Dr. Chris Milburn of Velo Cape Breton accepts the inaugural Doctors Nova Scotia Strive Award, formerly known as the Golden Apple Award, from Dr. Jane Brooks during the association's 2011 annual conference.
Velo Cape Breton takes top spot
Velo Cape Breton received Doctors Nova Scotia's inaugural Strive Award, formerly known as the Golden Apple Award, during the association's annual conference on June 4, 2011.
Velo Cape Breton, an organization which promotes the bicycle as a mode of transportation and recreation, was selected from a field of 41 other community groups including finalists The Fresh Air Society – FreePlay Program of Antigonish and Tidnish Crossroads and Area Community Association of Tidnish. Both received honourable mentions.
"It's an honour to be recognized for our work," added Andrée Crépeau, President of Velo Cape Breton. "We're hoping to continue developing our program and getting even more Cape Bretoners active."
The Strive Award is given annually to a community group making innovative and strategic decisions about promoting healthy lifestyle choices. The group received a $5,000 grant to spend on advancing health promotion initiatives.
About Velo Cape Breton
Since 2004, Velo Cape Breton has sought every opportunity to promote the bicycle as a mode of transportation and recreation in the local community. Through targeted projects and public advocacy Velo Cape Breton has attempted, with some success, to introduce new values and to develop new attitudes and behaviours around active transportation and healthy living. Similar to the medical profession, it believes an active lifestyle is good for the health of citizens, good for the environment, and good for the economy.
Through the work of volunteers, Velo Cape Breton has been able to contribute to an Active Transportation Plan at Cape Breton Regional Municipality, install bicycle facilities at end points to promote bicycle commuting, and develop public events that promote bicycle usage. The organization has also provided encouragement and training to persons interested in learning, or relearning, how to ride a bicycle, whether for fitness, for transportation, for touring, or for simple enjoyment.
The organization is hoping to introduce a Cycling Ambassadors program, which will use experienced cyclists to encourage the public to use their bicycles more and to do so safely.