British Columbians are encouraged to get on a bike and go green May 30-June 5, for the 17th annual official Bike to Work Week - with events being held in 17 communities around the province.

The provincial government is committing $178,000 to Bike to Work BC to encourage commuters to cycle to work. This investment supports ongoing work to create new, safe and high-quality cycling trails, bike lanes, bike lockers and more, thanks to Bike BC, a provincial strategy to encourage people to ride bikes, rather than drive cars.

Bike to Work BC is a registered non-profit society that hosts the annual event around B.C. to encourage more people to use bikes as their primary transportation choice.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has committed over $133 million in cycling infrastructure, creating new bicycle lanes and trails in over 75 communities.
• This commitment includes $50 million in cycling infrastructure as part of the Gateway Program - the largest cycling investment in B.C.'s history.
• Last year, B.C. invested $14.2 million in cycling projects across the province.
• Under the provincial BikeBC program in 2010, the Province committed $3 million in cycling infrastructure through cost sharing programs with local governments.
• B.C. also cost-shared on 30 municipal road projects that include a cycling component such as bike lanes.
• The first Bike to Work Week was in 1995 in Victoria.

Learn More:

Find more information on Bike to Work BC at: www.biketowork.ca

Find more information on Bike BC at: www.th.gov.bc.ca/BikeBC

Watch the Bike to Work Week video (youtu.be)

Contact:

Jeff Knight
Communications Manager
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707