The bumper-to-bumper traffic on Esquimalt Road from Admirals to Lampson said it all.
It explained why Celebration Stations like one at Esquimalt’s Memorial Park have become so popular.
Several motorists glanced with apparent envy at cyclists of all shapes, ages and sizes who, after breezing by the gridlock during the afternoon rush hour, wheeled into the Celebration Stations, one of 17 set up last week during Bike to Work Week.
Eunice Martel, 30, dressed for visibility in her hot-pink fleece top, was among 7,000 cyclists who participated in the 19th annual event. She biked into the picturesque park on her sleek blue DaVinci tandem bike with two pint-sized passengers — her daughter Nae-J, 2, in a custom seat attached to the handlebars, and son Elijah, 4, on the back seat.
After the mother of two arrived, Nae-J remained blissfully asleep while Elijah played at the park.
“The weather’s nice and I didn’t want to be in my car. I wanted to be outdoors and I thought this would be a good way to do it,” Martel said. “I wanted to ride with them and get places faster.”
Cyclists had lots to choose from, including offers of Island Farms chocolate milk and yogourt, organic SPUD apples and baked goods. Mountain Equipment Co-Op mechanics were also on hand to dispense helpful tips and basic preventive maintenance.
“People who commute regularly can deal with [gears that aren’t shifting properly] and things like that pretty quickly,” said MEC mechanic Ben Moore, who passed out tiny sample packs of lubricant when he wasn’t filling tires and doing status checks.
Marsha Petty-Johnson, Bike to Work skills course co-ordinator, said numbers have been up over last year despite poorer weather. She said it’s likely attributable to more promotion via social media and awareness of next year’s 20th anniversary.
While other volunteers passed out free pants fasteners and Tire Stewardship B.C. gauges, Petty-Johnson also elaborated on the peripheral benefits of cycling apart from the obvious economic, environmental and practical transportation advantages.
“If you’re an average cyclist, you’d burn off at least 300 to 400 calories in an hour,” she said. “I know people who’ve lost 20 pounds just cycling back and forth to work every day. It gets your system going, and you tend to eat less when you exercise.”
Township of Esquimalt sustainability co-ordinator Marlene Lagoa answered questions about a new Esquimalt riders’ map being developed with the CRD in collaboration with students who have taken an inventory of the region’s overall bike infrastructure.
“We decided to work together instead of separately,” she said, noting the township is the guinea pig for an expanded regional map.
Meanwhile, VicPD volunteers Jordan Campbell and Maryellen Trudeau offered tips on bicycle protection.
“They do work,” said Trudeau, handing out Bait Bike stickers to put on bikes with engraved licence numbers.
“Someone who parked in a parkade had their bike stolen, and they caught the person because of this.”
Campbell, an aspiring police officer, said he’s often asked about which bicycle locks are most effective.
“A lot of people use standard padlocks and they’re so easy to cut. The thick U-locks are the best ones to use.”
