Celebrate Go By Bike Week September 27 To October 3

Vancouver has a reputation as a leader in sustainability and locals love to cycle. Each fall we celebrate two-wheeled transportation with Go By Bike Week. The event encourages everyone to bike to work, school, or shopping and includes community knowledge stations and lots of fun prizes.

What is Go By Bike Week?

The week-long initiative runs from September 27th to October 3rd and aims to encourage more people to choose biking for everyday transport. Biking is a fun way to get around while staying healthy. It also helps save money and reduces air pollution. Each trip that cyclists log also helps bike advocacy groups collect data to improve cycling conditions in Metro Vancouver.

How Do I Register?

Register online for Fall Go By Bike Week, then log at least one bike ride between September 27 and October 3. Any bike ride counts! You can bike to work, school, shopping, the gym, or just for fun!

You can register as an individual or form a team with your coworkers, family, or friends. Challenge your teammates to ride more often during the week or compete as a team for the most kilometres logged in various sectors.

Visit a Knowledge HUB Community Station

Stop in to one of 24 in-person Knowledge HUB Community Stations during Go By Bike Week to receive free basic bike maintenance and cycling info. They also offer free snacks and coffee. Don’t forget to enter to win daily raffle prize giveaways. Stations are located along major bike routes in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, North Vancouver, and Coquitlam. Check out the Knowledge HUB map and schedule to find one near your bike route.

Win Prizes!

Thanks to generous local business donations, there are lots of prizes available at this year’s Go By Bike Week. Log at least one trip to be eligible for the grand prize, a cycling adventure for two to France, sponsored by Exodus.

There are also prizes for early bird registration (before September 24), daily draw prizes for gift cards to Park Royal, Scandinave Spa, and Arc’Teryx, Rad Power Bikes, and raffle prizes for gift cards and bike gear at each Knowledge HUB Station.

Fall Cycling Tips

• Get some bright lights. They keep you visible to cars and help you see where you’re going after dark. Consider adding reflectors to your bike and clothing too.
• Invest in a good lock to keep your bike safe.
• Don’t forget a helmet. By law, you must wear one in BC.
• For fall biking, a waterproof and breathable jacket is crucial to keeping you dry.
• Consider bringing a change of clothes and some toiletries in case you need to freshen up when you arrive.
• Research your route. Vancouver has lots of bike lanes and quiet side streets designated for biking. Check out Translink’s cycling maps to find the ones that work for you.
• Get a bike tune-up so you know everything is running smoothly. And always carry a patch kit just in case you get a flat.

By TARYN EYTON
Source Inside Vancouver