If you’ve decided to prolong the sheer excitement of voting until Election Day this Saturday, you’re in for an additional treat: Get Your Vote On and Riding4Ridings have embarked on a new pedal-powered venture to ensure you ride in style to the polls. We’ve named this project, Bike2Ballots, but you may be tempted to call it—awesome. And, to make e-day an even bigger celebration (because who doesn’t want to celebrate democracy?), the Get Your Vote On street team and vintage “vote car” will be out in full force, decked out in yellow, pink, and black.
We’ll be registering people for rides and hosting “bike stops” in Davie Village, Commercial Drive, Main and East 49th Ave, and Kitsilano from 11am to 7pm on e-day. We’ll also be able to pick up a limited number of voters from their homes. This fleet of tandem bikes has been generously loaned to us by the fine folks at Spokes Bicycle Rentals, English Bay Bike Rentals, and Reckless Bike Stores!
To register for your Bike2Ballots ride, you can fill out the handy form HERE.
Get to know your Bike2Ballots Riders!
In the lead up to November 19, Get Your Vote On will be profiling five of our Bike2Ballots riders. First up is Eddie Rothschild (pictured above), who is currently leading up the tandem bike effort.
1. So, Eddie, why is Bike2Ballots awesome?
Bike2Ballots is awesome because we get to help open-minded and cycle-friendly people get out and vote, all while having fun and meeting new people—a great way to help build community. I believe voting is one of many ways we can help shape democratic societies. I hope Bike2Ballots demonstrates how taking initiative is all that's needed to transform an idea into a reality!
2. What is your election issue?
My election issue is affordable housing. While the encampment at the Art Gallery is integral to Occupy Vancouver and the movement as a whole, there are a lot of people living there at the moment simply because it is the safest option they have available. I'm voting for people who I think will be amenable to providing suitable housing in short order for those who need it—and this is already physically available in vacant buildings in Vancouver.
3. Why is democracy like riding a bike?
Because you've got to turn the cranks to keep the wheels spinning!
—
For more information on all Get Your Vote On happenings, check out getyourvoteon.ca. For information on voting in the municipal election, check out the City of Vancouver’s Vancouver votes page.
