Mobi by Shaw Go takes first place in HUB Cycling's Bike to Shop Challenge and Other Bike to Shop Highlights

This summer, HUB challenged residents of Metro Vancouver to try shopping by bike! When we asked the big question, “What was stopping you from shopping by bike in the first place?” the answers were pretty consistent. Many of you were unsure about safe routes, concerned about carrying your shopping haul on a bike, and worried about bike theft, not to mention the ever-elusive problem of finding a secure bike parking spot. Sounds familiar, right?


So, to give you everything you need to take the Bike to Shop Challenge head-on, we created a series of interactive "Bike to Shop" maps. These maps were a hit, receiving over 14,000 views in the month of August alone! They were your virtual guides to the best bike routes, local businesses, and safe spots to park your ride in various Metro Vancouver neighborhoods, including The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby, Austin Heights, Downtown New Westminster, Central Lonsdale, Steveston, Newton, Kerrisdale, and Downtown Vancouver.


We wanted to show you that shopping by bike is not only easier than you think but downright enjoyable. So, to kick off our #Bike2Shop Campaign, we challenged teams from TransLink, the Bike Walk and Roll team at The City of Vancouver, and Mobi by Shaw Go – to demonstrate their shopping prowess on two wheels.


These teams met up with our HUB Volunteers at three different checkpoints around the city. Armed with surplus stock from the Food Stash Foundation, they embarked on a grocery run that included everything from milk and eggs to fresh fruits, veggies, and even some bulky items like books and toys. Before navigating a short obstacle course, they ended the race by locking their bikes – showing you just how easy it can be to shop by bike! 


Global BC's traffic team even joined the fun, cheering on the teams and learning how biking to the shops can mean fewer cars on the road and more people wandering into stores. If you missed the story you can catch the action right here.

Three people from different teams prepare to put items in their bags at the Bike to Shop Challenge. An image of the Bike to Shop Challenge scoreboard against HUB Cycling's e-cargo bike. Mobi by Shaw Go just sneaking in first place with a 10:12 finish time! The City of Vancouver took second place with a 10:51 finish time, followed by TransLink finishing at 14:32.


But we didn't stop there. We set up Celebration Stations at two farmers' markets in Coquitlam and Steveston, where the HUB team and staff from the City of Coquitlam and the City of Richmond answered your questions about shopping by bike in the area and encouraged you to give it a try. 


We made quite a buzz on social media, with our social media scavenger hunt contest. We took to Facebook and Instagram to showcase the amenities in each neighborhood and hosted a scavenger hunt contest on Instagram that had over 70 participants out on their bikes, finding local landmarks around the city. The winners walked away with over $1,000 in gift cards for local businesses and attractions, including the popular summer event, Bard on the Beach.

So, there you have it – the month-long Bike to Shop Challenge may be over, but the good news is, those Bike to Shop maps will be available online all year round. We hope you've been inspired to hop on your bike to shop locally and explore the city!