This year marks the 30th anniversary of Capital Bike’s Go By Bike Week!
This is a week in which the non-profit bicycle advocacy organization sets out to demonstrate the numerous benefits that come with using active transportation as a means of commuting throughout the Greater Victoria region.
“This is an event for everyone,” says Kristin Kain, Events Manager at Capital Bike.
“Whether you ride every day or haven’t brought the bike out of the garage in years, now is the time to ride!” Kain continues, “Ditch your cars for the week and try cycling—you might just like it,” she exclaimed.
The week-long event began on Monday June 3rd and ends on Sunday, June 9th.
Throughout the week, there will be over $25,000 in prizes for Capital Bike to give away, including a brand new e-bike and two other new city commuter bikes.
The big, grand prize this year is even an ultimate cycling adventure in Italy (Go By Bike BC Provincial Prize).
On top of new bikes, there will be swag handed out at several ‘Celebration Stations’ throughout the city along arterial cycling routes.
Additionally, at the Celebration Stations, there will be free food, drinks and basic bike maintenance available for cyclists.
Find when and where they will be set up online here.
All one has to do in order to win these prizes or prizes being given away to those participating on a provincial level, is logging your rides online and trying your hardest to ride every day of the week rather than using a vehicle.
Sign up and log your rides online via GoByBikeBC.
At the end of the week-long event, there will be a big party at the Sir James Douglas Elementary located at 401 Moss Street. This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 9th.
At this closing party, there will be free banana bread from Habit Coffee, Hornby Organic Bars as well as free activities like salsa dancing and a kid’s bike obstacle course.
Capital Bike added that this event isn’t just for cyclists, they want to encourage active transportation of any kind, be it bikes, scooters, skateboards or even roller skates.
Not only does cycling to and from work on a daily commute benefit a cyclist’s physical health, but Capital Bike says that it can also improve one’s mental health and cycling also helps reduce the amount of traffic using the roads, in turn reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses being emitted into the atmosphere.
“After trying it for one week, the habit sticks because they realize cycling is just a better way to commute. As soon as you hop on, your endorphins start pumping from the exercise—which makes you happier and more productive, you get to take in the fresh air, wave to your neighbours, save money on gas and parking, the list goes on,” said Kain.
“Most car trips in the Capital District are under 5 kilometres, which is about 15 minutes on a bike. It’s not as far or hard as it may seem at first,” she added.
Go By Bike Week is a tri-annual event in Victoria, taking place in the spring, fall and winter.
Will you be participating in this rendition of Go By Bike Week? Let us know in the comments!
