Get out, have fun, and support active transportation during Spring GoByBike Week that is just around the corner.
Coming up May 31 to June 6, the annual spring event continues to offer opportunities to enjoy with fellow community cyclists and others who use active transportation as a healthy means to get around.
Active transportation includes all kinds of people-powered transportation, such as cycling, walking, skateboarding, roller skating, using a wheelchair and more – anything but a gas or diesel-powered mode of transportation. It keeps our bodies in shape while also helping to reduce emissions contributing to climate change and poor air quality.
In Williams Lake, about 192 people took part in last year’s event, collectively riding 3,998 km and saving 867 greenhouse gas emissions from being released.
In partnership with Scout Island Nature Centre’s Air Quality program and Streets for All Williams Lake, the local event is run by GoByBike BC, a non-profit organization that works with communities across the province to promote cycling and other forms of active transportation.
"One of the wonderful things about using active transportation is the social benefits it has for people in the community,” said Ruth Lloyd, one of the local GoByBike coordinators and member of Streets for All Williams Lake. “You wave, chat and feel connected to people you meet on the street – it really can bring a lot of joy."
"At any time, nearly one third of our population cannot drive, whether because of age, ability, affordability or just having their car in the shop. It's really important to show support for all forms of transportation in our community, and taking part in GoByBike is a fun way to do this – plus you can win a bicycle tour!"
The bicycle tour, provided by Exodus Travels, is awarded to one lucky participant. Details of that tour are yet to be announced.
At press time, coordinators and volunteers were still finalizing various community events to celebrate GoByBike Week while also securing sponsors for participant discounts and prizes.
Visit https://gobybikebc.ca/williams-lake/ for event and prize details and to register (free). Only those who register and also log their kilometres will be eligible for prizes.
This year’s event is timely, as the city of Williams Lake finalizes its Active Transportation Network Plan, jointly funded by the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program and the city.
Working with the Fraser Basin Council, Urban Systems and the Williams Lake Active Transportation Working Group, the city plan is to create a network that will make it easier and safer for people of all ages and abilities to get around by cycling, walking, or rolling.
Over the course of the planning process, a series of engagement sessions and survey opportunities took place that allowed community members to share their concerns, ideas, and input on routes and safety.
Jane Welburn, Fraser Basin Council regional manager for the Cariboo-Chilcotin, said the community responded positively to engagement efforts and the resulting plan will incorporate a large body of public feedback into its recommendations.
“Development of the Active Transportation Plan has been such a positive experience over the last several months – to better understand the challenges and barriers that people in our community face when considering walking, biking, or rolling, to hear specifically the ideas and areas where improvement is needed, and to feel the community’s excitement and enthusiasm for positive change and increased local opportunities for active transportation,” Welburn said.
Some examples of responses from the community included the desire for increased accessibility on sidewalks and trails, alternative routes from those that are steep, improved connectivity to different parts of the city, and walkability and safety improvements. Specific areas for safety improvements included the interface of Ministry highways with city streets (i.e. Highway 20); cyclists interacting with vehicle traffic; and intersections and crossings.
The city said the plan, to be adopted this spring, is aimed to enhance the community’s health, environment and quality of life, while improving safety between people’s destinations.
Once the plan is in place, the city will be able to access additional grant funding specific to active transportation infrastructure. The plan will be a guide for city staff as they consider capital projects, as grant funding becomes available, and as the community works to become a friendly place to choose active transportation as a means of getting around. Once finalized and endorsed, plan priorities and implementation will continue to be guided by the Williams Lake Active Transportation Working Group and by city staff and leadership.
For more information on the Active Transportation Network Plan and the results of the survey, visit the active transportation page on the city's website at: https://www.williamslake.ca/1025/Active-Transportation-in-Williams-Lake.
Erin Hitchcock is an Air Aware educator with Scout Island Nature Centre. Visit their website at: breatheasywilliamslake.org and follow them on Facebook at Air Aware Williams Lake. They gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of BC through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
