August 31, 2022 - (North Vancouver, BC) Support and inspiration for the growing cargo bike scene in B.C. continues as the second Annual North Shore Cargo Bike Ride was held on Aug. 27 in North Vancouver.
On board were North Vancouver City Councillors Tony Valente, Jessica McIlroy and Jordan Back, along with former Vancouver City Councillor Gordon Price. Held about a month earlier than last year’s inaugural ride, overall numbers were down, but organizers remain buoyant.
“It was a great ride… we saw fewer riders likely because we held it earlier this year due to other commitments and were impacted by the summer holiday travel season, school beginning for families etc.,” commented Sam Starr, president of Our Greenway the organizer. “Late September, like last year, may still be best for next year’s ride to get more people out.”
Participants were greeted with a shorter route to smooth out hiccups identified last year, and began at the Shipyards taking the Spirit Trail to John Lawson Park before heading back to the House of Funk’s End of Summer House Party.
The ride saw a mix of bakfiets, long tails, box bikes, trikes, e-bikes, and acoustic bikes as well. “There are a lot more cargo bikes of all types these days on Vancouver streets,” said Valente. “People are embracing e-cargo bikes out here.”
He concurred that a later date for the ride is likely better as the end of August overlaps with vacation time, especially after two years of Covid.
Organizers are now focusing on their new inaugural virtual event, the Canadian Cargo Cycle Conference: Opening the Mobility Toolbox in partnership with Coop Carbone, being held on Sept. 20, including special guests from larger-scale logistics organizations like Canada Post and DHL – more info here.
The International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) was the inspiration for the North Vancouver cargo bike ride, and Starr and Our Greenway’s Executive Director, Darnel Harris, are heading to ICBF being held this year in conjunction with the World of Emobility from Oct. 27-29 near Amsterdam. Plans for a larger B.C. ride/festival next year are also in the works.
More on Our Greenway here.
