How far can you go on two wheels?
With 11 celebration stations offering refreshments, a chance to win a bike and the opportunity to explore the area, Bike To Work Week is ramping up with the goal to register 300 participants in the Comox Valley.
The seventh annual event is hoping to bring together riders from all levels and distances, and Dawn Stevens, co-ordinator of Active Comox Valley, said the event, which takes place from May 26 to June 1, is not only for those riding to and from their workplace.
"If you work from home or don't have a physical workplace and are a cyclist and you're commuting anywhere — the gym, grocery store or school — all of those distances count, as long as cycling is the primary mode of transportation," she explained.
Participants can register individually or as part of a team, and through the website can log their distances either daily or at the end of the week.
All registrants will be put into a draw and one participant will win a Kona commuter bike courtesy of Simon's Cycles, added Stevens.
In addition to the celebration stations around the Valley as far as Black Creek and Cumberland offering refreshments and snacks, Stevens said there will a variety of events going on throughout the week.
"On May 23 we're going to be doing a commuter challenge starting at 3:15 p.m. at the Driftwood Mall. We're going to have three different cyclists … competing against the Eagle cruiser to the Lewis Centre to see who gets there the fastest in Friday afternoon traffic."
Michael Zbarsky, manager of transit and sustainability for the Comox Valley Regional District will also be participating in the challenge by taking transit.
"It will be a fun challenge to lead up to the event," added Stevens.
On May 26, there will a ride with the mayors and elected officials beginning in front of Courtenay City Hall at 8:45 a.m. and will highlight the new Fitzgerald bike lane.The event is open to the public and there will be snacks and refreshments beforehand.
Stevens said there are two more events planned throughout the week to highlight safe cycling, particularly for children aged three to five.
On May 28 at Simms Park, Strongstart, School District 71 and the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition will offer tips for safe cycling for kids with a short ride and demonstration at 9:45 a.m., with the Brooklyn School Strongstart hosting another ride May 29 at 10:45 a.m.
To wrap up the week, The Broken Spoke will host a BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a large group ride at 6 p.m. along the Rotary Greenway trail.
While the weather is looking promising, Stevens said the process to register is simple. She encourages anyone interested to visit biketowork.ca/comox-valley to register online or to get more information.
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