At 8:30 am The Commuter Challenge Race concluded – and what a race it was! Mayors, Councillors, Ministers, and local leaders raced for glory to see who was the first of their team to cross the finish line – the cyclist or the driver? As predicted, we saw the cyclists beat out the car drivers by 18-3! This event kicks off the three-week countdown to the 30th annual Spring Go By Bike Week – June 3rd-9th.
The Commuter Challenge simulates a real commute to work. It starts during the morning rush hour, goes through downtown, and shows the need for drivers to find parking while those who bike can bike up to the bike racks. The event, hosted by Capital Bike, was emceed by CTV news anchor Anna McMillan. Participants were awarded a gold medal and, of course, bragging rights. Following the race, we heard from MLA Grace Lore, Mayor Alto, and others about the impact of cycling and Go By Bike Week in the region.
The results show it all – bikes are an efficient, safe, and fun way to commute. Speeches from local leaders illustrated strong support for safe cycling, active transportation, and sustainability. Marsh Stevens, GoByBike BC Board Chair, celebrated this support, saying: “[today] was a little window of time to celebrate how far we have come, and to draw strength from our common resolve to make cycling a viable option for people of all ages and abilities.”
This was also backed up by government officials today. “Cycling is community building, it’s climate action, it provides people an opportunity for affordable transportation, and it’s good for our mental and physical health,” MLA Grace Lore explains. “The Commuter Challenge also shows that it’s a quick way to get to work and around the community.” City of Victoria, Mayor Marianne Alto, who raced cyclist Lore this morning as a driver, chimes in, “It was wonderful to see the community come together for this friendly competition, and I had fun racing – and losing to – my provincial colleague Grace Lore. The Commuter Challenge showcases how easy and convenient it is for folks to choose clean, affordable, and active travel more often in Victoria. From daily commuting to sunny weekend rides with family, we’re seeing more people biking and rolling in Victoria than ever before. ” District of Saanich, Mayor Murdock continues the sentiment, “[The Commuter Challenge] reinforces that investments in safe and convenient biking and walking infrastructure make it easier for everyone to get around in our region.”
Kristin Kain, Event Manager, Capital Bike, explains, “We are always talking to members of the public about the benefits of choosing cycling as a means of transportation, but sometimes it is hard to prove the immediate results of this choice,” she explains, “By holding an event like this, we are able to prove in real-time the very real wins in the bike versus car debate. Cycling allows you to enjoy your commute and ride right up to your destination, not sit in traffic or search for hard-to-find parking.”
The Commuter Challenge is held to support the upcoming Spring Go By Bike Week, a 100% free event that encourages everyone to try switching out regular car-commutes with active transportation and runs from June 3rd to 9th. “Bike to Work Week started to support people making the shift to active, sustainable transportation.” John Luton, an originator of Bike to Work Week comments, “[I am] stoked to see it grow into Go By Bike, with communities all across the province.”
Capital Bike is making it easy and rewarding for folks in the Capital Region to participate. Look out for 13 pop-up Celebration Stations along popular bike routes throughout the week. They’ll culminate in a fun Closing Party Station at Sir James Douglas Elementary on June 9th. Plus, to sweeten the deal, they’re offering over $25,000 in prizes, including the chance to win one of 3 grand prize bikes!
This tri-annual FREE event (formerly Bike to Work Week) encourages anyone in the Capital Region to give cycling a try for one week. This year is extra special as 2024 marks the 30th annual Go By Bike Week!
Are you interested in getting one of these cool T-Shirts that everyone is wearing? Now is your chance! Capital Bike has released the exclusive 2024 t-shirt design for the upcoming 30th anual Go By Bike Week.
All proceeds go towards supporting cycling advocacy, education, and celebration.
