This is the last of a five-part series from Coast Reporter and TraC (Transportation Choices) concerning commuter cycling on the Sunshine Coast during the annual Bike to Work and School Week of May 30 to June 5.
Bike to Work Week (BTWW) is just the kickstart many of us need to get out of cars and onto our bikes … and then to keep right on riding, and staying fit and happy.
The sixth annual event was a soaring success. The final numbers aren’t in yet, but at the time of writing, 289 registered participants recorded kilometres, and a combined total of more than 12,500 km cycled. For a community of our size and demographics, that’s remarkable, and very close to the amazing numbers of last year.
Celebration stations in both Sechelt and Gibsons saw big numbers of cyclists dropping in to share in the fun and enjoy free coffee and snacks. Displays by the Sunshine Coast Credit Union and the Coast Car Co-op were well received.
The 2016 BTWW had eight out of 10 elementary schools join in, and 233 entries to the Win a Bike contest. It was extremely hard to judge, but Shamus from Roberts Creek, Eli from Cedar Grove, and Farrah from Gibsons will all be taking home brand new Giant bikes. The high school contest saw over 25 teenagers take to the streets each day, and eight entrants to the Instagram contest. Coulter P., Shelley P. and Aiden W. all walked away with great prizes.
The popular E-Bike to Work initiative enticed seven of our local politicians to ride an EVox electric bike loaned by Spin Cycles. Watch the TraC website and Facebook page for Go-Pro footage of their adventures.
More than 100 people came, most on bikes, to Persephone Brewery for our wrap-up party in the hot sun. Too many people to name left as winners of some awesome prizes.
Bike to Work and School Week is about encouraging as many people as possible to try cycling for transportation, and to hopefully see it as a viable, healthy alternative to sitting in a car.
We also hope that a greater number of cyclists on the road leads to greater acceptance by other road users, which results in greater road safety. Thank you to all the motorists for their patience and politeness on the road, and to Cap Highways for the pre-event road sweeping.
And to the 74 new riders who got on their bikes and tried out biking to work – way to go!
Sincere thanks to this year’s celebration station volunteers whose enthusiasm was felt by all, and to our generous local sponsors for enabling it to happen.
See you on the road. Keep on biking, Sunshine Coast!
