The City of Burnaby is stepping on the cycling-promotion pedal in support of upcoming bike events and courses.
Council approved a $9,200 expenditure to help fund Bike to Work Week, Bike to School Week, a bike map and Streetwise Cycling courses.
"On an annual basis, the (transportation) committee considers funding a number of programs and events to promote cycling as an alternative mode of transportation," Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, stated in the report to council. "The city has promoted cycling through its own efforts, and by supporting the work of others."
Last year, the city approved $9,000 toward the same programs.
This year's funding will be broken down as follows: the bike map will receive $2,400, the cycling courses will have $1,800, Bike to Work Week will get $3,500 and Bike to School Week will get $1,500.
The bike map is distributed to the public for free and can be picked up at any city community or recreation centre, library, tourist centre, city hall or at Metropolis at Metrotown. It is also available on the city's website at www.burnaby.ca.
HUB, formerly known as the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, is expected to continue its Bike to Work Week program, which includes week-long events in the spring and fall, according to the staff report.
This year, HUB is proposing four commuter stations in the city (two in June and two in November).
The Bike to School Week program offers courses, presentations and celebrations tailored to the needs of each school and runs at the same time as Bike to Work Week, according to the report.
Since it started in 2010, more than 5,100 students, staff and parents in more than 40 schools (in eight school districts across the Lower Mainland) have participated in the program.
In Burnaby, HUB is proposing eight student training and two celebration events at the elementary and secondary school levels.
HUB is expected to provide follow-up reports and surveys after the events, the reports states.
The on-going Streetwise Cycling courses provide no-cost training for would-be cyclists on safety. Two courses are being proposed for Burnaby.
"Both the internal and external promotion programs contribute to the broader community and individual benefits, such as improved fitness, less pollution and reduced greenhouse gas emissions as the proportion of trips made by cycling increases," Pelletier states in the report.
The city is funding the project through its boards, committees and commissions budget.
For more information on the events or courses visit HUB's website at bikehub.ca.
