Our first workplace profile: CSV Architects

CSV Architects, located on Somerset St. in Hintonburg, is an architectural practice that specializes in sustainable design in institutional, commercial, and residential projects. Several staff members are experienced commuter cyclists, biking to work regularly from March through November. This is the second year that Team Civium Strenuus Valens is participating in Bike to Work Month, demonstrating their all-round commitment to sustainability. CSV Architects also recently received the Bike-Friendly Business Designation, a new EnviroCentre initiative, which recognizes businesses and workplaces making positive contributions to cycling in Ottawa.

CSV staff choose to use pedal power for several reasons: exercise, fresh air, reducing their carbon footprint, curbing traffic congestion, and saving on transportation costs. Workplace facilities, including an indoor storage room for bikes as well as showers and a change room, make the transition from bike to office a breeze.

The team’s bike style varies from work attire to spandex. For those living closer to work, commuting via city roads is the way to go; for those who live a little further, Ottawa’s beautiful parkways including the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway are the name of the game. They would love to see the Ottawa River bike path raised to address the flooding between Island Park Drive and Parkdale Avenue that occurs every spring.

In addition to cycling, the CSV team firmly believes in following a sustainable lifestyle through internal events that promote spending time outdoors, exercising, and healthy eating. Fun fact: CSV Architects designed the NCC Skateway Chalets, and the team enjoys skiing and skating excursions in the winter.

If CSV Architects were a type of two-wheeled vehicle, they would be a tandem bike – working together for balance and efficiency.

Thanks CSV team for showing your commitment to cycling!

BikeMobile Jaunts, Lunch & Learns, and a Bike-Style Photobooth!

It’s Week Three of Bike to Work Month and we couldn’t be happier with the way things are going. As you can see on the right, over 1,000 people have pledged to cycle at least once during May, and we’re hoping you’ll continue to help us encourage both new and seasoned cyclists to sign up to show their support for cycling and gain the chance to win amazing prizes, donated by our generous sponsors.

Last week, the BikeMobile logged some good mileage, making stops at the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and KPMG.

We spoke to lots of passersby. Many were already cycling to work! 

On Saturday, we stopped by the Glebe Community Centre for a special bike-style photo booth with Ottawa Velo Vogue.  Thanks to Zara for the photo! 

We had a bit of route planning trouble on the way to MEC but luckily the trailer fit onto those narrow bridges over the Rideau Canal locks.

On Wednesday, we had a very well attended Lunch and Learn at the Canadian Red Cross, where we spotted some nice covered bike parking outside.

The EnviroCentre team was also busy participating in Cleaning the Capital, where we went out in teams to pick up litter in Lowertown to help beautify the streets. 

Coming up this week, we have BikeMobile stops scheduled for:

• Devonshire PS – Wednesday, May 15, 8:00-8:45AM – our first ever school stop for their weekly Bike to School Day!
• William St. Mall in the Byward Market – Thursday, May 16, 11:00-1:30PM
• Mountain Equipment Co-op – Saturday, May 18, 12:00-4:00PM
• Brewer Park Farmers’ Market – Sunday, May 19: 8:00AM-4:00PM

Lastly, Jamie did a radio appearance on CHUO FM 89.1 last week to talk about cycling to work and how you can get involved. It’s up on their website so have a listen! 

Launch into cycling!

The media launch and official unveiling of the first section of the O-Train multi-use pathway went off without a hitch. Attended by Mayor Jim Watson, Councillors Keith Egli, Diane Holmes, David Chernushenko, and Mathieu Fleury, as well as many community members, the launch celebrated Bike Month (of which Bike to Work is a major component) as well as the addition of a new piece to the cycling infrastructure puzzle in Ottawa.

It was a perfect day for a little test ride of the new pathway, with a few curious passing cyclists stopping to see what the gathering was all about.

Besides the launch, we have been pedalling the BikeMobile to many great locations through the city. On Saturday we attended Tulips on Two Wheels, a celebration of cycling and tulip season put on by Citizens for Safe Cycling. Check out the Urban Commuter blog for a recap of the event – a bit of Holland in Ottawa! We also had lots of fun promoting Bike to Work outside Terra 20, which is Ottawa’s only eco-friendly department store.

This week, the BikeMobile travelled to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) in Westboro – what a beautiful ride along the Ottawa River – and we hit up 200 Kent St. outside Fishereries and Ocean Canada (DFO) once again this morning, chatting with many pedestrians and cyclists on their way to work.

We’d like to thank everyone who continues to support this initiative, whether by signing up for our free online contest, coming out to our events, signing up your workplace for the cycling toolkit or lunch and learn, or spreading the word about the many benefits of cycling to your colleagues, friends, and family. You can keep up with our plans for the rest of the month in our events calendar, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.