Bike to Work

We are a few short weeks from Campbell River’s first Bike to Work Week. Impressively, there are over 45 teams registered and many people are already out enjoying the spring weather and riding. The popularity is not surprising as there are many great motivations to pedal to work. Perhaps one of the greatest perks to riding your bike between June 2nd to 8th is the chance to celebrate this positive and rewarding means of transport. And what better way is there to celebrate than a coffee and breakfast stop on Monday morning and a burger stop to wrap up the week on Friday afternoon?

During Campbell River’s first Bike to Work Week, plan your route to include a stop at the Celebration Stations to reward yourself for choosing two wheels for the day. The first Celebration Station is Monday, June 2 at Frank James Park (Hilchey Rd and 19A). Complimentary coffee and breakfast treats will be served between 7-9am. The second celebration is a BBQ downtown at Robert Ostler Park on Friday, June 6 from 4-6pm.

There is much more planned for the celebration stations that just something to eat! It is a chance to meet a community of bike commuters from the first timers to those admirable year round, rain or shine cyclists. You will be able to pick up the recently prepared bike route map and learn more about cycling in Campbell River and helpful tips for commuting and perhaps find people to ride with to make the trip even more enjoyable.

There is also an opportunity at the Celebration Stations at Bike to Work Week to ask questions about bicycle safety and learn specific tips about keeping your bike in good, safe shape. If your breaks squeal or your hands or neck feel pain while riding, you may find the right advice to make your ride more enjoyable (and quiet!) A few long time cyclists will attend each Celebration Station teaching ‘Fixing a Flat’ techniques, offering guidance for a 2 minute bike safety check, fielding basic mechanic questions and encouraging safe and enjoyable practices while riding.

At the BBQ Celebration Station there will even be a chance to learn about riding Naked. Sam Whittingham of Naked Bicycle, a custom bicycle and accessory fabrication company based on Quadra Island, B.C will join the celebration on Friday afternoon. Naked Bicycle has been in the news plenty recently and you will have the chance to ask Sam what it felt like to not only meet Lance Armstrong but to sell him a handmade, fixed geared bike; "Baba Ganoush". Or find out more about the prestigious awards that he recently won at the North America Hand-Made Bicycle Show. Or inquire about what it is really like to be known as the World’s Fastest Cyclist and traveling at ridiculous human powered speeds. Meet Sam on Friday, June 6 at Robert Ostler Park from 4 to 6pm.
If you have not registered your team for Bike to Work Week, rally up some team members and get ready to find out why bike commuters say that the commute is the best part of the day. Teams can be of any size and registration is at www.biketowork.ca.

For more information contact the City of Campbell River Parks, Recreation & Culture Department at the Sportsplex at 923-7911. Check out the website at www.biketowork.ca.

Contact: Meghan Best , Recreation Programmer 250-923-7911