Greater Victoria 'Go By Bike Week' kicks off for 29th year
Capital Bike is encouraging Greater Victoria residents to choose cycling as a way to get around the region during "Go By Bike Week," which runs from May 29 to June 4.
"We just encourage folks to get out and try a trip by bike," said Capital Bike events manager Jordan Glowicki. "Maybe you go to work, to school or maybe a trip you would have done with a car."
The annual week-long event kicked off at a "celebration station" at Esquimalt’s Archie Browning Sports Centre on Monday.
Organizers say almost 200 cyclists turned out for free sandwiches, coffee and a chance to win more than $20,000 in prizes.
"This year we have some great food sponsors at our celebration stations, like Hornby Organic bars, and Dominos Pizza is sponsoring our block party wrap up at Oak Bay Bikes," said Glowicki.
"We also have a new station on June 2 at Central Library to encourage pedestrians to see what Go By Bike is all about," she said.
Glowicki says that biking is a great way to get around and there is a lot of support for new riders in the cycling community.
She says there are also fitness and mental health benefits for people who have made cycling their principle form of transportation.
"This year we have close to 3,000 people registered for Go By Bike Week, and last year we had close to 7,000 by the end of the week," she said.
Glowicki says the organization sees a large number of new riders each year since the event was launched 29 years ago. She says they have seen the age of new participants range form young children who ride to school to older adults using e-bikes or adaptive cycles.
"All the really great bike infrastructure just makes it easier and safer for everyone," said Glowicki. "We want people to try it out, come to a celebration station and see how safe and accessible it is."
BC Transit is offering cyclist free rides in Greater Victoria in support of Go By Bike Week. Riders can get a free ride aboard a BC Transit bus by putting their bike on the bike rack at the front of the bus or showing their helmet to the operator when boarding.
Organizers say they will be tracking the number of cyclists who participate in the event. They encourage people to register on the Go By Bike website and log their rides.
"It gives us a great way to track the kilometres biked and the green house gas emission offset," said Glowicki.
"It's a great way to see your community, see the seasons change and engage with other riders," she added.
Cyclists who receive at least four stamps from four celebration stations will be entered to win one of three grand prizes. This year's Go By Bike Week grand prizes include an e-bike, two commuter bikes and a family pass to WildPlay.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Election deniers: West Virginia voters must pick from GOP candidates who still dispute 2020 election
When West Virginia Republicans vote in Tuesday's primary, they will have a hard time finding a major candidate on the ballot in any statewide race who openly acknowledges that U.S. President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.