Motorcycle Awareness + AI and Kids

Issue #580

Author

Carla McNeil
April 28, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Light rain

 😜 Rain Joke - What’s a storm’s entrance style? 🎉 

 🗓️ New West Events - Find Your Next Favourite Thing

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Annete U.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Motorcycle Awareness + AI and Kids

 🔗 Use the links above to skip to your favorite section.

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Thank you, Annete - you’re awesome!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 26.7 1926 - Record low -2.2 1907

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Tuesday April 28, 2026

📖 Storytime (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

📝 Health Expo '26 Job Fair – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🎤 Ukulele Level 1 at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

🍺 Drafts & Drag at S&O – 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Wednesday April 29, 2026

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-23 months) – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🎒 After-School Drop-In (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎤 Find Your Voice at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

📖 Pyjama Storytime (all ages) – 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🖌️ Julie's Recycled Printmaking Workshop – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Drag Bingo & Trivia – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

❓️Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

Thursday April 30, 2026

🗣️ English Conversation Circles at the Welcome Centre – 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍼 Baby Social – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👪️ Family Place Storytime & Play Lab – 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

🎙️ Rock Room Karaoke Nights at The Legion – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🏙️ NW City Matters - Schools Edition – 6:30 PM

😱 Twisted Tales at The Notorious Grey Fox  – 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

❓️ Steel & Oak Thursday Trivia Night – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

May marks Motorcycle Awareness Month, and the New Westminster Police Department is reminding everyone to take a little extra care on the road.

With warmer weather bringing more riders out, visibility and awareness become key. Motorcycles can be easy to miss in traffic, especially during lane changes or left turns at intersections.

For drivers, that means checking blind spots carefully, slowing down, and giving riders the space they need. Motorcycles are entitled to their own lane, and sharing it too closely can quickly become dangerous.

For riders, being seen is just as important. Bright gear, safe riding habits, and proper protective equipment can make a real difference.

In a busy city like New Westminster, where roads are shared by all, small actions behind the wheel or on two wheels can help prevent serious incidents.

As the season picks up, the message is simple: look twice, stay visible, and give each other space.

image via AI

A renewed push for stricter online safety laws is gaining attention across Canada — and the conversation is hitting close to home for families in New Westminster.

Child advocates are calling on the federal government to introduce stronger protections that include AI chatbots, gaming platforms, and social media, warning that online spaces are evolving faster than the rules meant to keep young people safe.

The urgency comes after a series of troubling cases across the country, including incidents where youth were exposed to harmful content, manipulation, and exploitation through online platforms — sometimes through chat features that allow strangers to connect directly with children.

Advocates say many of these risks are tied to platforms that are widely used by young people every day, including online games and AI driven tools.

🧠 Why This Matters in New West

In a connected city like New Westminster, where many young people are active online for school, gaming, and social connection, these concerns are not distant.

Local families, educators, and community groups are increasingly navigating questions around:

  • How safe online platforms really are for youth

  • The role of AI in shaping conversations and behaviour

  • How to protect young people while staying connected

Advocates are urging the government to introduce laws that would:

  • Require platforms to prevent foreseeable harm

  • Build safety into design from the start

  • Establish stronger oversight and enforcement

💬 A Growing Conversation

While legislation is still being developed, the issue is already sparking conversations in communities like New Westminster — where parents and caregivers are balancing digital access with safety.

The message from advocates is clear: as technology evolves, protections need to keep pace.

For now, awareness remains one of the most important tools. Staying informed, having open conversations with young people, and understanding how these platforms work are key steps families can take today.

🔍️ Spot the details

Today’s Tin Man mystery has some great clues.

🎁 This week’s prize (Apr 23 - Apr 29):
Win a $25 Gift Card from Fuel Hut.

Think you know the spot?
Head to Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s a storm’s entrance style? 🎉 

🌪️ Grand and unnecessary. ⚡️ 

Groan O' Meter

What do you say?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Meme of the Day

Brought to you by New West Spotlight Daily Digital Newsletter

What’s faster than word of mouth? New West Spotlight! It keeps you updated on what is happening locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in New West who might also enjoy reading the New West Spotlight?

Click to Share the newsletter

Shall we continue with a daily meme? Vote Today.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Want to see your local business in the spotlight?
We’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of New West Spotlight, where thousands of New West residents discover what’s new and local.

Not a business owner but have a favorite local spot?

Tell us all about it - email us at [email protected]

What did you think of today’s issue? (anonymous)

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.