In the context of pandemic restrictions and the need to make space for people to safely get outside and stay active, on May 11th 2020 the City of New Westminster Council passed the Streets for People in 2020 motion, directing staff to accelerate already planned reallocations of road space to support people walking, cycling, and socializing in their communities.

HUB Cycling staff, in collaboration with our New Westminster Local Committee volunteers and Happy City, reached out to the City of New Westminster Transportation Department offering our services to help with the Streets for People initiative. City staff engaged us to develop an implementation plan, deliver activation events to raise public awareness and support, engage with people to get their impressions and ideas, and evaluate the outcomes of the Streets for People in 2020 initiative.

HUB Cycling is hosted activation events throughout the month of September and October. We welcomed people who live, work or play in New Westminster to join us to learn about one or more of the City’s current road reallocation projects.

Read our COVID-19 Protocols for In-Person Engagement to learn what HUB Cycling is doing, and what you can do, to stay safe while participating in our programs. All activations take place on the unceded territories of the Qayqayt First Nation and traditional territories of Coast Salish peoples.

PAST EVENTS:

Walk, Wheel, Roll Self-Guided Tours

From Friday, September 25 to Monday, October 12, people got to know their city a little better on foot or by walking, wheeling, or rolling. In support of the Streets for People in 2020 project, the City of New Westminster, HUB Cycling, and other partners teamed up to provide a family-friendly self-guided tour highlighting 10 points of interest around town. Participants in the self-guided tour were entered to win $200 to their local business of choice in New West. Although the tour is 'completed,' you can still download the guidebook and take the tour yourself!

Shop Local Challenge

It's more important than ever to support local retailers and sustainable transportation. On Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th, local businesses like Denny's Fresh Farm Grocery, Freshii, Blenz, and the New West Public Library offered free goodies during select hours to participants that registered free and get there by bicycle, transit, foot or wheelchair.

Streets for People Pop-ups

HUB and Happy City hosted three pop-ups at various locations with family-friendly and wheelchair accessible games, free bike safety checks, info about Streets for People and opportunities to win prizes. Folks stopped by to get their bike chain oiled and entered to win a $150 gift card from their choice of a local shop in New Westminster! Thanks to the City of New Westminster for this generous prize!

Monday, September 28th | 3-5pm @ McInness Overpass
Friday, October 2nd | 3-5pm @ 9th Street between 4th Ave and Kennedy
Wednesday, October 7th | 3-5pm @ 6th and 6th

Streetwise Courses

Family StreetWise courses are tailored to elementary and middle school children (aged 8-14) and their families. These courses provide the opportunity for you to learn about traffic safety and build road safety skills and confidence in a fun environment together! All courses teach theoretical and practical on-bike skills, and finish with a group neighbourhood road ride.

We hosted two Courses on October 3rd and will host our second course on October 10th. Registration is now closed.