This past Sunday the 2012 Comox Valley Car Free Sunday took place successfully, with enthusiastic participation from a significant number of Courtenay and Cumberland residents and a variety of businesses.
This initiative was organized by the not-for-profit organization Imagine Comox Valley and enthusiastic community partners and sponsors. People in attendance, including volunteers, musicians, families, vendors and artists, enjoyed the positive atmosphere.
Many expressed what a joy it was to be able to celebrate our streets in a ‘people-oriented’ way, which was encouraged in the form of music, dance, sports, visual art and play.
“The celebration of public spaces and their role in contributing to the vibrancy and livability of a community is a key goal of Car Free events around the world,” says Nancy Hofer, Courtenay
route-activity co-ordinator. “Car Free events are a worldwide phenomenon intended to raise awareness of the multiple users of our streets.
"We as a society spend a lot publicly on our road infrastructure but not everyone agrees with the prioritization of automobiles above other transportation modes. For many, an event like this is a chance to explore an alternative vision and make a statement about what is important to them in their community.”
In keeping with this sentiment, the Comox Valley collaborated with the people organizing the Car Free event in Vancouver (www.carfreevancouver.org) to establish some solidarity.
Imagine Comox Valley (ICV) spearheaded the event by organizing the road closure permit process.
“We mainly take care of arranging the permit, insurance and marketing, the community groups and businesses do the rest by coming out and using the streets in ways that inspire them,” states Andrew Gower of Imagine Comox Valley.
“Car Free Sunday is not anti-car,” Gower stresses, “it is a day to acknowledge positive alternatives and encourage dialogue in a
creative way. Many of us volunteers use cars regularly, but would also like to have more viable options for getting around, including for our children.”
Imagine Comox Valley fully intends to make the event an annual one, following the strategy of communities like Kelowna, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John’s.
“We can only make this event better in the future,” says David Frisch, volunteer co-ordinator. “We have received a lot of
feedback and will be doing everything we can to make Car Free Sunday more fun for 2013. And it would be nice to not have to rely on so many volunteers. We want to ensure everyone gets a
chance to enjoy the event — that’s the whole point!”
Organizers have received feedback that suggests a smaller route may be more effective in Courtenay, both in facilitating road closures and condensing activities and participation from
community groups, and will take this into strong consideration when planning for next year’s event.
From Cumberland, the feedback was that an alternative date may be more conducive to participation, as the village was winding down from multiple bicycle-related events.
In Courtenay, things kicked off at noon with a three-km fun run, some Comox Valley Kickers road rugby at 16th and Fitzgerald, street-skiing, garage sales at McPhee and Cumberland Road, street dining from Union Street Grill and Grotto and a whole lot more.
With an almost-constant stream of people in the downtown core area, the sight on Fifth Street was something to behold. Around 4 p.m., things started getting more quiet and volunteer appreciation events began in and around the Zen Zero parking lot, featuring donated refreshments and snacks by Heavenly Goodies and live music organized by Lightburn Productions.
The Village of Cumberland marked Car Free Sunday with their own twist — as they often do.
Residents celebrated their love of their bikes as part of Bike Month in Cumberland with a family bike festival and neighbourhood party. A rousing game of bike polo rolled for the whole afternoon — and was played mostly by folks who had spent hours on their seats at the 12 Hours of Cumberland Race on Saturday.
Volunteers offered a Bike Safety Rodeo to hone the skills of wee bikers and then the kids all decorated their bikes and had a parade down the middle of the road.
Organizers express their deepest gratitude to everyone who volunteered their time to assist with directing traffic and making it possible for everyone to enjoy the event safely.
Also to the generous sponsors whose contributions made the event possible and to the local governing bodies for their support and assistance.
If you want to be a part of Car Free Sunday 2013, you can get involved by:
● Signing up to be a volunteer by visiting http://imaginecomoxvalley.ca and completing the sign-up form available there or contacting the volunteer co-ordinator David Frisch at
frisch.david@gmail.com.
● Signing up to be a sponsor or vendor, which can be done by sending an e-mail to imaginecomoxvalley@gmail.com.
Organizers are looking forward to working with their community on the 2013 annual Comox Valley Car Free Sunday and would be happy to provide anyone interested with additional information or answer any questions. They can be reached via e-mail at
imaginecomoxvalley@gmail.com.
Connect online at http://imaginecomoxvalley.ca, www.facebook.com/events/201429926628716 and www.facebook.com/groups/198030611797.
— Imagine Comox Valley