Bike to Work Week in B.C. begins on Monday and the Town of Qualicum Beach is one of more than 40 communities which will host events.
Luke Sales, the town's director of planning, is a year-round cycle commuter and, to help encourage people to get their bikes out, has teamed up with Outsider Adventures to organise a ride in the middle of the week.
"With more retired people living in this area, there are less opportunities for events around work commutes, but that means we can highlight all the other ways that cycling is relevant to our lives here," said Sales.
Michael Addiscott, of Outsider Adventures, is a former director of Bike Week in the UK, and has organized several cycling events, both here and abroad.
"The mix of quiet roads, well surfaced paths, mountain bike trails through beautiful forests and the proximity of so many communities and attractions makes this a great place to ride a bike" said Addiscott.
"Having a focal event in the middle of the week gives people the opportunity to get familiar with their bikes, then come out and enjoy the social aspect of cycling. The town is laying on refreshments, which always feel well earned after a ride."
The Town of Qualicum Beach Bike Week Ride will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 27, starting and finishing at the fountain outside town hall. It will cover a loop of less than 10 km and is open to all.
Sales said he is particularly keen to encourage young riders and families to join in.
"Cycling is one of the few activities that is fun for all ages, and offers a great way for people to get together," he said. "We hope people will use this opportunity to come out and enjoy a different perspective on the roads and trails around our town."
(Editor's note: Look for our pre-ride advice feature in Tuesday's edition of The NEWS.)
— NEWS Staff/Town of Qualicum Beach