Arts & Life

Bike Week Winnipeg back for another year

Bike Week Winnipeg kicks off its second annual week of festivities on June 13, 2015. Bike Week Winnipeg presents seven days of new and returning bike programming, including citywide pit stops to service a predicted 4000 riders participating in the eighth annual Bike to Work Day on Friday, June 19.

“We want to build on last year’s success and make this year’s Bike Week Winnipeg as inclusive as possible, so we’re working to host events that will engage with riders of all ages and skill levels,” says Dave Elmore, Bike Week Winnipeg Project Manager. “Bike week is for everyone.”

While some of the week’s festivities have yet to be announced, some returning favourites include yoga in the park, the moveable feast, an outdoor spin class, and a group ride to Birds Hill Park followed by a cold beer at one of downtown Winnipeg’s outdoor patios.

Organizers are inviting all bike riders to the front lawn of the University of Winnipeg on Monday, June 15 for a free breakfast, bike tune-ups and entertainment to kick off the week. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 9 a.m. There will also be group rides, theme rides and lots of opportunities to get some help with tuning up your bike at local community bike shops.

Half Pints, one of Winnipeg’s local breweries, will be hosting a Bikes-and-BBQ Party on Friday, June 19, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. in the Oodena Celebration Circle at The Forks. Representatives from the brewery will be serving their specially-crafted Pedal Pushers Ale, an exclusive beer brewed for Bike Week Winnipeg.

“Riding a bike is one of the best things you can do for yourself and our earth. We want everyone to come out and enjoy the fun of riding a bike,” says Elmore.

Bike Week Winnipeg is an annual weeklong celebration of people riding their bicycles in Winnipeg, culminating in Bike to Work Day. All Bike Week Winnipeg events are open to the public, and free unless otherwise indicated on their website