Bunches of Blooming Bicycles
Wheel Life column - 11 March, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Spring has not officially arrived yet, but cycling activities are blooming all over. Here are some highlights.

The GVCC's 40-60 kilometre, medium-pace sport rides continue, leaving from the Cook Street Moka House at 10 am Sunday mornings. More than a dozen participated last week. Bring a snack or lunch money. Remember, cycling is just an excuse to eat.

The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC) has updated its website (http://www.gvcc.bc.ca) to provide more information then ever, including a calendar of events, commuter tips, and lots of great-looking photographs of local cycling activities (you might even see yourself in a photo). Luddites can get this information from the Coalition's monthly newsletter, Cycle Therapy for a $20 annual membership. [Editor: Here's the membership form]

The website includes route information for every type of cycling you could want: easy local trails, ten modest to challenging Victoria area hills to climb, long-distance tours on nearby islands, and some really tough rides, like Hurricane Ridge. Remember, cycling is just a great way to exercise and see the world.

The GVCC General Meeting takes place next Wednesday, March 15, 7:30 pm, at Camosun College (Lansdowne Campus), Fisher Building, Room #100. Find out more about local cycling issues and activities. For more information, call the GVCC hotline at 480-5155, or pick up a newsletter at local bikeshops. Remember, cycling is just an excuse to make friends and influence politicians.

The South Island Mountain Bike Society (SIMBS) is sponsoring an April Fool's Dance at the Prospect Lake Hall, starting at 8:00pm, with Whip, a terrific band. Remember, cycling is just a way to keep in shape for dancing.

Besides dancing, SIMBS does all sorts of great stuff, like organizing trail maintenance workshops, group trail rides, and off-road races. It also works to maintain mountain bike access to public lands and develop suitable trails. Hartland Mountain Bike Park maps and other details are available at http://www.simbs.com/. Remember, cycling is just an excuse to get dirty.

The Saanich Bicycle Advisory Committee has taken a creative approach to creating cycling routes. The Committee is developing a network of "Local Bicycle Connector Routes," which connect major destinations while avoiding busy streets. Today's map shows their first, in Gordon Head, which connects Mount Douglas Park with the University of Victoria. Small stickers attached to street signposts mark this route. Saanich is also developing Commuter Bicycle Routes, which are more direct and accommodate faster riding, intended for experienced cyclists. For more information, call Saanich Planning (250-475-1775 local 3406) or visit http://www.gov.saanich.bc.ca. Remember, cycling is a great way to get around.

The Town of View Royal also has cycling network plans in the works. View Royal Cycling Advisory Committee Chair, AJ Bryan, is pleased to report that bicycling and other forms of alternative transportation are now included in the town's Official Community Plan. Remember, cycling is just another way to improve your community.

If you want to get more serious about cycling, participate in riding skills workshops this spring. There are lots to choose from, including Women on Wheels, Women On Wheels Mountain Biking, and for men, Learn to Road Ride, and Learn to Mountain Bike. These classes help cyclists develop skills to ride efficiently and participate in sport rides and competitive events. The programs range from four to nine weeks, beginning at the end of March and continuing through the end of May. For more information, check the YM-YWCA program calendar, or call 995-2457. Remember, cycling is just an excuse to work up a sweat.

Want to share your cycling skills with the next generation? Cycling instructor, Ray Hall, offers advanced training on how to teach cycling skills to children. He also offers classes for bike commuters, introductory cycling skills, bike maintenance and Can Bike II. For more information, call 380-0172, or e-mail rayhall@pacificcoast.net. Remember, ride smart to ride safe.

The Fossil Fuel Free Parade will be held Saturday, April 22 (EarthDay) as part of the Earth Walk starting at noon from Centennial Square down Government Street to the Legislature. Any travel mode that is powered by carbohydrates rather than hydrocarbons is welcome: cycling, walking, skating, horseback and llama. For information call 480-7285, or e-mail steve@bikecartage.com. Remember, cycling is just another way to save the world.