Bike to Work

Bike to Work Week Program Inception

Bike to Work Week (BTWW) began in Greater Victoria in 1995 with a core group of commuter cyclists committed to raising the profile of commuter cycling.  The event counted approximately 500 participants.

In 2009  22,358 cyclists participated in Bike to Work Week in 15  communities throughout B.C.This was an increase of 15 % from 2008, and 29% were new riders.The Bike to Work Week program can be shared with and implemented relatively easily with other communities.  This has been consistently demonstrated throughout B.C., which now boasts more than 10 communities organizing BTWW events.

Progam Expansion in BC-creation of Bike to Work BC Society

In 2008 a provincial coordinating body, Bike to Work  BC was formed as a Society. Bike to Work Victoria was the driving force behind this new direction, some background includes:In 2005, Bike to Work Victoria launched a Province-wide pilot project intended to test the feasibility of BTWW in other locales.  Residents throughout B.C. were invited to register and participate and several communities organized a Bike to Work Week event.  1,164 cyclists including 120 teams and 162 new cyclists from 18 communities registered & participated

• 2006, the program was evaluated.  Participation province-wide was minimal, but interest was wide-spread.
• 2007, BTWW was held in Greater Victoria, Abbotsford/Fraser Valley & Metro Vancouver.  It also included some participation from other parts of BC.  Total 11,250 total cyclists & 2,612 new riders.
• 2008 - Eight communities have hosted the Bike to Work Week Workshop.  Ten communities are organizing recurring, successful BTWW events.  Total numbers = 14,887 cyclists, including 3,515 new riders (23% of total participants).
• 2008 A separate provincial body Bike to Work BC was created to coordinate activities through the province. With the generous support of the Government of BC, Bike to Work BC was able to provide grants to communities throughout the province, allowing for the expansion of the bike to work week activities and participation.
• 2009 Fifteen commmunities held Bike to Work Week events, 22,358 riders participated, an increase of nearly 15%, with 29% being new riders.

Program Elements

Why Bike to Work Week Works - Development of its Key Focuses

Following implementation in 1995, the Bike to Work Week event continued to gain momentum and new focuses emerged.  The most critical of these include:Developing a tightly themed campaign focusing on Commuter Cycling Only

• Stripping out parallel events i.e. mass rides, bike rallys
• Expanding visibility of the campaign.
• Establishing a stand-alone week for commuter cycling;
• Simplifying team formation in workplaces to reduce the work for team leaders, to enable smaller teams and encourage more rivalry;
• Encouraging workplaces to challenge each other
• To focus on fun, health and wellness over saving money or an environmental focus.  People are encouraged to undertake an activity that is good for the environment because it is fun and feels good!

Guiding principles based on direct experiential outcomes

• Accentuating the positive in all messaging;
• Personalizing benefits to increase take-up (i.e. fun & health);
• Reminding people early and often (launch event, countdown);
• Adding celebratory elements into the mix without going off-message or off-theme, to generate a higher profile and greater excitement;
• Participation triggers change;
• Change is a journey rather than an event; and
• The number of first-time cyclists is a key measure of success.

The key to our success has relied on the following methodology:

• Mobilizing the early adopters (those already commuting by bike) as opinion leaders in the workplace;
• Tapping into local peer networks to grow participation by first-timers; 
• Relating to employers as champions (and funders);
• Focussing on making the week memorable (fun, rewarding); 
• Ensuring we refresh the experience every year; and
• Adding events (Bike to Work Day) that people can aim for to continue cycling - increasing the likelihood of their adopting commuter cycling as a lifestyle activity