Bikes versus cars!
On Wednesday, May 7th, bikes will face off against cars to see who has the faster commute in the Greater Victoria region.
The ‘Commuter Challenge’ event will see 17 car versus bike teams of local leaders race to the BC legislature as a way to kick off the 31st Spring Go By Bike Week (GBBW) which begins officially at the end of the month.
Those taking part will all leave their homes at the same time, riding to the legislature as a way to demonstrate what a commute to downtown would be like for anyone in the Greater Victoria region.
This Capital Bike event has been held almost every year since Go By Bike Week was launched in an effort to demonstrate the benefits of cycling to work rather than driving.
According to last year’s race results, 86% of the cyclists beat their motorist counterpart, with the three winning motorists having been from teams commuting from the West Shore.
This year, several local politicians and leaders will be participating in the event, either riding a bike or driving a vehicle. Some of these local leaders include Dean Murdock, Saanich Mayor; Kevin Murdock, Oak Bay Mayor; Jeremy Caradonna and Susan Kim, Victoria City Councillors; and Bailey Parker, Virgin Radio morning show host.
Following last year’s car versus bike duel of commutes, Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said, “This is a fantastic morning and I had the honour of racing my MLA, Grace Lore, from her home in Fernwood.”
“I of course went in that gas-guzzling vehicle which is a bit embarrassing but there you go, and of course Grace beat me, naturally, which is the whole point of this today,” Alto continued.
She added that the Commuter Challenge event, and the fact that Lore won, is just another example of why cycling in Victoria is “absolutely the way to go for the future.”
According to Health Canada, active transportation is important for all Canadians to engage in, as it gives us an opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis, it reduces road congestion, it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, if those reasons aren’t convincing enough, it will at least save money on gas and parking.
