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- June 1 - Bike week rides again
June 1 - Bike week rides again
10 new places to eat. Week's top stories. Min. wage bump. Free bus rides.
Capital Daily Team
June 01, 2025
Good morning !
After some cloud and rain in the region yesterday, June begins just as you'd expect a June to begin: 20 degrees, sun and some occasional cloud. It's perfect weather to head down to the water or head out on a bike—so it's fitting that this week's ongoing festivals are Ocean Week, which we featured on Friday, and Go By Bike Week, which we cover below.
— Cam
Today’s approx. read time: 4 / 8 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
Today: ☀️ 18 / 8
Tomorrow: ☀️ 19 / 8
Tuesday: ☀️ 21 / 10
NEWS
Go By Bike Week returns for 31st year
Photo: Capital Bike website
GBBW began in Greater Victoria 31 years ago as “Bike to Work Week,” with the aim of getting local to government employees to cycle to work. Last year, for the 30th anniversary, it expanded to thrice a year. This year’s first week ran Feb. 8-14, and this current spring edition kicked off yesterday with 5 group celebration rides across the CRD.
About 19% of Greater Victoria commuters already walk or bike to work—more than in any other Canadian metro area.
But that’s still in the minority of total local commuters, and GBBW’s aim is to get more people to try out (or get back into) cycling. Capital Bike, which organizes GBBW, is confident that prompting even a single ride is often enough to get someone to love and continue the habit.
“It’s not as far or hard as it may seem at first,” Capital Bike’s Adam Barish said, noting that most car trips in the CRD are under 5km and can be biked in about 15 minutes.
Celebration Stations (and prizes) all around the region
Riding your bike has its own rewards, of course, both for your body and for the environment. But during GBBW, you can also win prizes from a pool worth $10K (including new bikes, an e-bike, or a cycle trip through Vietnam) by logging your rides and visiting Celebration Stations.
At 14 locations around the region anyone on a bike, skateboard, scooter, or roller skates can enjoy prize draws; free bike maintenance (at some stations); and free coffee/lemonade, granola bars / Hornby bars, and fruit.
Some stations will also feature municipalities’ reps talking about the local bike network—e.g. Victoria staff at Centennial bike valet station tomorrow (4-6pm) and at 940 Blanshard on Wed. (8-10am).
City of Victoria bike valet service. Photo: Michael John Lo / Capital Daily
Today’s stations are both on the Lochside trail: at Mt. Newton Cross Rd., and at Switch Bridge where the Galloping Goose intersects.
Others this week are at UVic, Camosun, Saanich municipal hall, Archie Browning, the ministry of transportation, Atkins Park & Ride, and on Beacon Ave. to kick off Sidney’s first Thursday street market of the year.
There will also be other June cycling events after GBBW ends: Central Saanich is hosting an e-bike ride on June 14 and a nature ride on June 22. Langford will also launch its e-bike & e-scooter rental program this month.
Latest Victoria cycling infrastructure upgrades
The city says it is wrapping up road upgrades, including bike lanes, on Blanshard and on Gorge, and is starting work on new Tolmie crosswalks and protected bike lanes that connect to the Galloping Goose. Victoria also hosts info sessions this week (online and at Vic West Fest) on road and cycling upgrades in Vic West on Pine, Hereward, & Dominion roads.
Last year Victoria proclaimed itself the cycling capital of Canada, and the city tallied the fewest bike thefts since 2011.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
A mostly sunny week ahead, with some cloud toward weekend.
BC minimum wage rises to $17.85 today.
Free bus rides for bike riders this week, if you show your bike or helmet.
HarbourCats 9 Falcons 5: Victoria wins weekend baseball series in Kelowna.
