The good weather is here and with it comes the loss of a whole lot of excuses of why you canB次元官网网址檛 bicycle to work.

Taking advantage of this is the Bike to Work Week event, currently being celebrated this year in 26 communities throughout the province from Monday, May 28 to Sunday, June 3.

The West Shore is part of Bike to Work Week Victoria. Despite the distances for those who work downtown, there have still been many people hopping on their two wheels and heading to work.

To kick off the campaign on Monday, organizers of Bike to Work Week hosted a Celebration Station on the Galloping Goose trail in Colwood.

Executive director Frank Hudson handed out juice and snacks to commuters at the temporary pit stop. Bike mechanics were also available for those who needed a tune up or air in their tires.

Hudson lives in the Glen Lake area and commutes by bicycle. He said itB次元官网网址檚 good to see cyclists commuting from the West Shore and taking advantage of the infrastructure that exists.

B次元官网网址淲hen you think of the trails, when you think of what Langford has done with ... all of the bike lanes, itB次元官网网址檚 fantastic,B次元官网网址� said Hudson. B次元官网网址淵ou arrive at work a lot fresher, you save a ton of money and itB次元官网网址檚 better for the environment.B次元官网网址�

Another Celebration Station popped up at Veterans Memorial Park on Thursday.

Cyclists beat motorists

On May 23, Bike to Work Week held a Commuter Challenge, which compared times for people getting to work by bicycle and by vehicle.

One Langford couple, Amy and Curtis Dearden, took part in the challenge and, on their bicycles, raced two vehicles to their respective destinations in and around downtown Victoria. The couple won by about six minutes. Amy said their vehicle opponents got about as far Thetis Park before hitting heavy traffic and slowing to a crawl. Even with taking a break to help a third teammate who had a flat tire and had to bow out, the couple still managed to reach their destination faster.

B次元官网网址淪hows you how slow the crawl can be,B次元官网网址� Amy Dearden said.

They each reached their respective destinations in about 22 minutes. Granted, both have experience with bicycle racing, but they promise that even the most amateur of riders are capable of making it to work within 15 minutes of when they would arrive by car.

Throughout the year the Deardens can be found commuting to work by bicycle. Heavy snow is about the only thing that stops them, or after-work chores that require a vehicle. By cycling, they have managed to go from owning two cars to one, and are clearly noticing the money saved in fuel costs.

B次元官网网址淢ost mornings, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter the weather, I donB次元官网网址檛 even think about it, I just get on my bicycle,B次元官网网址� said Curtis Dearden. B次元官网网址淪ometimes, when you have to drive, you kind of miss it. You get to work and you havenB次元官网网址檛 had the fresh air, and you havenB次元官网网址檛 had that little bit of exercise.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 the fresh air, itB次元官网网址檚 just so much nicer. I feel like IB次元官网网址檓 more awake when I get to work,B次元官网网址� Amy Deardon said.

During the winter the couple typically only see a few other people cycling to downtown from the West Shore. The volume picks up in the spring and into the summer, when the weather is better and you can cycle to and from work in the light of day.

B次元官网网址淭ry to start around now and even just make a target of two or three days a week,B次元官网网址� Curtis Dearden said. B次元官网网址淕et into it over the summertime.B次元官网网址�

news@goldstreamgazette.com

Commuter tips

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e more likely to do it if it feels good, right?B次元官网网址� said year-round cycling commuter Amy Dearden. B次元官网网址淪o having the right equipment is important.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� A helmet is a must. And lights, if you are going to ride at night.

B次元官网网址� Having a road bicycle, versus a heavier, harder to ride mountain bike, will make for an easier commute.

B次元官网网址� Make sure to have fenders and rain gear for less-than-ideal weather

B次元官网网址� Be sure thereB次元官网网址檚 enough air in your tires, for a smoother and easier ride

B次元官网网址� Look out for vehicles. Assume they donB次元官网网址檛 see you and be careful when passing cars on the right.

B次元官网网址� Choose a good route, give yourself enough time and enjoy the journey.