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On Two Wheels

Image - Photo of Bikers

The Otesha Project, a youth-run charitable non-profit organization, uses a combination of modeling, education programs, and printed resources to enable and empower their generation to take action towards a sustainable future.

What are they doing?

Young people are among the main actors and motors of change. Their attitudes and behaviours regarding transportation will continue to determine Canada's transportation patterns for decades to come, not only through their personal choices but also in public policy and corporate practices. Their involvement is not only a crucial part in the success of any sustainable transportation framework, but can also be extremely effective in creating long lasting and widespread attitudinal and behavioural change.

Building on the success of the 2003 cross-Canada Otesha bike tour, the On Two Wheels Program will bring 60 young sustainable transportation role models on bicycles and 1 bio-diesel / hybrid support vehicle to engage youth on sustainability issues in 70 largely rural communities in various regions of Canada. To cover the widest geographic range during biking season, one team will cross Canada over six months following up with communities visited on the 2003 Tour, and three two-month regional tours will visit additional areas that they would like to target but are unable to reach in a cross Canada route.

In each community, team members will promote sustainable transportation choices through a variety of public engagement tools. These include theatre presentations to high schools and community gatherings; 'Co2zilla' puppetry workshops in which students prepare their own presentations for their peers; facilitating the creation of action plans; sustainability joy rides; bike repair/bio-diesel/hybrid info sessions; and modeling personal and team sustainable transportation choices with every km traveled.

Where can you find more information?

The Otesha Project Website

Image - The Otesha Project Logo




Date modified:
2010-02-03