Peter McNichol - 1999 Ottawa-Carleton Cyclists' Advocate of the Year

There are FOUR E's that need fighting for:

• Education
• Engineering
• Enforcement
• Encouragement

All four must be done to improve cycling for all. Some may differ on what is required by each E. Some individuals may choose where to spend their efforts to promote the greater good, but we, as a collective body, cannot forget that it takes four E's to improve cycling.

Succinctly stated, Peter McNichol, the final Ottawa-Carleton Cyclists' Advocate of this century reminded a local group of cyclists on the Internet on what it takes to "promote the greater good" of cycling. As an extraordinary cycling advocate, Peter has been an example to others of the value and necessity of working on many aspects of cycling to make a difference.

Peter trained under master cyclist and instructor Bruce Timmermans. He has shared his knowledge and skills as a certified CAN-BIKE cycling skills instructor for eight years, especially with the young cyclists in our region. Peter has been a dependable volunteer in Kids CAN-BIKE Festivals and an instructor for the Kids CAN-BIKE Program, helping a new generation of cyclists start our right.

Our Advocate has held a variety of volunteer positions within CfSC. He chaired the CfSC Education Committee in its early years, both at a time when there was no staff or resources and it was entirely volunteer-based, and then when it developed into a funded program with an office, paid staff and contracted work to deliver! Peter strived to get new people involved, to ensure the quality and value of educational and promotional efforts and to develop relationships with the police that led to more effective enforcement.

Being an effective cycling advocate requires broader knowledge, personal relationships and participation in the community. In addition to his pro-cycling activities, Peter has been an active resident of Kanata. He is well known to Kanata City Council, whose meetings he regularly attends and participates in, and to the residents of the the Kanata Katimavik Community Association, where he has served as its president. Peter has also run for Kanata City Council.

Working to improve cycling for Kanata residents, Peter served as the founding Chair of the Kanata Cycling Advisory Committee. During and after his term he helped develop and advocate for implementation of the city's cycling plan. He helped develop and advocate city bicycle parking standards. Now more Kanata businesses have bicycle parking than other businesses in the region. Peter has kept a critical eye on the quality of Kanata city and regional roads, traffic calming and other cyclist concerns, and has raised issues in a timely manner for cyclists to respond to them.

Peter is also not unknown to member of Regional Council's Transportation Committee, where he has made frequent representations in support of cycling projects over the years, often taking time off work to speak. Peter has spoken in support of greater financial support for cycling, implementation of the abandoned rail CPR trail from Moodie Drive to Kanata, better road designs to accommodate cyclist traffic, and many other issues that affect cyclists.

In the past two years, he chaired the Facilities Planning Committee of the Regional Cycling Advisory Group. He ensured that a cycling project priority list was developed, reviewed, and pursued until it was implemented by staff. In September, Peter willingly took on a new leadership role as Chair of RCAG, when leaders were hard to find. In the months since then he has been busy working to promote cycling in the region, by continuing to work with Regional staff to advance cycling projects, and making clear and timely representations to Regional Council's Transportation Committee on behalf of RCAG.

While best known for his most public activities, Peter has also provided support as a steadfast CfSC volunteer for many years. He has helped to pick up and deliver reusable dishes to general meetings, helped to campaign for new members and cycling advocates, and has rolled up his sleeves many times for the unglamorous but essential "behind the scenes work" like telephoning members, that keeps an organization effective.

Cyclist advocates of the 21st century will need only to look to Peter McNichol's accomplishments as inspiration and guidance on how to improve cycling.

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