCC members (Melanie Perkins) helped find out & worked on moving the project forward September: GVCC rounded up volunteers to help clear 'trail' on Sep 27 (Cecelia Ravine): Denise Savoie |
| 1993 |
March: Cyclists pedaling hard for Downtown Connector -buy-in from Victoria & Saanich. The GVCC helped get the momentum started & moving |
| 1994 |
November: Minister Andrew Petter announces funding for Swan & Brett trestles and trail. GVCC organizes & leads ride from Sidney to Saanich Municipal Hall with Minister Petter on opening day. December: First Victoria Bike Map (GVCC product): Tim Isaak |
| 1995 |
February: MoT announces 6 km route funding: Town & Country mall to Thetis Lake. GVCC is the only NGO involved in the advisory group to guide transportation. March: MoT announces plan to ban cyclists from highway ($1B project)-GVCC led a letter-writing campaign May: Fire on Selkirk Trestle October: Cyclists gain same status as motorists on roads GECO project is carried out by GVCC member Ray Hall assessing & implementing end-of-trip facilities in provincial government buildings for cyclists. Major conference on traffic calming organized by GVCC members (Calming Cascadia); Switch Bridge opened; annual Fuel Free Cycle festival; December: Spending on bike lanes increases; cycling network plan developed Andrew Petter called 'Minister of Bicycles' due to his support |
| 1996 |
GVCC members assist in development of Galloping Goose trail map August: Past President of GVCC (Francis van Loon) lobbies successfully to get bike racks on buses September: Opening of Selkirk Trestle; establishment of Cycling Advisory Committees in local municipalities establishment of Bike to Work Victoria; restoration of four trestles on trails |
| 1997 | June: New 'recycled' bridge at Six Mile Road |
| 1998 |
Blenkinsop Bridge completed; new Victoria Cycling Map; GVCC conference: Streets are For People October: GVCC involvement of revision of ICBC Safe Driving Guide December: Terry van Fleet killed by vehicle; follow up mass cycle ride organized by Anne Fritzel- later because the annual Christmas light ride in honour of Terry. |
| 2000 |
April: Wheel Life cycling issues column in Times Columnist (Todd Litman) May: First edition of Bike Sense manual; Car-Free days |
| 2001 |
June: proclamation of Victoria as Cycling Capital of Canada *GVCC gets office in C-C-C |
| 2002 |
February/March: GVCC part of International Bike Expo in Seattle & Pedal Power at Royal BC Museum (Melanie & Patrick) February GVCC office on North Park street; Times Colonist cycling article Yvonne Blomer- writer Spoke 'n Word |
| 2003 |
October: GVCC report on Banfield Park & follow up park-user education day Helped to get bike stencils in place at intersections & calibrated for cyclists Worked on better bike parking; large number of traffic counts helped to influence decisions (Susanna Grimes) |
| 2007 | Input on infrastructure developments in Greater Victoria municipalities |
| 2008 | Radio interviews (Darren); CRC office close; outreach at numerous events |
| 2009 | Velo Victoria Film Festival Cycling chapters in local OCPs & CMPs; input into regional growth strategy |
| 2010 | GVCC members vote in favour of Johnson Street Bridge replacement; campaigned for better cycling infrastructure on new bridge (separated paths, on street bike lanes) |
