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10 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 Community Office: 100 Regina St. S., Suite 220 Waterloo, ON N2J 4P9  519-725-3477  cfife-co@ndp.on.ca www.catherinefife.ca Catherine Fife MPPKitchener-Waterloo 00 Regina St. S., Suite 220 aterloo, ON N2J 4P9 e.ca HONOURING: Amy Smoke Charlotte Parry-Glover Claire Parry-Glover Deborah Currie Idrisa Pandit Jassy Narayan Julia Cluett-McCullough Karen Scian Lyndsey Butcher Rahmah Omar Taite Koehler Knox Presbyterian Church: 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo RSVP: CFife-CO@ndp.on.ca or 519-725-3477Friday, May 19 -- 12:00 to 2:00 pm CITY LIFE WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE AROUND TOWN By Bob vrbanac Chronicle Sta� The Working Centre's Community Access Bikeshare (CAB) program has launched for the season with plans to expand and become more user-friendly. Th e program, which off ers people access to ready-to-use bicycles at nine stations across Kitchener and Waterloo, will this year be testing out a smart-lock system at several new stations, including two in the uptown area of Waterloo and three at the University of Waterloo. People will be able to use their smart- phones to unlock the bikes at the new sta- tions as opposed to the card-and-PIN sys- tem that's currently in place, which provides people who pay an annual $65 membership fee access to key boxes. "We do surveys of the program every year and we've heard that people would like to have 24/7 access to the bike share stations, as well as we've had a lot of requests for pay-per- use access," said co-ordinator Paulina Rodri- guez. "So not necessarily buying an annual membership, but maybe having access to a bike for a half-hour or an hour if you're coming to the region for a holiday or to visit family." The new system being piloted this year will allow people the option of purchasing yearly or monthly memberships as well as day passes and pay-as-you-go passes, Rodri- guez said. "We need to figure out a bike sharing sys- tem that's more acces- sible for people, so we're hoping the smart lock technology will get us there, said Jane Sny- der, a CAB team mem- ber. "The other bit is that the City of Water- loo was interested in helping us expand. So that was really exciting. "Each station has its own story really. I think the bigger story here is it's a whole bunch if diff erent funders that are coming together." Snyder said the main goal is to provide a sustainable transportation option for peo- ple who live and work in concentrated areas of Kitchener and Waterloo and the uptake from local businesses and sponsors, includ- ing both cities and the region, continues to grow. The Working Cen- tre initiated a bike- sharing pilot project in downtown Kitchener back in 2011 that was used 400 times by 54 members. Last year saw the highest distance trav- elled on record, with more than 6,000 km ridden. "In 2015 we had the highest ridership at 170 members," Rodriguez explained. "Last year it went down a little bit because there was a lot of construction," she said. "People didn't know how to get around. But this year, we're expecting more of an uptake, especially with the new stations. "We have a loyal membership with mem- bers coming back every year." The program is based on a "high rela- tionship model" whereby bike maintenance workers meet members, create trust and lis- ten for user feedback. Depending on weather, the season usu- ally runs from early May to mid-November. Members are allowed to use a bike for up to three hours at a time and can pickup and drop-off the bikes at any station in either city. With the new locations there will now be 80 bikes among 14 stations and fi rst-timers can take advantage of a $60 introductory rate for the 2017 season. More about the CAB program can be found online at www.theworkingcentre.org. Sharing a set of wheels Community Access Bikeshare program expands into City of Waterloo Community Access Bikeshare program coordinator Paulina Rodriguez, left, rolls out bikes along with team members Kari Kabi and Tabeel Kyei-Baffour, outside Kitchener City Hall. BILL JACKSON PHOTO Wetland community planting May 13 Th e Laurel Creek Citizens Working Group is hosting a community wetland planting event on May 13 at East- bridge Pond, (between Acadia Court and Cabot Trail), at 410 Eastbridge Blvd, Waterloo. Drop-in between 10:30 a.m. to noon to help plant native shrubs and wetland plants around this large stormwater management pond. Bring the whole family out and help us green this neighbourhood park. Th e City of Waterloo provides hand tools, gloves and refreshments. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear. A parent or guardian must super- vise children or children in their care under age 18. For more information, visit www.waterloo.ca/LCC. Scratch Day at the WPL set for May 13 Visit the Waterloo Public Library's Main Branch for Scratch Day, a special edition of our Open Family Creation Space, May 13 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 35 Albert St. W., Waterloo. Th e WPL will have computers and ipads available to play Scratch games and to learn basic coding through online games. Games and programs will be available for children ages fi ve and up. Children must be accom- panied by a caregiver. Drop in and join in the fun of Scratch Day at the Main Branch. For more information, visit www.wpl.ca. Taiwanese cultural display May 14 Th e K-W Taiwanese Canadian Association is hold- ing a Taiwanese music event at Waterloo public square, May 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., as part of Asian heri- tage month in Canada. Th is event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend and participate in some Taiwanese culture. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KWTCA. Play with Clay May 14 Th e Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery presents the next session of Play with Clay, May 14, 1 p.m., at 25 Caroline St., N. Waterloo. Visit www.theclayandglass.ca. "We need to � gure out a bike sharing system that's more accessible for people, so we're hoping that smart lock technology will get us there." Jane Snyder Community Access Bikeshare member