Bike to Work/School Week May 27 - June 3, 2019 was a huge success! This is due the hardworking and caring parents and staff of every school in our Valley with the support of the RCMP and BC Parks. The age range was from four to the golden years (nuff said!)
All adult and youth were eligible to enter the grand prize of a cycle trip to Italy on line at www.biketowork.ca if they recorded only one trip during the week. Statistics will soon be available to see the environmental impact of over 50,000 cyclists province-wide.
The many activities began with the Tour de Bella Coola on a stunning day in early May with 52 riders (34 adults, 18 children). BC Parks staff drove the upper valley as support for this spectacular ride from Fisheries Pool to the foot of the Hill/return (38km) or continuing past Burnt Bridge and back for 66 km. The delicious BBQ was sponsored by Bella Coola Helisports with prize draw donations beautiful earrings, made from recycled inner tubes crafted by BellaCycle.
School Activities began with the annual bike rodeo lead by RCMP cyclists at BCE with all 86 students and 11 day care participating. Acwsalcta School met at Qwasmals on the townsite and an average of 10 riders rode to school returning at the end of the day. Shylii Walkus and Christian Mack participated every day and rode 42 km.
Seventh Day Adventist School enjoyed a ride to Walker Island and a picnic lunch, taking advantage of the gorgeous weather all week.Bella Coola Elementary cyclists met at House of Comfort and rode to school and back. Approximately 20 cyclists were supported by the flashing lights of the BC Parks truck, lead by RCMP officer Scott MacDonald.
Nusatsum School Wildcats covered 492.4 Km. Youth left their bikes at school; staff took them to the Klonick bridge every morning so that 15 youth and six staff could ride to school. Sir Alexander Mackenzie Senior Secondary School students rode long distances to school and back. The Daily Participation Award was achieved by Dylan Desaulniers and Ashton Gunderson who won the Youth Team prize.
The Family Distance and Participation Award goes to the Boileau Family covered 329km. Morgan and Eric -100Km.; Alex 40; Ryan-28 and Kerry 61. Way to go!
The Adult Team clocked 499km with participants Lyle Enderud, Jake Currie, Catherine Carter (146km), Mary Tutt, Monica Tutt and Janice Kyle. Hopefully we will have more teams next year! All activities were sponsored by a “Gobybike” grant of $500 written by Active Communities Bella Coola Coordinator, Janice Kyle.
“This has been the best cycling celebration ever,” said Kyle. “Thank you to all drivers on the road who kept a watchful eye for cyclists. Keep up the healthy lifestyle!”