Bike to Work

The second annual Bike To Work week kicks off as a group of about 20 riders gear up to pedal into Duncan’s City Square this morning. “This is a big year for Cowichan Bike To Work week,” said Aaron Bichard, a member of the event organizing committee.

“Last year’s event was successful, but this year we’re ramping it up with more prizes, more celebration stations and, hopefully, more participation.”
The big give-away comes from Experience Cycling, which has donated a new bike as one of the prizes. Bichard said numbers for last year’s event were encouraging, but organizers would like to see even more people drop the car keys and jump on a bike for their daily commutes. “We had about 35 teams and 90 or so individual riders last year,” he said. “The idea is to get people out of their vehicles and get to work in a more healthy fashion.”

And healthy it is, said Joe Barry, the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s corporate secretary who has been riding his two-wheeler to work for the past 18 years. “I’m a large guy — I’m a Clydesdale — and I’m very fit with the cardio because of the riding,” he said. Barry said he feels good in other ways as well because of the decision to ride to work. “I know I’m helping the environment and the money I’m saving on gas is just unbelievable.”
Barry said he had one piece of advice for those even contemplating riding to work. “Stop making excuses and just do it,” he said.
The riders for the kick-off are scheduled to meet at Beverly Corners at 9:30 a.m. today. Bike To Work week officially begins May 11 and runs until May 17.
Entry forms are available at Experience Cycling, Cowichan Green Community and the News Leader Pictorial. Team leaders are encouraged to visit www.biketowork.ca to sign their teams up.
SIDE
What: Cowichan Bike To Work week launch
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18
Where: Duncan’s City Square
For more information call Aaron Bichard at 250-732-3619

By Mike Damour - Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial – Published: April 18, 2009 11:00 AM