Cyclists stop at a celebration station during Vancouver’s Go By Bike Week. Photo: HUB Cycling
Vancouver is a bike-friendly city. Each spring, locals and visitors come together to celebrate Go By Bike Week. This year’s event takes place from May 29 to June 4 and includes group rides, webinars, and community celebration stations.
What is Go By Bike Week?
The week-long initiative runs from May 29 to June 4 and aims to encourage more people to choose cycling for everyday transport. Biking is a fun way to get around while staying healthy. It also helps save money and reduces air pollution. And it’s a great way to see our beautiful city. Each trip that cyclists log also helps bike advocacy groups collect data to improve cycling conditions in Metro Vancouver.
How Do I Register?
Register online for Go By Bike Week, then log at least one bike ride between May 29 and June 4. Any bike ride counts! You can bike to work, school, shopping, the gym, or just for fun!
You can register as an individual or form a team with your coworkers, family, or friends. Challenge your teammates to ride more often during the week or compete as a team for the most kilometres logged in various sectors.
Visit Celebration Stations and Community Stations
Take a break on your bike ride to visit a Celebration Station or Community Station. They offer cycling info and free basic bike maintenance. Some also offer free snacks and coffee.
There are over 30 stations located along major bike routes in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Port Moody, and Coquitlam. Check out the Celebration Station map and schedule to find one near your route.
Community Celebration Stations at Go By Bike Week
Try a Mobi Bike Share
Go by Bike is the perfect time to try out the Mobi bike share. Launched in 2016, Vancouver’s bike share network has over 200 stations spread across the city, so it’s easy to find a bike. During Go By Bike Week use promo code “gbbw” for a free 24-hour pass for their classic bikes. The promo code also gets you a discounted rate on their new e-bikes.
Attend a Webinar
Are you new to cycling? The event includes a free Intro to City Cycling webinar with tips for beginner bikers. There is also a free Intro to E-Biking webinar with info about buying, riding, and caring for your e-bike. Register in advance as space is limited.
Join a Group Ride
Hang out with other riders on a community-oriented group ride. There are two rides to choose from. The Gravel Buddies Community Ride takes on the trails of Stanley Park on May 30. Or join the Chill Rides Vancouver Community Ride for a relaxed pace ride around the roads of Stanley Park on June 1.
Cyclists ride through Rocky Point Park during Go By Bike Week. Photo: HUB Cycling
Take a Self-Guided Cycling Tour of Public Art
Vancouver is a great city to explore on two wheels. Vancouver Biennale makes it easy to find the coolest public art with over a dozen different options for self-guided cycling tours. The routes range from 5 to 50 km and include a map, step-by-step directions, and lots of info about the art.
Giants by Os Gemeos Photo: Destination Vancouver/Nelson Mouellic
Win Prizes!
Thanks to generous local business donations, there are lots of prizes available at this year’s Go By Bike Week. Log at least one trip to be eligible for the grand prize, a cycling adventure for two to Croatia, sponsored by Exodus.
This year the prizes are organized into gold, silver, and bronze tiers. If you log more trips, you can win prizes from higher tiers. The prizes include goodies from Cazador Cycle, Arc’teryx, Duer, Two Wheel Gear, Science World, Cycle City Tours, Sport Chek, Translink and more.
