The City of Burnaby is wearing the yellow jacket of cycling victory this week, as it celebrates winning an award for its “bold step” in improving its active transportation network.
Cycling advocacy group Hub Cycling awarded Burnaby with the “Biggest Leap” award on Feb. 23.
Hub presents the award to an organization “which shows the greatest step forward to get more people cycling through policy and infrastructure changes,” according to B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming who presented the award in a recorded video.
Fleming praised the city for its transportation plan, adopted in 2021, which he called a “bold step towards sustainable and active modes of transportation.”
Mayor Mike Hurley said in the acceptance video it is the city’s goal to make it easy for anyone from beginners to experienced cyclists to get on a bike and explore Burnaby.
At a council meeting on Feb. 27, Hurley thanked Hub for recognizing Burnaby’s efforts to improve cycling infrastructure across Burnaby and added, “Some would argue they never thought that would happen – but it is happening.”
“We know there’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re going to reach even further in the next few years as we continue to build a central infrastructure all across Burnaby,” Hurley said.
Hub also presented a Hub Bike Award for School Cycling Advocates to staff members at École Moscrop Secondary.
“The team … has shown their commitment year over year to promoting cycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation,” growing the school’s Go By Bike Week cycling team to more than 100 members including teachers, education assistants and administrators, according to Burnaby board of education chair Bill Brassington, who presented the award.
“This is one shining example of many from across the Burnaby school district of individuals working together for the strength and wellbeing of people and the planet,” Brassington said.
SFU also picked up Hub Cycling’s Go by Bike Week Appreciation Award for its “unwavering commitment to promoting cycling and active transportation on their campuses.”
