Aided by sunny and warm weather, Campbell River and Quadra Island turned out en masse to celebrate Bike to Work Week 2014 from May 26 - June 1.
There were 416 cyclists registered for the event, including 129 new riders, on 72 teams. When compared to 2013, the number of teams was down slightly but riders were up 30 per cent and new riders were up an amazing 200 per cent. Women beat out men on the participation front, making up 55 per cent of the cyclists.
If everyone’s rides for the week were joined end to end, local riders would have made it to St. John’s Newfoundland and back (almost) to Campbell River with a total distance of 14,917 kilometers recorded. All of the huffing and puffing along the way burned up 447,500 calories and avoided the release of 3,200 kg of greenhouse gases.
In return for their hard work, riders enjoyed fruit, yoghurt, muffins and coffee at three breakfast celebration stations and were able to chow down on fresh salmon burgers at a Spirit Square BBQ. They were also treated to a bicycle themed movie night at the Campbell River museum.
Anyone who participated in the event was eligible for the Grand Prize of a Kona commuter bicycle donated by Spokes bicycle shop. The Grand Prize winner was Henry Grierson who received his new bike from Eddie Allen of Spokes.
The local BTWW committee will be building on 2014’s success and has already started making preparations for Bike to Work Week 2015.