Fernie cyclists who hit the streets for Go By Bike Week from June 3 to 9, will have the opportunity to take part in community events and win a variety of prizes.
The tri-annual province-wide event encourages communities to cut emissions and air pollution by using bikes to get around town. 109 Fernie riders and 23 teams saved 641 kg of greenhouse gasses on the bike week last fall, according to Go By Bike B.C Society.
The week opens with a Queers on Gears social ride on June 3 with Fernie Pride Society. Bikers will meet at the Aquatic Centre prior to departure at 6:30 p.m.
Ridgeline Physio is hosting a cycling and concussion workshop at the ski base on June 4 at 5:30 p.m. Topics of discussion include bike safety, helmets, and new biking technology.
There will be a bike decorating event and bike maintenance workshop on June 5 outside Fernie Heritage Library. Riders can dress up their bikes from 3 to 5 p.m., and learn the ins and outs of routine upkeep from 6 to 7 p.m.
Riders are welcome to stop by Snow Valley Lodging Stoke Station on June 7 from 7 to 9 a.m. to fuel up with coffee before they head to work.
Fernie Museum is hosting a Ride Into History tour on June 8 at 11 a.m. Lindsay Vallance will lead a group around town by bicycle and share the city’s colourful past.
Cycling Without Age is leading an all abilities social ride on June 9, departing from the Aquatic Centre at 10 a.m.
Riders can log into or create a free account on www.gobybikebc.ca and record their daily kilometers to be entered to win local and province-wide prizes. GearHub Sports will be offering prizes to the top three riders who have the most kilometers logged that week, and there will be additional offerings from Fernie Brewing Company and Snow Valley Lodging.
Participants who record at least one bike ride during the week, are entered to win a variety of prizes including a Pedal-Mate battery bag for electric bicycles, a Cargo e-bike, and a cycling adventure in Italy.
Those who record at least one ride, and enter a testimonial and complete an entry form will be entered to win a Straplok bike lock.
Students returning from school who stop by Straight Line Bicycles with their helmet on, can enter to win a prize.
Cyclists can head to Mugshots to win a meal and drinks for two, and 2nd Edition Coworking for the first time to get 50 per cent off a desk for the day.
The library’s book and bike challenge runs continuously throughout the week. Riders must check out a book and ride to three locations around town to take a picture with it — the duck pond, Maiden Lake and Annex Park amphitheatre. They can submit the pictures by posting them online with the hashtag #gobybikeweekbc or by bringing it into the library. There will be two bike baskets filled with goodies and books that participants can win, one for juniors 12 and under, and the other ages 13 and up.