OVCATA Co-chair's report for 2017 - a lot accomplished in Year 1

October 4, 2017

OVCATA Co-chair's report

by Ish Theilheimer

OVCATA's first year was a big one. Here are some of our accomplishments. Since our launch, we have:

- signed up 185 members.

- successfully lobbied the Ontario government regarding upgrades to Highway 148, Highway 41 and Highway 17

- helped OVTA develop a Renfrew County bike map and helped sponsor it

- worked with Whitewater Region on plans to hard-shoulder roads in the municipality. Currently participating with Whitewater Region as active transportation representatives in the First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE) with partner community being the Town of Arnprior

- had representatives meet with other local municipal councils including Pembroke, Petawawa, Renfrew, North Algona, and Laurentian Valley

- organized or participated in rides and events in Barrys Bay, Eganville, Pembroke, Renfrew, and Westmeath including fund raising events like the Pembroke Rotary Ride for Kids and the Kim Armstrong Turkey Trot

- met with Renfrew County Council in March, 2017, and liaised on an ongoing basis with County staff regarding the 2017 capital works plan and proposed hardened shoulders. In response, the County's construction of hardened shoulders in 2017 constructed went well beyond expectation.

- launched a website that lists rides, routes and news about active transportation

- participated in meetings regarding the Algonquin Trail (former CP line) development

- sponsored the Silver Chain Challenge in 2017

- organized and got funding from MTO through its Road Safety Community Partnership Program for the Renfrew County Cycling Safety Outreach Project in 2017. Through it, we distributed thousands of safety bumper stickers and rack cards.

- took part in the Eastern Ontario Active Transportation Summit in Kemptville (2016) and Carleton Place (2017)

- entered into partnership with Discovery Routes, the North Bay-based organization spearheading the campaign for a cross-Canada cycling route passing through the Ottawa Valley

- worked with OPP on cycling safety promotion.