Blenkinsop Trestle Opening Celebration
Wheel Life column - September 09, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

The Blenkinsop Trestle is finally complete, and goodness is it beautiful! It fills a missing link in our regional trail system that will make it easier to bike or hike between the Saanich Peninsula, Victoria, and the Western Communities.

We explored it last Sunday, and what we saw is delightful. Blenkinsop Lake is gorgeous, a sparkling oasis of water and vibrant forests. The planners wisely made the trestle wide enough to accommodate plenty of cycle and pedestrian traffic without crowding people who just want to stop and enjoy the view.

Saanich is holding a big party today, September 9, to celebrate the official opening. Festivities will take place along the trail from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, with a special ceremony at the trestle at 2:30. There will be displays and activities along the trail in that area, with lots of activities for children, music and free snacks (after all, cycling and hiking are just excuses to eat).

To get there you can cycle north from McKenzie, starting at Borden Road (at the Motor Vehicle Branch office), or ride south on the Lochside trail from Lohbrunner Road. The stretch of trail around Blenkinsop Lake is particularly lovely. The lake is surrounded by farms, and as you ride north you'll cycle under an arch of trees filtering sunlight into myriad shades of green.

One of our favorite family adventures is riding the Lochside Trail to Mattick's Farm for lunch, then continuing north as far as we have time, to see the model airplanes, the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, and other attractions along the way.

The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition is sponsoring a ride that leaves from the Moka House (345 Cook Street, in the Cook Street Village) today at noon in order to arrive at the trestle just in time for the ceremony. Everybody is welcome.

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A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that bicycle commuters have a 40% reduction in mortality compared with their indolent workmates (Lars Bo Andersen, et al, "All-Cause Mortality Associated With Physical Activity During Leisure Time, Work, Sports and Cycling to Work," June 12, 2000).

To help you live long and prosper, the Greater Victoria Bike To Work Society is offering one-day Cycling Commuter Traffic Skills courses, free of charge, in September and October. This course is for those who already ride a bike for recreation and want to develop year-round bike commuting skills.

The course combines in-class and on-road instruction taught by nationally certified cycling instructors. Students will learn the rules of the road for cyclists, bike handling, and strategies for bike commuting throughout the year.

For registration information call 920-5705 or visit http://www.biketoworkvictoria.ca.