Two Maple Ridge schools have earned kudos for various efforts to encourage more cycling.
HUB Cycling hosted its 12th annual Bike Awards on Saturday, March 8, celebrating the organizations and individuals who are making biking better across Metro Vancouver.
Cycling advocates, politicians, and regional and provincial decision-makers gathered at MEC Vancouver to celebrate those who made cycling safer and more accessible within Metro Vancouver during 2024.
And among those recognized were representatives from Yennadon and Eric Langton Elementaries.
Yennadon active school transport committee was given the HUB school cycling advocates award.
The school's parent advisory council (PAC) started a committee in 2021 striving to minimize traffic around the school and improve active school travel for their 700 students.
The efforts included new crossing infrastructure, reduced safety incidents, increased students' comfort in riding, and increased community participation at the school.
Their "Walk & Wheel" initiative, in particular, is a fun and interactive way for young people to engage in cycling through a series of eye-catching, safety-minded, and child-friendly videos and graphics, scavenger hunts, speed watch campaigns, and effective communications to families about the benefits of active transportation, with a focus on safety for all.
Having successfully cultivated curiosity and enthusiasm for cycling among students and parents, the PAC is now mentoring other parent groups and driving change across the school district, demonstrating the committee’s dedication to creating a lasting and far-reaching positive impact on transportation beyond their own school.
While accolades were given to Yennadon, Eric Langton Elementary received a bike to school week award as a first-time participant.
The French immersion elementary school had an 80 per cent participation rate, with 105 students logging 45 bike trips and 856 other active travel trips during bike to school week.
In preparation for the event, the PAC group worked with HUB Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows committee to host a bike repair workshop at the school and the division with the most participation won a pizza party to help ensure their success.
Other awards given out that night acknowledge efforts in areas such as inclusion, bike education and advocacy, infrastructure improvements, and bike-friendly building.
