With temperatures rising and rainy spring weather slowly dissipating, cycling enthusiasts are dusting off their bikes and making sure tires, brakes, frames and accessories are road and trail ready for another season of two-wheel, personal power commuting.
While hardcore cyclists battle the elements year-round, the entire cycling community will be out in full force throughout the week of Monday, May 29, to Saturday, June 3, to celebrate Bike to Work and School Week in Powell River.
“The whole focus of the week is on fun, health and wellness, and encouraging adults and kids to get out and make physical activity part of their daily routines,” said local Bike to Work and School Week coordinator Kerry Jones. “It is a week-long celebration, but we hope people will continue cycling afterward, too.”
Now in her third year as coordinator, Jones not only talks the talk, she walks the walk, or in this case, rides the ride.
“I’m retired, but I ride to the store sometimes, or to go for coffee,” she said. “I’m also an off-road mountain biker, but this past winter was a bit challenging due to the weather.”
Started in Victoria by a group of cyclists committed to raising the profile of commuter cycling, Bike to Work Week is now held annually throughout BC. The inaugural event in 1995 featured 500 participants. By 2016, the program had grown to include 52 communities and 36,998 riders.
In Powell River, 212 adult riders and 60 teenagers took part in 2016, 36 of whom were new riders, said Jones.
“We would love to get more people involved,” said Jones, who is also a member of Powell River Cycling Association, host of the local event.
In addition to adult teams and individuals, local schools and their students regularly participate in Bike to Work and School Week.
Parents Kim Leahy and Mike McHugh have been involved since their oldest child Benjamin, now 13, was in grade two at Edgehill Elementary School. Five years later, his siblings Charlotte, 11, Piper, nine, and even four-year-old Demi, are part of the family team.
“Ever since Ben has been participating, we have as well,” said Leahy. “In addition to health benefits, we think it is positive that we lower emissions harmful to the environment when we choose to cycle instead of driving.”
The family will ride to school together and then mom and dad will continue on to work. Leahy said the entire family is passionate about cycling in general, whether it involves mountain biking or riding on the street.
“The kids seem to have a better day, and I have a better day at work if I ride; it just gets the oxygen to the brain,” she said. “We are pretty much for anything that promotes outdoor activity and being outside.”
Jones said organizers not only encourage people to ride their bikes to school or work, but also to do errands around town.
“You can easily hop on a bike rather than getting in a car,” she said. “The city has been working on bicycling lanes and the intention is that even Joyce Avenue will eventually have a bike lane; that will make it easier and safer for people to do that ride.”
Special events are scheduled throughout the week, including bike checks, coffee, snacks and daily prize draws from 7:30-9:30 am Monday to Friday at a celebration station in front of First Credit Union on Joyce Avenue.
“A volunteer bike mechanic there can look at a bike that might have a small problem,” said Jones. “They can adjust brakes and take care of minor things.”
In addition to the morning checkups, a bike maintenance evening has been added to this year’s schedule. From 7-8 pm on Wednesday, May 31, at Powell River Bike and Skate Park, bicycle technicians will be on hand to show bike owners how to make minor adjustments and properly care for their bikes at home.
“Kids and adults can come out and learn how to oil their chain or check their brakes, or maybe change a tire,” said Jones. “It is free, just show up with your ears and/or your bike.”
Other highlights of the week include a pancake breakfast on Friday, June 2, at First Credit Union and a free pizza and prizes gathering, including a ride around the new paved pathway at Powell River Recreation Complex, from 12-2 pm on Saturday, June 3.
For more information, call 604.414.7082 or email [email protected]. To register a team or individual, go to biketowork.ca/powell-river.
