Bike to Work Week takes place between May 28 and June 3. Bike to School Week runs from May 28 to June 1. Photo Dan Toulgoet
Vancouver cyclists are gearing up for the spring version of the bi-annual Bike to Work Week, which runs from May 28 until June 3.
More than 12,000 riders are expected to take part in the 11th annual event, according to Tom Skinner, HUB Cycling’s Bike to Work week manager.
Skinner said there’s been a steady increase in participants over the years.
“We want people to see how convenient and affordable it is to cycle to work,” Skinner said.
To underscore that message, HUB Cycling held a “rush hour challenge” on May 23 with teams of three competing to find out who could commute downtown in morning rush hour faster. They started at various locations around Metro Vancouver. Each team had a cyclist, driver and a transit rider on it.
Out of seven teams, five people on bikes — three on regular bikes, two on electric assist-bikes — made it downtown the fastest followed by two people on transit.
“All the cars were driving around looking for parking,” he said.
HUB Cycling cites research that suggests people who cycle to work regularly have a 46 per cent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 45 per cent lower risk of developing cancer.
Skinner also points out exercise such as cycling helps increase people’s energy, productivity and concentration at work.
Bike to Work Week participants can go to btww.ca to register for the event and log their daily commutes. Registering online enters participants into the grand prize draw — a cycling trip for two to Portugal with Exodus Travels.
There will also be daily bike give-aways for online participants, while “celebration stations,” pop-up events on bike routes, are being set up at 80 locations in Metro Vancouver.
“We’ll be giving away free coffee, free snacks and a bike mechanic will be there doing some basic bike maintenance,” Skinner said. “We will also be giving away prizes to people at those stations as well.”
Skinner said people don’t need specific gear for bike commuting,
“A lot of people mix up the sport side of cycling and the transportation side of cycling. You don’t need a racing bike, you don’t need a full suit of spandex. You just need comfortable clothing and a bike with two wheels and some brakes and then head on into work.”
Skinner expects Bike to Work Week participation will continue to climb, especially in neighbouring municipalities.
“Vancouver, itself, has had a lot of good infrastructure for a number of years, but a lot of improvements are happening around the region. We’re definitely seeing big increases in the other municipalities as a result."
Upcoming Bike to Work week events:
- Find the online map of the 80 celebration stations here
- June 1: Wrap-up barbecue at Creekside Park between 4 and 7 p.m.
- June 3: free Bike-in movie night at Queen Elizabeth plaza from 8 to 11 p.m.
Bike to School Week, meanwhile, runs between May 28 and June 1 in Metro Vancouver. HUB also organizes this event with support from TransLink, the provincial government and TD Friends of the Environment. Launched in 2013, it’s focused on elementary and middle schools. More than 220 Metro Vancouver schools are involved, hosting various events such as bike parades and safety sessions.
Students log their trips at their schools.
HUB anticipates students will take more than 23,000 trips by bike throughout the week.
The Vancouver School Board has 44 registered schools this year.
noconnor@vancourier.com
@naoibh
