[VBC Buddies] November VBC Club Meeting

[Bicycle Kitty]

Hello VBCers and Buddies!

Your VBC Board has some very exciting news we are proud to announce.  We
have secured a speaking engagement with none other than Mia Birk.  You can
find her bio below.  I believe Mia can inspire us as individuals and club
members with the how-to of continuing to improve bicycle acceptance and
infrastructure in Clark County and Vancouver from a grass roots
perspective.  In case you haven't read her wonderful book yet, we will have
copies at the meeting for sale.  I bet she'll even sign them if we ask
nicely.  = )

As usual, our meeting will be held the second Wednesday of the month *(November
9th) at 7pm.  *

However, we will not be meeting at Bartolami's Aero Room.  We are changing
venues just for this special event and will assemble at the new
downtown *Vancouver
Library at 901 C Street in the Columbia Room*.

Mark your calendars!

Maria



Now, here's that bio:

*Mia** Birk is the President of Alta, and a world-renowned expert in
non-motorized transportation. With 20 years of experience in pedestrian,
bicycle, trail, and greenway planning, design and implementation, Mia’s work
has helped the country embrace more sustainable means of transportation. She
served as Portland’s Bicycle Program Manager from 1993-99, and in her career
has developed more than 100 bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and corridor plans,
and has managed the public process, design and implementation of over 500
miles of new bikeways and walkways, as well as programs such as Safe Routes
to School, bicycle and pedestrian-friendly development codes, and
bikeway/walkway maintenance. She is an Adjunct Professor at Portland State
University, teaching Pedestrian and Bicycle Issues for graduate students in
urban planning. *
*Mia**’s newly-released book, Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier
Planet, tells the
dramatic and enlightening behind-the-scenes story of how a group
of determined visionaries transformed Portland into a cycling mecca and
inspired the nation.*

*Speech Summary*

Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet

The Keys to Transforming Communities and Empowering People, One Pedal Stroke
at a Time
 Bicycle Transportation and the future of North American Cities: 12 Keys to
Success



Mia Birk is known internationally for her leadership in transforming
Portland, OR and hundreds of communities beyond through her work at the City
of Portland and as a consultant. While today 7-10% of Portlanders ride bikes
for daily transportation, it wasn’t always this way. Learn the inspiring
story of how they got there, including the programs, plans, and policies
while sharing experiences and stories that have led toward balanced and
sustainable transportation systems. Mia will demonstrate the dramatically
positive impact of bicycle transportation on a neighborhood, a city and the
way people in it live.