Greater Victoria is ready to roll as Capital Bike's Spring GoByBike Week kicks off from May 31 to June 6.
This free, community-focused event encourages everyone to ditch the car and experience the joy, health benefits and environmental advantages of cycling.
The week-long celebration will feature 14 Celebration Stations strategically located along popular cycling routes, offering riders free food, drinks, bike repair services, prizes and giveaways.
The Peninsula will host two stations: one in Central Saanich on June 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Lochside Regional Trail at Mount Newton Cross Road and another in Sidney on June 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Beacon Avenue at Fifth Street.
“We are proud to sponsor this year's Celebration Station beside the brand-new multi-use pathway on Mount Newton Cross Road,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “Hopefully, this local stop encourages Peninsula riders of all ages to take part in this fun event, whether you cycle all the time or are thinking about getting back on your bike.”
The Celebration Stop in Sidney coincides with the opening of the annual street market on Beacon Avenue.
"If you’ve been considering getting on a traditional, standard, or adaptive bike, this is a great time to pedal down to the first Sidney Street Market and enjoy free refreshments and snacks available to cyclists," Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith added.
Beyond the local excitement, participants can register and log their rides at gobybikebc.ca for a chance to win amazing prizes, including a Canadian-made Devinci bike or a Pedego e-bike.
The grand prize? A thrilling cycling adventure in Vietnam.
To be eligible for the grand prize, cyclists need to collect stamps from four Celebration Stations, log those rides and complete an Exodus Travel form.
The final Celebration Station will be open on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail at Harbour Road until 6 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
Last year, over 50,000 British Columbians logged nearly 2.5 million kilometres during GoByBike Week, preventing an estimated 539,683 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere – equivalent to taking 126 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
"Every ride during GoByBike week (and every week) counts," Capital Bike emphasizes.
For Central Saanich residents, there are also opportunities to join free community rides, including an E-Bike Ride on June 14 and a Nature Ride on June 22.
So, grab your helmet, pump up your tires and join thousands of others in experiencing the fun and freedom of GoByBike Week.
