Submitted by yvonne on 9 March, 2010 - 00:16

March 9th, 2010

On Tuesday March 9 in Washington D.C., the Toronto Cyclists Union will receive the 2010 Innovation of the Year Award from the U.S.-based Alliance for Biking and Walking, in recognition of its innovative partnership with CultureLink Settlement Services.

Together, the Toronto Cyclists Union and CultureLink have launched the Partnership for Integration and Sustainable Transportation to promote cycling among newcomers to Toronto with posters, a Cyclists Handbook, and workshops available in 16 of the city’s most commonly spoken languages.

“We’re honoured to be accepting this award on behalf of our partnership,” says Yvonne Bambrick, Executive Director of the Toronto Cyclists Union who will be in Washington DC with Steering Committee member Heather McDonald to receive the award on behalf of the Partnership. “This project is helping us to grow roots in Toronto’s diverse communities, and to exchange knowledge about sustainable habits here and around the world.”

“In Toronto, 52% of people 15 and older are newcomers to Canada, and green initiatives must speak directly to them to be effective,” says Ibrahim Absiye, Executive Director of CultureLink Settlement Services. “At CultureLink, we are committed to bringing sustainable, affordable and healthy options, like cycling, to the newcomers we serve.”

“We need an inclusive movement if we’re going to be successful in making our communities more friendly to bicyclists and pedestrians,” says Kristen Steele, Communications Director of the Alliance for Biking & Walking. “The partnership between the Toronto Cyclists Union and CultureLink is a great example of how to bring people together. We hope their work inspires other advocates across North America."

Contact:   

• Yvonne Bambrick, Executive Director, Toronto Cyclists Union, 416-826-2964
• Kristin Schwartz, Cycling Outreach Co-ordinator, CultureLink, 416-588-6288 x229    

The Alliance for Biking & Walking is a coalition of over 160 advocacy organizations across North America. http://www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/

The Toronto Cyclists Union is a member-based advocacy organization representing cyclists across the city. http://bikeunion.to

CultureLink Settlement Services promotes self-sufficiency, positive interaction and understanding between the Host and Newcomer communities, and the overall well being of all participants. www.culturelink.net

The work of the Partnership for Integration and Sustainable Transportation is funded by the Trillium Foundation, the Toronto Community Foundation, and LiveGreen Toronto.