Pedal challenge issued

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The RDOS and City of Penticton are putting the pedals to the pavement for Bike to Work Week.

The organizations have a tradition of challenging each other to see who can get the most participation – and this year is no different.

This time around, the losing team's chair or mayor and CAO will pedal their counterparts down Main and Martin streets on a four-seated bike.

The tradition began in 2010 when Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, then a councillor, challenged the RDOS. The regional district won that year.

The next year, the event's infamous tricycle was added; the losers (the city again) having to ride an obstacle course on it.

In 2012, the regional district again won, and then-mayor Dan Ashton had to ride an old-fashioned penny farthing bicycle through the city.

No change in 2013, when the mayor and CAO rode on a double bike, decked out in chicken and deer costumes.

Last year, the city finally broke its jinx and is looking to repeat the victory.

Council accepted the challenge from the RDOS on behalf of the city.

Bike to Work Week will take place in Penticton from May 25 to 31.