City residents encouraged to hop on bikes for two-week cycling event

Photo: Pixabay

The City of Kamloops is encouraging residents to get cycling for this fall’s two back-to-back GoByBike weeks.

According to the city, the event promotes riding as a way to get active, lower stress and improve mental health.

Dewi Evans, the city’s community and wellness event coordinator, said the fall event offers an additional week of cycling compared to the one week GoByBike event in the spring.

“People enjoy riding for so many reasons beyond biking to work and school, and we’re excited that riders have an extended opportunity to participate,” Evans said.

“The event is focused on promoting any kind of riding, whether you replace a motor vehicle trip for an environmentally friendly journey, active transportation or simple enjoyment.”

From Sept. 27 to Oct. 10, participants can log their kilometres on GoByBike’s website, and enter to win prizes including a cycling adventure for two in France.

GoByBike is also setting up a social media scavenger hunt. Residents can take photos at specific landmarks and locations around the city, tagging GoByBike Kamloops on their social media posts for a chance to win prizes.

During the GoByBike event, the city is sponsoring free transit for cyclists.

The city said buses are equipped with easy-to-use bike racks, and transit fares will be complementary to cyclists with a helmet.

On Oct. 12, Vancouver-based Hub Cycling is also hosting a free webinar on cycling in fall and winter riding conditions, covering topics like advanced cycling safety, route planning and cold-weather care for bikes.

“The webinar is a great opportunity for Kamloopsians to learn how to tackle the winter riding conditions and extend their biking season in Kamloops,” Evans said.

Those wishing to participate in GoByBike week can get more details and register at GoByBike BC’s website.