5th annual event has the largest number of cyclists participating to date
WINNIPEG - There will be an increased number of cyclists on the streets tomorrow, as Winnipeggers participate in the 5th Annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg. Nearly 3000 people have registered to ride on Friday, June 22.
This 5th annual event, a partnership between the City of Winnipeg, Bike to the Future, Climate Change Connection, Health in Common, Green Action Centre, UWSA Bike Hub and Manitoba Cycling Association, will be the largest to date. Bike to Work Day promotes the environmental, health, and economic benefits of cycling by encouraging Winnipeggers to cycle to work or to school.
Along their way to work, cyclists can stop at one of 38 'Bike Pit Stops' located across the city for free coffee, snacks and prizes from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. A group ride will begin from the Assiniboine Park footbridge (south side) at 7:00 a.m. and will end at the Forks at 8:15 a.m.
To cap off the day all registered riders are invited to a barbeque at the Forks, where there will be free food and beverages for the first 300 guests, as well as live music by local bands Flat City Folk and Mogley and the Woodland Creature. The party starts at 3:30 p.m. and a free bike valet service is offered to all cyclists.
A prize draw for a new Schwinn bike, bike trailers, bike gear, passes to Fort Whyte Alive! and a weekend getaway at Falcon Trails Resort are just a few of the benefits of registering. This year Manitoba Public Insurance is also donating $0.50 per registered rider to the Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (The W.R.E.N.C.H.).
The Winnipeg Police Service would like emphasize the importance of safely sharing the road, and to remind motorists to be courteous. Cyclists should be reminded that they must obey all traffic control devices and if their rear tire has a greater diameter than 410 mm they are not allowed to operate on sidewalks.
There is still time to register either on line or at a pit stop in the morning. For more information please visit www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org or call Andraea Sartison, Event Coordinator, at 204-333-2666.