Coast residents got their bicycles out and hit the highway to participate in the inaugural Bike to Work Week May 30 to June 5.
The week-long effort encouraged people to engage in commuter cycling as a safe and healthy alternative to automobile travel.
The event proved to be popular here on the Coast as more than 200 cyclists participated, either as individuals or as part of the 44 teams that registered for the event. More than 7,000 km were covered during the week, and 1,600 kg of carbon dioxide emissions were saved.
Stations were set up in Gibsons and Sechelt to provide coffee, snacks and encouragement to participants.
Co-ordinator Martin Prestage was pleased with the week.
"There were no accidents reported, and certainly no conflicts reported. Overall, there was a very positive feeling from the whole thing. It raised good awareness," Prestage said. "We had a very, very bad weather week. It was one of the worst May/June weeks we've had, so to get people to turn out in those types of weather conditions was pretty phenomenal."
Sunshine Coast Regional District community energy manager Johan Stroman said the event was a great success for its first year and provided input into what cycling improvements need to be made along Coast roadways.
"We've got the great work that's being done now in the Selma Park area, which is going to help a portion of that chunk of the commute become a lot safer and smoother for drivers and cyclists. That's a great step forward," Stroman said.
Originating in Victoria, the14-year-old programhas expanded throughout the province with nearly 25 communities currently participating.
With 2011 considered a success, organizers are already looking forward to next year.
"I really do think we can match other similar sized communities and probably triple our results in the next couple of years," Prestage said. "I'm very optimistic."
