Editor's note: This is part five of a five-part series between Coast Reporter and Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) featuring cycling programs and improvements by several organizations on the Coast.
This year the Sunshine Coast is one of 22 communities in B.C. hosting a Bike to Work Week event.
Last year more than 15,000 people province-wide joined in on 2,400 teams. That saved an estimated 170 tonnes of Greenhouse Gas emissions from entering the atmosphere in one week while cycling of a million km!
Many people choose bicycling for fitness and activity reasons. And studies confirm this benefits not only the employee - people who ride or walk to work are more productive at work.
With more than 35 teams already registered on the Coast we're a hotspot for this event. Along with provincial sponsorship, Sunshine Coast Credit Union, SCRD, Coast Reporter, Alpha Adventures, Off the Edge and Spin Cycles are supporting as well as a wide range of community business sponsors.
Several ambassadors are helping getting the word out and helping profile the event including Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living, St. Mary's Hospital, District of Sechelt, Sechelt Downtown Business Association, Capilano University, Town of Gibsons, and the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce.
Transportation Choices (TraC for short), a new Coast society is leading event co-ordination. In addition to hosting cheering-food stations for riders, a bike clinic and Friday celebration and prize event at the Gumboot, TraC is also gathering the last of input on where to place 43 new bike racks on the Coast. Get a new rack for your local pool, ice-cream shop, restaurant or park - vote at http://www.transportationchoices.ca/bike-rack-survey.
Why ride?
Hana Rose, recreation office co-ordinator at the SCRD said, "I love getting to work on my own power and try to do it often. Sometimes I walk, sometimes I bike, but either way, being outside in the fresh air, smelling the ocean, the forest, sometimes seeing wildlife on the way is a lovely way to start the work day.
"At the end of the day, riding my bike home clears my mind and makes me feel like a kid."
Kaia Nielsen, a teacher on the Coast, admits, "I was inspired to start biking with last year's Bike to Work week, and I've been hooked ever since."
Elizabeth Quayle of Spin Cycles echoes that with a smile, "I dare you! Try it just once."
With registered teams eligible to win a new Giant Mountain bike - and lots of other prizes -it's hard not to.
For free registration to Bike to Work Week, go to www.biketowork.ca and click the tab "Register Team."
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