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Urbanthinkers is a sustainable transportation enterprise based in East Vancouver, BC with over a decade of international experience. We believe that walking and cycling to school can be fun, safe and invigorating – and that student leaders themselves will generate the shift away from a current over-reliance on driving to school.

Led by Arthur Orsini, M.A. (CV) we are at the forefront of developing new and innovative programs and resources that are in use across Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

We believe that authentic youth engagement will help to reduce traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and increase levels of daily physical activity.

Arthur in Melbourne, July 2011

Urbanthinkers is focused on increasing physical activity in the commute to school while reducing vehicular traffic within the community. A key element is in the engagement of the target audience in a community participation forum which includes parents, teachers, administrators, community partners and student leaders from as young as Grade 4 (age 9).

We thrive on innovation – successfully developing many ‘first ever projects,' including:

• Cycling Training for Teachers project – developed with Cara Fisher for the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition in 2008

• International Walk21 Youth Forum – YWALK Toronto, 2007

• Auckland Regional Youth Transport Seminar – Waitakere, New Zealand, 2006

• Transport Seminar within the annual Sir Peter Blake Youth Environmental Forum – Wellington, New Zealand April, 2006

• CUTA Youth Summit Steering Committee 2002 – inspired by the Victoria, BC teenagers working with Orsini

• Secondary School Vehicle Reduction Program - received an OECD Sustainable Transport Award: Education and Youth in 2000 (a project Orsini created while working at BEST in Vancouver)

@ Calgary's Winter Walk Day 2011

(yes, the photo is upside down so that you can read the mitts!)