EXTENDED CYCLE
Bike to work week begins
Saskatoon’s annual Bike to Work Day is stretching out to an entire work week this year.
Organizer Meaghan Hackinen, who was in charge of events last year, said she saw the potential to expand beyond a single day.
“What if the weather is bad on Bike to Work Day and no one rides? It’s putting a lot on the line for a single day,” she explained.
Hackinen comes from Vancouver, where there is also a Bike to Work Week, so she thought it was worth a try in Saskatoon.
Bike to Work YXE kicks off Monday morning with two commuter stations offering riders refreshments from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by two major events later that day.
At noon, cyclists are invited to join medical student Brendan Groat on the first leg of his journey to northern communities. From now until the end of June, Groat will cycle through Ile-a-la-Crosse, Dillon, Buffalo Narrows, La Loche, Beauval, and Patuanak. In each community he’ll host games, bike tune-ups, health and safety training, and a workshop on basic bike mechanics.
He’ll depart from the Health Sciences building at the University of Saskatchewan. Cyclists can accompany him to Wanuskewin Heritage Park, or as far beyond that as they choose.
Monday evening the Bridge City Bicycle Co-op is hosting a barbecue, serving up burgers and a tour of the shop.
Bike to Work Day is still a major focus, Hackinen said. It takes place Wednesday, when there will be 19 commuter stations.
But there will be two stations open all the rest of the week. Other highlights include:
An evening commuter station, ■
Wednesday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring free beer tasters and minor bike tune-ups and adjustments.
Yoga for Biking, offered by JNS ■
Yoga Studio, Tuesday 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (free if you ride your bike there).
Bike Polo Thursday 6 p.m. to 9 ■ p.m. This year participants can also try it for themselves.
Bike Rave Friday 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ■
In her two and a half years living in Saskatoon, Hackinen has had a chance to get the lay of the cycling land.
The addition of bike lanes on 4th Avenue drew more attention to cycling, she noted.
Last year’s Bike to Work Day saw a growth in participation over the year before, she added. And, she has seen demand for bikes grow at the Bridge City Bike Co-op. Last spring, she saw entire families of Syrian refugees coming in.
Hackinen said bike commuting can be tougher in Vancouver, where there are hills and longer distances. It took her 45 minutes to get from home to the university.
By contrast, Saskatoon is flatter and smaller.
And while winter cycling is not for everyone, it’s still possible to cycle eight months of the year without discomfort, she said.