At 8:30am “The Race to The Leg” concluded – and what a race it was! Mayors, Councillors, Ministers, and local celebrities raced for glory to see who would cross the finish line first– the bike or the car? The result: 17 bike wins, 1 car win , and 2 teams tied! The Commuter Challenge kicks off the four-week countdown to the 29th Spring Go By Bike Week.
Capital Bike’s Commuter Challenge simulates a real commute to work. It starts during the morning rush hour, goes through downtown, and shows how the total trip journey time in an automobile is usually slower than simply biking. The event, hosted by Capital Bike, was emceed by CTV news anchor Anna McMillan. Participants were awarded a locally-made wood medal, and, of course, bragging rights. Following the race, important elected officials, such as the Honourable Rob Flemming, Honourable Grace Lore, Mayor Murdoch, Mayor Alto spoke about the impact of cycling in the region.
The results show it all – bikes are an incredibly efficient, safe, and fun way to commute. Speeches from local leaders showed how all levels of government are supporting changes towards safer cycling, active transportation, and sustainability.
“I think the importance of events like this is that they highlight the need for significant improvements to road safety infrastructure.” says Mayor Murdoch, District of Saanich, “The Commuter Challenge is an example of just how easy it is when there is that protective infrastructure available for folks to use, and that people will make the choice to use it.”
“For me cycling is climate action, it’s good for our mental health, it’s community building, and that needs to be available to everybody” says Honourable Grace Lore, MP, Minister of State for Child Care “Safe, protected infrastructure is essential.”
Jordan Glowicki, Event Manager, Capital Bike, explains, “We are always talking to members of the public about the benefits of choosing cycling as a means of getting around. But sometimes it is hard to prove the immediate results of this choice”, she explains, “As we gear up for Spring Go By Bike Week, the Commuter Challenge shows us how cycling allows you to beat the traffic and have a great time while doing it.”
The Commuter Challenge marks four weeks until Go By Bike Week, which starts May 29th and continues until June 4th, closing with a Block Party at Oak Bay Bikes. “We are so excited to be hosting this year’s Closing Block Party!” says Alexa Andolong, Communications Manager, Oak Bay Bikes “Go By Bike Week is such an important event for us because it shows how much of a difference cycling makes in the community. We’re also excited to see our parking lot – a space meant for cars – to be filled with cyclists and businesses who support cycling in Victoria! You can’t beat the atmosphere at a Go By Bike Week Closing Block Party either, with music, delicious food, and sunshine!”
Grand Prize bikes were announced during speeches. Oak Bay Bikes has donated a Townie Go 7D e-bike, and BC Transit is providing a Marin Kentfield 2 commuter style bike. Participants of Go By Bike Week and enter to win these prizes and thousands of others at gobybikebc.ca.
Registration for Go By Bike Week is open. Visit Gobybikebc.ca or capitalbike.ca to learn more.
Why have we put up with traffic for so long? It is too much noise and pollution and stress. Very bad for everyone’s health,both physical and mental