Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

TWO TIRED? RIDE YOUR BIKE!

Kamloops citizens encouraged to Go By Bike this week

May 31, 2021 | 4:33 PM

KAMLOOPS — This week is Go By Bike Week across BC. The not-for-profit event encourages British Columbians to ditch their daily drives and hop on a bicycle instead, to help promote health and wellness, sustainability and biking.

The event, which was formerly known as Bike to Work and School Week, is an opportunity for Kamloops bike riders to hop on two wheels to get around the city this week. Dewi Evans, the City’s Community Events Coordinator says the change in name of the event is a result of trying to encourage everyone to jump on a bike for any reason, not just to commute. It’s also a good chance to get cars off the road and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

“For example, myself — I’ve commuted just three times [by bike], which is about 12 km. By doing that it actually cuts about 3 GHGs, which probably doesn’t mean much to most people,” Evans says. “For me, it means you’ve saved 1,200 charges of a mobile phone. In my eyes, that equivalent to the lifetime of my mobile phone, from just three trips. It’s pretty awesome.”

With COVID-19 safety protocols still in effect, organizers have scrapped the Celebration Stations that would pop up throughout town, in previous years. However, this year Evans says businesses throughout the community have stepped up with special deals for cyclists.

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Evans also mentioned that any trip by bike counts this year, which is new. And of course, we know how many hills there are in Kamloops, which is why Kamloops Transit is offering free rides to folks who might want to avoid riding up the hills. And of course, there are a number of prizes if you sign up online.

“In order to be entered, just go to GoByBike.ca. You can sign up there, it’s pretty straightforward. Then every time you register for a ride, you’ll be automatically entered to win prizes. We’ve got a bike Kamloopsians can win, there’s a trip to Europe. And then there’s various bike swag and gift cards. Things like that.”