Can biking to work or school make you happy?
That's a question an Insights West poll asked. The answer: 94% of cycling commuters found their trip to the office "pleasant."
And now Tri-City residents, including children, have a chance to find out if it's true.
Bike to Work Week (May 25 to 31) and Bike to School Week (May 25 to 29), will give people of all ages a chance to explore some transportation alternatives.
And trading car rides for human-powered transportation is not a hardship, according to HUB Cycling spokesman Colin Stein.
Participation rates are expected to be high, he said, topping last year's effort, when more than 10,000 people signed up to be part of the program. As well, more schools are expected to participate in Bike to School Week, with at least three Tri-City schools joining in the fun.
"When you have more people cycling, it encourages people to cycle," Stein said.
To jumpstart the festivities, Sir Frederick Banting middle school in Coquitlam hosted a Tri-Cities Tricycle Challenge today, Thursday, with a friendly tricycle riding competition between the mayors of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, and between principals from three local schools.
And next Wednesday (May 20), HUB will host a multi-modal challenge to see who can get downtown by car, bicycle and transit the fastest.
"It's been a really fun way of engaging people," said Stein, who said in previous years, the bike got to the finish-line first.
From May 25 to 29, events for Bike to Work and to School weeks will be underway, with participants logging their mileage for the chance to win prizes. To help commuting road warriors, there will be celebration stations, including one each in Port Moody and Coquitlam, with free coffee, snacks, cycling maps and bike repairs.
This year, HUB expects to draw even more new and experienced bike commuters to the event, with approximately 75% of the brand new bike commuters expected to keep riding their bikes to work regularly after the event.
And HASTe BC (HUB for Active School Travel) is hoping for good participation from schools, too.
"Travelling by bike to and from school is such a great option for students, yet so many families still drive often short distances for the school trip," Mike Smith of HASTEe BC said in a press release. "We're hoping the Tricycle Challenge encourages more schools to register for Bike to School Week this year, giving more students the chance to get on their bikes and ride."
Teachers and administrators can register for Bike to School Week for free here.
Teams and individuals can register for Bike to Work Week at bikehub.ca/registration.
Celebration stations
The Tri-Cities will host two celebration stations during Bike to Work Week:
Monday, May 25, 4 to 6 p.m. at Foster Avenue and Poirier Street, sponsored by the city of Coquitlam free snacks, drinks and bike mechanic services from Cap's Westwood Cycle; there will also be a chance to win a one-night's stay at Accent Inns.
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 to 9 a.m., at Ioco Road and Murray Street, sponsored by the city of Port Moody free snacks, drinks and bike mechanic services courtesy of Cap's Westwood Cycle; there will also be a chance to win a Sahn helmet,
