2021 Autumnal Reflections

Seven members of the Island Pathways Bike Committee (Kipp, Michi, Bob, Jason, Simon, Carolyn, and Robin) met around the campfire on October 18th to reminisce about all the great events and projects associated with this year’s Fall GoByBikeBC Weeks (Sept 27-Oct 10, 2021). We depend upon these twice-per-year, autumn-and-spring milestones to give structure to our annual rhythm of bike advocacy on Salt Spring. The grant funding provided by GoByBikeBC via the Province and others, with associated deadlines, plus pre-formatted flyers & this web platform, definitely motivates action! Biannual frequency is just right to inspire and encourage us to organize activities at the schools, around the community, connect again with partners, and celebrate cycling on Salt Spring Island. Thank you Terri-Lynn Gifford and GoByBikeBC for making this happen, BC-wide!

In addition to excellent youth and school events described further down, three exciting new developments emerged this fall: T-shirts, Tuesday Markets, and Tools.

On two Tuesday Market afternoons, we set up the BIKE INFO stand in front of the Fire Hall, across from Centennial Park. Rain or shine, and in gale-force winds, Kipp and friends (Robin, Carolyn and Simon) gave away these beautifully, hand-silk-screened t-shirts (free/by-donation). Reflective swag and info about safe cycling was distributed (including copies of the new BC Cycling Coalition’s BikeSense handbook). Island Pathways memberships and the Salt Spring Island Cycling Map were available. Most people just wanted to talk.

This round of GoByBikeBC was mostly about the kids. Michi Main organized the most wonderful youth mountain biking skills workshops at the Lions Bike Park and at Maple Mountain with Next Level Riding, Ltd. (nextlevelriding.ca). Thanks, too, to Sean Mulligan at Outspokin Bikes for mechnical tune-ups at these workshops and to Country Grocer for tasty maple-sap fizzy drinks and snacks. Photos below:

And, three schools held awesome Bike-to-School Events!

At Salt Spring Elementary, Robin Jenkinson with help from parents Keely, Mick, Kirsten, and kids organized bike mechanic tune-ups with Simon Rompre, free reflective gear and safe-cyling info table, and a round-the-field bike track, based on these excellent designs by grades 3-4’s:

Centre School innovated with a bike-washing station, as well as a round-the-farm ride and mechanical tune-ups, organized by Kipp Nash and Jason Youmans.

First prize goes to Phoenix Elementary, which really rocked it, thanks to Natasha Kong and the PAC, with an amazing combination of free tune-ups from James Cowan and Simon Rompre, free snacks from SwitchBoard Cafe, an all-day Bike Skills workshop with Capital Bikes, and tasty pizza to top it off!

Upon reflection, we collectively wish for more jolly social rides this spring, bike skills events for grown-ups and at more schools, and perhaps the seasonal bike count sessions could overlap with GoByBikeBC info tables, for maximal effect. There’s also interest in erecting signage for an off-road bike race or rally around the Island this spring.

We are grateful to Fernwood Cafe for installing new pump and wrench (the tools) and donating coffee and breakfast sandwiches for North End cyclists, and to SSI Books for offering 10% off for bikers those weeks, and we hope to entice additional riders and local deals and prizes in the coming year. Plans are afoot for school bike fleets and active travel planning, plus supporting the Salish Sea Trail campaign and safer cycling around Salt Spring. Big thanks to Val Short at Island Pathways for handling the grant cheques, tracking and invoicing for all this!

We leave you with an inspirational quote:

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930), author of Sherlock Holmes