Communities across BC will be doing their part to promote fitness and reduce greenhouse gases by participating in Bike to Work Week from Monday, May 27, to Sunday, June 2. Local organizers hope more people will discover cycling as a viable alternative to driving a car.
Last year over 19,000 British Columbians participated in the seven-day event, logging almost 900,000 kilometres and saving more than 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.
Powell River had 32 registered teams with 295 participants and logged over 8,000 kilometres. Powell River Cycling Association (PRCA) is organizing the event locally again this year.
“We are always hoping for more teams and more participants,” said Hugo Sloos, PRCA president. “Our mandate is not only encouraging cycling for fitness, but also for commuting, fun and family.”
Participating in the event is simple and there are prizes to be won. Commuters need only “formulate a workplace team, sign up at the website and off you go,” said Sloos.
Each workplace team has a leader who coordinates the logging and submitting of daily ride data. Daily draw prizes will be awarded in addition to end-of-competition prizes based on team size and number of kilometres cycled.
Celebration stations will be established at various locations in both the mornings and afternoons, where cyclists will find food, drinks and support.
The week wraps up on Sunday with a community ride from LW, previously Liquidation World parking lot to Willingdon Beach where participants will have a barbeque and prizes will be awarded.
For more information about Bike to Work Week, where celebration stations are planned or to register a team in the event readers can visit the website.
“It does take a bit of time to prepare for bike commuting compared to just jumping in the car,” said Sloos. “But with a little planning bike commuting can be a lot of fun.”
