Prince George, B.C.- The final numbers have yet to be tabulated, but organizers are already calling the 1st Bike to Work Week in Prince George a success.

 

Team leaders have until next week to submit their final participation records, but already the daily commute for 250 Prince George participants have been submitted, totalling almost 11,000 kilometres travelled by cycle during the week-long event.

 

“We are really happy with the outcome of the event, both in terms of the numbers and the direct  feedback we’ve received from sponsors and participants. Those who participated in this year’s event really want to see it continue, and we’ve peaked the interest of many more who are likely to try it in the future now that they have seen how fun and easy cycling can be,” says Jillian Merrick, Chair of Bike to Work Prince George’s organizing committee.

 

Unlike many other physical activity challenges, Bike to Work Week did not require participants to collect pledges or pay an entry fee. Participants simply joined a team at their workplace and hopped on their bikes. Free support services such as food and beverages, tire and chain maintenance, helmet fitting, and prize draws were offered at stations around the city throughout the week. Partnership with City transit services meant that participants could also take their bikes on the bus for free during that week.

 

Merrick notes that, “the transit passes offered to Bike to Work Week participants really helped to cater the provincial event to the local need. There are gaps in both the local transit services and the cycling infrastructure that will eventually have to be filled, but in the short-term, combining the bus and cycling systems really helped to overcome some of the shortfalls. I was really overwhelmed with the support that the City of Prince George offered to this event.”

 

May 25th is the final day for teams to submit their participation records.  At  that time, the winners of the grand prizes, valued at $1500.00, will be determined.