May 6/04 11:23 am - BC Ferries Launches Bike Rack Competition

Posted by Editoress on 05/6/04
 

British Columbia Ferries Launches Bike Rack Competition
Courtesy John Luton

BC Ferries is opening a design competition to equip their fleet with new racks to provide safe and efficient storage of bicycles for cyclists traveling between coastal communities it was announced today. The competition will be continue into July and is open to interested designers.

Partnering with Victoria's Capital Bike and Walk Society, Ferries will unveil winning designs at the Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference, to be held at the Victoria Conference Centre (September 7 - 10). The conference is organized by the National Center for Bicycling and Walking in Washington, DC.

Holiday packages provided by Ferries and bceh.com, a BC base tour packager will be awarded for racks designed for major vessels and the smaller ships serving the Gulf Islands. Second place winners in the two classes will also win one of two bikes courtesy of Norco Performance Bicycles, BC's leading manufacturer and distributor of bicycles for over 30 years.

80,000 bikes boarded BC Ferries in 2003 and traffic is increasing. Growing interest in recreational and fitness cycling, and the attractions of destination mountain biking and Island hopping road tours is attracting more cyclists to coastal British Columbia.

CBWS Executive Director John Luton and project coordinator Nitya Harris expressed excitement about the project.

"Cyclists want their bikes and gear to be secure on board", said Luton. "They also want an a system that gets them on and off the boat quickly and conveniently."

Ferries sees the competition as a means of welcoming cyclists on-board and signaling that they care about their customers needs. Larger groups often cause logistical problems, especially on smaller runs with multiple stops.

The partnership is also expected to generate new concepts for "bike and boat" sail pass packages that will attract cyclists with discounts for Island hopping tours. Luton also looks forward to promoting better designs and signage through terminals to help visiting cyclists find their way to nearby cycling routes and facilities.

As many as 700 delegates are expected to attend the Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference including engineers, planners, community leaders and from the health care community. Award winning designs will be introduced at a conference plenary. The many professionals in attendance will have an opportunity to comment on proposals. The profile will also signal to visiting delegates that the welcome mat for cyclists has been rolled out across coastal British Columbia.

For more information on the competition, visit www.bcferries.com

For information on Capital Bike and Walk and links to conference sites: www.capitalbikeandwalk.org