For four days, hundreds of international cycling intelligentsia will gather for Velo-city Global 2012. Considered the premier conference on cycling planning and advocacy, Velo-city gathers engineers, architects, researchers, academics, environmentalists, educators and regular folk who like to ride their bikes.
Since 1980, the global conference has been held in Copenhagen, Paris, Dublin, Perth and Montreal and up to 1,500 pre-registered delegates are expected in Vancouver. The conference is not open to the public.
Dozens of lectures, panel discussions, workshops and roundtable talks take place each day. On Wednesday, for example, Finnish and Canadian speakers explain how apps and other interactive innovations can aid cyclist safety and wayfinding. Also on Wednesday, two American and one Nigerian speaker discuss the bicycles contribution among underprivileged and minority groups.
On Thursday afternoon four panelists will tackle the topic of challenging and changing commuter habits. Thursday ends with a bike parade at 6:30 p.m.
On Friday, discussions turn to the business benefits of being bike-friendly, finding road space in constrained city environments and public bike sharing, among numerous other topics.
Velo-city runs through Friday, June 29 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel (1088 Burrard St.). For more information, visit velo-city2012.com.
Twitter: @MHStewart
