Sept 29 - 30 years by bike

Good morning !

With crisp air but still some sun and warmth, it's one of the best times to bike around Greater Victoria. It's fitting then that this is one of the times chosen for GoByBike Week, which just expanded to three events this year.

More on that, and other weekend news, below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 17 / 6

Tomorrow: ⛅ 16 / 7

Tuesday: 🌧 17 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

GoByBike Week celebrates 30 years—for the 3rd time this year

Much like the fall season, GoByBike Week (GBBW) is in full swing. The initiative encouraging commuters to ride to work and school kicked off on Mon. and will run until Oct. 6—making it more of a GoByBike fortnight than a single week.

GBBW began in Greater Victoria 30 years ago, with the aim to get the city’s government employees to cycle to work. Thousands are drawn to the initiative each year, riding to work during GBBW throughout the CRD. Earlier this year, the initiative was celebrated for the first time in winter—proving Victoria is a year-round cycling city, and making the current event an unprecedented third GBBW in a single year. 

Prizes

Riding your bike comes with multiple perks, exercise and planet-friendly transportation being two dominant reasons to hop on a two-wheeler. But during GBBW, you’ll also have a chance to win prizes—each ride could get you closer to taking home the grand prize, a brand new bike worth $1K. Other prizes include whale watching passes, tickets to the ballet, and drop-in passes for local recreation centres. You can register with GBBW to log your rides—you can sign up for solo rides or gather some friends to create a team.

Celebration stations

Capital Bikes will have a station set up at various locations (check the schedule here) for anyone on a bike, skateboard, or scooter to enjoy a free hot drink and snack, get their bike maintenanced, or simply to chat with fellow cyclists.   

Active transportation in Victoria

It’s not especially hard to get Victorians out on their bikes—commuters in the capital are more likely to walk or bike than those in any other metropolitan Canadian city, with 18.7% opting for active transportation to get to work. Last year, the province committed $10M to improving active transportation infrastructure on the Island. This includes UVic’s planned expansion of its cycling plan, Saanich’s stretch of protected bike lanes along Shelbourne, currently in Phase 3 of construction, and Victoria’s updated cycling network on Fort, completed earlier this year.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Winds up to 40km/h today (60 near Juan de Fuca Strait).

Sun & warmth later this week, after rain on Tuesday.

Royals win 5-4 in Kamloops.

Rebels blown out 11-43 at home by up-Island rival Raiders.

BC Law Enforcement Memorial Parade today: Expect traffic delays on Government to the Legislature via Superior and Menzies, 12-3pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

7 local food delivery and meal prep services

It’s the first long weekend since the school year began, giving plenty of parents a chance to take a breath and take stock of their newly busy schedule. It isn’t just parents, of course—all kinds of people are feeling the pressure of shorter days, busy work schedules, and in some cases family commitments coming up in a couple of weeks.

For many locals that means time to shop and cook is going by the wayside. So it’s not surprising that there are also plenty of local services promising to take some work off of your plate—and put some food onto it. 

From ready-made vegan meals to pureed baby food to packages of healthy ingredients to pre-planned school lunches, here are some of Greater Victoria’s top meal kit and food delivery services.

Read the list at Tasting Victoria.

NEWS

One dead, one arrested after “tragic situation” sparks lockdown alert at Ditidaht First Nation

On Sat. morning the nation asked members to stay indoors, close windows, and stay off the main field to allow helicopters to land. An afternoon update said the situation was “under control” but that RCMP would be around for a few more days. Nitinaht lands are located between Lake Cowichan and the Pacific, along the Island's west coast between Port Renfrew and Banfield.

Chief Councillor Judi Thomas wrote that various supports, and several days of community hall dinners, would be available. She said no names would be released yet out of consideration to the families involved. A suspicious death investigation is underway; Lake Cowichan RCMP believe this was an isolated incident.

SPONSORED BY WESTHILLS

Condos made for active living

Experience active living at Solaris, Langford’s newest residential community. Nestled in the heart of Westhills, Solaris offers stunning, modern homes with high-end finishes and sweeping views of Glen Lake and surrounding nature.

