Cyclists put nearly 10,000 kilometres behind them in this year’s Bike to Work and School Week.
The event wrapped up June 3, and local co-ordinator Karina Chambers is billing this one as a victory in changing people’s attitudes and actions.
“The whole idea is basically to get out of your car and get on your bikes and ride, or walk,” said Chambers following Friday’s celebration barbecue at Gyro Park. “The main thing is we want people out of their cars, reducing greenhouse gases and creating a healthier lifestyle for themselves. So anytime you bike, whether it’s to work or school or for errands, that’s what we’re encouraging.
“Overall it was a great success. Anytime I’m riding the streets and seeing fellow bikers out there riding to work and going to school I think it’s a success in the right direction and Penticton is definitely moving towards becoming a more bike-friendly city.”
While the number of registered riders had still not reached the 2015 high of just over 600, by Saturday it was quickly approaching the 600 mark with a few school numbers still to come in.
Total calories burned over that time was almost 300,000, and greenhouse gas emissions saved was pegged at 2,142 kilograms.
“I did see lots of riders on the streets and at our celebration stations so I know people are out there biking this year. I saw a lot of kids with their parents and got lots of positive feedback about how they were enjoying taking their kids to school by bike,” said Chambers. “It was a little more work but definitely doable for them so that was great to hear.
“Adults need to set an example for their kids and kids often spur on adults to become healthier and more interested in biking.”
Among the inspiring stories she heard during the event included a couple who biked to work in Penticton each day from their home in Oliver.
And while there is still a ways to go, she believes Penticton is becoming more two-wheel friendly.
Related: Gear up for Bike to Work/School Week
“Unfortunately we hear a lot of negative stories about Bike to Work Week about people not feeling safe on the roads or they could not lock their bikes up without fear of theft but I think things are changing,” she said. “I think more and more businesses are becoming bike friendly and that will encourage more people to get out of their cars and get on their bikes and ride to work.”
That includes businesses and the city working together to provide more secure storage options.
It also included having the Penticton RCMP community policing officials at the stations during the week to register bicycles as part of a theft prevention program.
A member of the Penticton and Area Cycling Association’s urban bikers committee, Chambers would like to see a divided bike lane the length of Main Street.
“Families and kids don’t feel safe on our streets and that says a lot about riding in Penticton,” said Chambers. “There are a lot of people who would benefit from a divided lane, not just bikers, walkers and seniors using mobility aids, which shouldn’t be on the sidewalk either and it (divided lane) wouldn’t be slowing down traffic so we’re going to continue to put more pressure on the city for that.”