Jane Wellburn
Tammy Keetch
Special to the Tribune/Advisor
It’s spring in the Cariboo — time to get out in the garden, bask in the sunshine, and dust off the ol’ bicycle for a cruise.
May 26 to June 1 is Bike to Work and School Week in B.C., a perfect opportunity to get pedalling. We all know that riding a bike is just a plain old good time, but it’s also a fantastic way to get in shape, save your wallet from the gas pumps, get your whole family out together and improve our air quality.
You might produce some CO2 huffing and puffing, but it’s nothing compared to what a vehicle pumps out. Motor vehicles create more air pollution than any other single human activity.
In Williams Lake the air pollutant of special concern for our health is called “particulate matter,” of which vehicle exhaust is a contributor.
If everyone in Canada chose an environmentally friendly form of transportation one day a week like cycling or walking, vehicle emissions would be reduced by 20 per cent! Using active transportation is one way to help keep our air clean.
Bike to Work and School Week is a great way to get out on the road with others and feel supported as you make the transition from four wheels to two.
The Williams Lake Environmental Society, the Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable, and local sponsors are putting together a week filled with all things cycling.
Riders can register online through the Bike to Work BC website, www.biketowork.ca/williams-lake, and challenge themselves and others as they rack up kilometres.
Every day you log kilometres you will be entered into a draw for prizes; the more riding you do, the better your odds of winning. Cyclists can track their routes, kilometers pedalled, emissions saved and calories burned.
Bike events will be happening throughout the week to get you going:
• The local bike shops, Barking Spider and Red Shred’s, will be hosting free lunch hour mechanic clinics to teach you some quick tricks to keep you rolling.
• The ladies at Satya Yoga Studio will be theming their week’s classes around the strength and stretches needed to keep you limber on your bikes. Check out their website for class times and rates: www.satyayogastudio.ca
• Keep an eye out for deals for Bike to Work Week participants at the local coffee shops during the week.
We’ve also got some great events for your post-commute Bike-to-Play evenings:
***
Tuesday evening, May 27, at 6 p.m. catch the weekly ladies ‘DH (downhill) to Downdog’ mountain bike ride leaving from Red Shred’s. Catch a shuttle up and then roll into Satya Yoga Studio at 7:30 p.m. for a $10 drop-in yoga session; the studio will provide safe lock-up for bikes. If you’re up for an asphalt pedal, join the Barking Spider crew on a Tuesday evening road bike ride leaving from the shop at 6 p.m.
***
Wednesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. head out on the ‘Welcome to Wednesday Night’ mountain bike ride. Cross-country enthusiasts can meet at 6 p.m. at the old garage next to the Overlander. Expect some cardiovascular action and come prepared to spend a few hours in the saddle.
***
On Thursday, May 29, it’s all about the kids. After the commute to school meet up at the Boys and Girls Club. They’ll be heading out on an intro to mountain biking ride with the 8-12 year olds from 3 to 5 p.m. and will wind up at the Bike Park in Boitanio with a barbecue at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to head down to the park and grab a burger!
***
Friday, May 30 will wrap up the workweek, and while Bike to Work Week officially rolls through the weekend and ends on the Monday, we’ll wrap things up in the Puddle at the first Friday Night Market of the season.
Test your slow motion precision on a bike during our inaugural Bike Soccer Match and soak in a great community vibe downtown on a Friday evening. Prizes will be awarded to children, youth, and adult participants
Check out the website for a family friendly biking guide, safety tips for new cyclists and children, and all the latest. It’s going to be a great week. We encourage you to get registered and get pedalling!
Jane Wellburn and Tammy Keetch are members of the Williams Lake Environmental Society and Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable.
