For Immediate Release: Vancouver's Largest On-Street Bike Ride This Saturday
September 7, 2018
Vancouver's Largest On-Street Bike Ride This Saturday
More than 5000 People Expected for BC's only Open Streets Night Ride
Vancouver, BC / July 30, 2018 - HUB Cycling is organizing BC's only fully permitted, open streets night ride again on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Bike the Night, Presented by MEC, will be an unforgettable experience.
"The combination of music, costumes, bikes, glowing lights, and thousands of other people creates a very unique community experience," says adds Wilkins. "Many cities have been hosting mass bike ride events like this for decades because they're a lot of fun - and because they encourage people to get their bikes out of the garage." Bike the Night is modelled after Montreal's hugely popular 'Tour La Nuit', which is organized by Vélo Québec and after two decades now gets over 15,000 participants each year. HUB Cycling surveys show that people who participate in Bike the Night end up using their bikes more frequently after the event.
HUB Cycling expects that more than 5000 people, including over 500 children, will participate in the third-annual event. "Bike the Night was one of the best experiences we have shared together as a family," said one 2017 Bike the Night participant.
Bike the Night will kick off on September 15th at 6pm with a pre-party featuring free snacks, bike repairs and giveaways for registered participants. The easy 10 kilometre route will start at Concord Pacific Place (corner of Carrall St. and Pacific) and wind through some of Vancouver's most iconic streets including a car-free Burrard Bridge. Thousands of people of all ages and abilities are expected to sign up for the ride and are encouraged to decorate their bikes with lights and come in costume.
Bike the Night Promotional Videos
While the ride is mostly getting people on bikes, building community and helping Vancouver become an even "more fun city", it also helps to improve safety. In 2017 thousands of free lights were also given away to participants to encourage safe riding after the event. Based on the findings from our surveys, 70% of participants reported that they use lights while riding at night, a 10% increase from before the ride.
Registration is now $20 until September 14th and includes access to the ride, one entry to win a grand prize from MEC and other great prizes, and an admission to the kick-off party with live music, free bike tune-ups and decorating, relay races, free snacks, giveaways and entertainment. Youth 16 and under are free. Bike the Night is Presented by MEC.
Vehicle Road Closure Information:
Roads will be closed to cars during the following times (see detour map above for detour information). Residents are encouraged to cheer on the ride participants. Any residents affected by the closures area also eligible for two free tickets by emailing events@bikehub.ca.
Pacific Blvd (Griffiths Way to Quebec Ave) – 7:15pm – 8:30pm
Quebec St (E1st Ave St to Keefer St) – 7:15pm – 8:30pm (Resident access maintained via controlled crossing on Manitoba St)
W1st Ave (Quebec St to Cambie Bridge) – 7:15pm – 8:45pm (Westbound Lanes Only – access to Athlete Village maintained via Manitoba St)
W6th Ave (Ash St. to Alder Crossing) – 7:30pm – 9:00pm (Westbound Lanes Only – Resident Access Maintained via Moberley Rd crossing)
Lamey’s Mill Rd (Alder Crossing to Anderson St) 7:45pm – 9:30pm
W2nd Ave (Anderson St to Cypress St) – 7:45pm – 9:30pm (Granville Island Access Maintained with Anderson Crossing and Resident access Maintained via Fir St Crossing)
W1st Ave (Maple St to Cypress St) – 7:45pm – 9:30pm
York Ave (Arbutus St to Chestnut St) – 7:45pm – 9:30pm
Maple St (Cornwall Ave to W1st Ave) – 7:45pm – 9:30pm
Cornwall Ave (Burrard St to Arbutus St) – 7:45pm – 9:30pm
Burrard Bridge – 7:15pm – 9:30pm
Pacific Blvd (Nelson St to Burrard St) – 7:45pm – 9:30pm (Resident access maintained via controlled crossing on Davie St and Beach Ave)
Available Photos and Resources:
Photos from Bike the Night 2017 for media use can be downloaded from here. Photo credit in file name. Higher resolution photos available upon request. Email Tracy@bikehub.ca.
Bike the Night Promotional Videos
A few selected tweets from last year's event:
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About HUB Cycling:
HUB Cycling is a charitable non¬profit that has spent two decades removing barriers to cycling in Metro Vancouver, while cultivating the health, environmental, and economic benefits that active transportation can bring. HUB Cycling has educated thousands of people, motivated thousands more, and championed improvements that benefit current and future cyclists. HUB Cycling’s mission is to get more people cycling more often. For more information, visit bikehub.ca.
Media Contacts:
Tracy Wilkins
Special Events Manager
Cell: 778-955-9701
Office: 604-558-2002
Tracy@bikehub.ca
Laura Jane
Director of Corporate Engagement and Events
Cell: 604-362-2098
Laura@bikehub.ca