Residents can pedal their way to a lower carbon footprint during the first Squamish Bike to Work Week, May 11 to 15.
Bike to Work Week a friendly competition between local businesses to see who can get the highest percentage of employees biking.
The community event started in 1995 in Victoria when a group of commuter cyclists encouraged 500 people to commit to a week of cycling. Since then, it has grown significantly and organizers anticipate over 18,000 people from across the province to participate this year.
Making time for fitness during busy schedules can be a challenge. Locals may enjoy a weekend ride, but in the Monday to Friday rat race, physical activity often gets pushed down the priority list. Ironically, the less one exercises the less energy they have.
Why not break the cycle by cycling to work? Biking to work will makes individuals feel better, relieves stress, and increases productivity.
You can hear the birds in the morning, and feel the afternoon sun on your back. Biking to work makes a difference. And best of all, it improves the air quality and reduces carbon footprints.
Are you a bike commuter already? Let your co-workers know just how fun biking to work is. Rally your team and sign up to be the bike to work 2009 champions. Businesses in Squamish nominate a leader to register their team at www.biketowork.ca.
The team leader tracks participation online each day, and at the end of the week winning teams will be showered with fame, glory, honour and prizes. Those with the highest percentage of employees participating win, so even small business can win big.
Participants can bike all, or part of the way, to, or from work. If the commute is too long, taking a bus partway may be a possibility.
Have to drop the kids off at daycare? Leave the car at the daycare and bike from there. Nervous to ride alone? Find out who else is biking from your area and join the group.
Every morning of Bike to Work Week, local organizers will be rocking the bike to work week celebration station on the corner of Cleveland and Buckley avenues. They will be giving away treats and cheering you along the way.
To wrap up this week-long biking fiesta, on Friday May 15 at 5 p.m. organizers will host another community slow ride, leaving from the Adventure Centre parking lot at 5 p.m.
Join the hordes as they take over the town on two wheels. Fore more details on Bike to Work Week contact event co-ordinator Kimberley Armour at kimberleyarmour@hotmail.com.
