Ewen Todd - January 2000 Volunteer of the month

Ewen Todd leads by example as one of the region's most dedicated cyclists. On all but the snowiest and iciest days of the year he can be seen riding to work at Tunney's Pasture where he works as a senior scientist, from his home 10 km away. He hasn't been afraid to hop on his bike in his suit and tie to get to an important business meeting, to set an example for others of the practicality of bicycle transportation.

For two years Ewen has served as CfSC's financial reviewer. He recently gave his "stamp of approval" to CfSC's financial statements after a meticulous review. He brings with him the experience of treasurer in the Research Scientist Group of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). Ewen even helped to debug a small but mysterious glitch in the numbers. Ewen's signature on the financial statements is solid reassurance to CfSC members and funders that the statements accurately represent CfSC's financial transactions. While financial review is a largely unglamourous and invisible task, it's also demanding and essential. Without it CfSC could not obtain extensive funding to promote bicycle use and cycling safety.

Working as the leader of CfSC's delegation, Ewen helped convince city staff and politicians to create the Nepean Cycling advisory committee in 1991. As CfSC's representative and a volunteer on the Nepean Cycling Committee, he has participated in many activities including the Nepean Days cycling promotion booth and dozens of committee meetings. Following Ewen's suggestion and initiative, the first joint meeting of area cycling committees was organized in the spring of 2000.

Even prior to the establishment of the Nepean committee Ewen helped persuade Nepean city councillors to provide the first-ever paved shoulders for cycling in the Region, on Highway 16.

In fact Ewen's contributions go back to the very founding of CfSC and the four years he served as its second president. From convincing Ottawa City staff to establish the Ottawa Cycling Advisory Group (OCAG), to reviewing road plans to ensure they considered cyclists, (well before any municipal cycling committee or staff existed to do this), to volunteering for helmet promotion and safety campaigns, Ewen has contributed to better cycling in many notable ways.

We wish him many enjoyable sunny, dry and warm (but not hot!) days of cycling in the future.