Kelowna residents urged to tune up bikes for morning commute
Kelowna – Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran joined cyclists to tune up their bikes at Kelowna Cycle this morning before a quick commute to City Hall to help raise awareness of Bike to Work Week 2015 which runs in Kelowna May 25 to 31.
“Bringing your bike in for a tune-up is a great thing to do, you want to have confidence that its performing for you and it will make your experience in bike to work week more enjoyable,” said Pat Rosen, owner of Kelowna Cycle.
Rosen’s newest customer is Basran, who took his new bike for its first commute this morning.
“Riding your bike means we’re healthier, not only physically but also mentally,” said Basran, who is a strong advocate for an expanded bike network in the city.
“Traffic is one of the main concerns among our residents and more cyclists mean less cars on the road,” he said. “This year, the City is moving forward on the Ellis Street corridor as well as the off-road pathway that will be part of the new John Hindle Drive to UBCO.”
Bike to Work Week kicks off on Monday morning and residents can register as a team, a school, or as an individual on the city’s website at smarttrips.ca.
Riders can visit Kelowna Cycle and the crew three times during the week, Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Crews will help tune up your bike at Kelowna Cycle on Monday, May 25, from 7 to 9 a.m. and at The Hub on Sutherland Avenue on Wednesday, May 27 from 7 to 9 a.m.
Kelowna Cylce will be at the bike mechanic tent at the Celebration Station at the Urban Fare parking lot on Friday, May 29 from 6:30-8:45 a.m.
In 1993, Rosen started as a junior mechanic-in-training at Kelowna Cycle and dreamed of owning his own shop. In 2008, he bought the business, which has expanded to two locations, one in Pandosy and one on Sutherland Avenue. Kelowna Cycle serves a wide variety of customers including recreational and competitive riders as well as children and adults in need.
Kelowna Cycle kelownacycle.ca
Locally-owned and operated, Kelowna Cycle carries a range of road, mountain, BMX, cruisers, and comfort and hybrid cycles, along with biking accessories. In the winter months, the stores include Nordic equipment with the latest and most technology advanced cross-country ski equipment from Atomic, Oneway, Alpina and Peltonen. Kelowna Cycle is the oldest bike shop in Kelowna, originally built and opened in 1948.