Each home is thoughtfully designed with open layouts, high-quality appliances, and EV-ready parking. Options include one- and two-bedroom units, some with dens, tailored for comfort and convenience.

Solaris residents enjoy exclusive amenities, including outdoor social spaces, fire pits, fitness areas, and a pet wash station. Starting at $399,900, this vibrant community is perfect for an active lifestyle. Connect with a Solaris sales representative!

⭐️ Capital Picks

💕 "I saw this incredible play yesterday. It was brilliant & beautiful." From Alaska continues to October 13 with pay-what-you-want tickets available for all performances.*

🐸 Invasive but cute: American bullfrogs emerging from the pond in Nanaimo. [VanIsleWildlife]

🍷 Victoria's wine festival returns in just 5 days! Get ready to explore the world of wine with us. Click here for tickets.*

🐐 Beacon Hill’s oldest-ever goat, Peggy (1999-2017), would have been 25 last week. 

beaconhillchildrensfarm

View more on Instagram

💻 Early-stage ocean tech entrepreneurs, apply now for COAST Pitchfest on October 16! Compete for $10,000, a COAST membership, and investor connections. Showcase your innovation!*

🤝 Now hiring: Digital innovation manager at Dogwood.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

UVic to Swartz Bay bus routes will return in Jan. 2025
The Friday and Sunday bus routes were cut early in the pandemic, but as of next Jan. will resume serving the 4,000+ UVic students hailing from the Lower Mainland. [Martlet]

Parents call for safety measures at Central Saanich intersection
Last week residents told council that cars often don't stop at Mount Newton Cross and Central Saanich Road. They want a crosswalk, lighting, and a 30km/h speed limit. Staff said pedestrian-activated lights will come within 6 months. [Peninsula News Review]

We saw you watching dirty movies and we know where you live, say scammers
Per Saanich Police, a new extortion attempt involves emailing victims to claim that viewing adult sites has given them malware. That malware has given access to compromising photos or videos of you that will be released if you don't send Bitcoin, the emailer claims, sending a Google Maps photo of your house. Police said that none of the targets engaged these scammers—and that neither should you. [More info]

New Covid variant XEC may be more contagious 
The Omicron “grandchild” has been spreading in Europe, and some projections have it becoming the main strain in the US and Canada later this fall. But it appears that it’s no more severe than existing subvariants, and that current vaccines are just as effective against it. [New Scientist]

🗓️ Things to do

🍏 Apple Pressing Day: Junction Orchard & Cidery. Celebrate fall and apple season by pressing the community apples. Enjoy an Autumn Scavenger hunt, photo booth, and seasonal pizza. 12-6pm. [Info]

🎹 Mozart’s Prague Symphony: The Victoria Symphony will perform works by Mozart, with Christian Kluxen conducting. The Farquhar at UVic. 2:30pm. [Info]

🚜 114th Luxton Fall Fair: Fri.-Sun. Free admission to see the museum, farm equipment, model trains, chickens, midway, and competitions like best pumpkin and kids’ veggie art. [Info]

🎸Fleetwood Magic: Rumours have it this Fleetwood Mac tribute band will transport you in sound and time as you experience the band’s biggest hits. Charlie White Theatre in Sidney. 2pm. [Info]

☑️ All-candidates meeting on business: [Tuesday Oct. 1, 6:30-9pm]

🎭 Canadian College of Performing Arts: 2024/25 season includes Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. But first, Ten Lost Years, depicting working-class Canadians during the Great Depression, opens the season. Get tickets through Oct. 20. [Info] 

🧡 South Island Powwow: Immerse yourself in local Indigenous culture with this powwow in honour of residential school survivors. Wear orange to acknowledge Truth and Reconciliation Day. Royal Athletic Park. Mon. Gates 10am; Grand entry 12pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

How small is too small? Vic council debates setting minimum size for apartments. [Capital Daily]

Sat. news: Truth & Reconciliation weekend events. Sooke water problems. UVic evac. [Sept. 28]

UVic sports rankings: 3rd in Canada for women's rugby, 7th for cross country, 8th for men's soccer.

Friday news: Stolen signs. Councillor in blackface. Construction workers killed. Special baseball logo. [Sept. 27]