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An annual celebration of alternative transport has grown up from a "Yeah whatever" to a "Pedal Power" juggernaut

by Matthew Burrows <mburrows@republic-news.org>

June may be bike month, but by National Clean Air Day (June 2) I already came, saw and bought the T-Shirt.

I came down to the CBC Breakfast at the Hamilton Street plaza by 7 a.m. last Wednesday, June 2, saw the 90-minute lineup for pancakes and coffee, and decided I had to buy the 100% "Airganic" white shirt sanctioned by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST).

It was a good way to start bike month, a time of year that is supposed to remind us Vancouverites, at a time of hot sunny weather and leaf-blowing, two-stroke-motor-burning lunatics and screaming cars, that we have to step back from the edge of fossilized suicide.

What I witnessed at the CBC breakfast was a smorgasbord of just about every non-profit, government strata, political stripe and mode of transport. The place was steeped in councilors, past and present, from the indefatigable bike fanatic Gordon Price to the bike-commuting Peter Ladner. Also on her bike was Ellen Woodsworth.

Perhaps fortunately, the event was spontaneous and very noisy due to (ahem) passing car traffic and music, to the extent that Joy MacPhail, provincial air guru Joyce Murray and other statement-makers went largely unheard.

In a way it was fitting. Not because they had nothing good to say-I'm not going to start bashing politicians for showing up to an event-but just because the day belonged to one and all, and not just those with the badges identifying them.

The underbelly revealed the usual Critical Mass suspects, who also ride every month on the last Friday to "protest oil dependency and have good clean fun." Present were Bike Box bike trailer entrepreneur and mad Mancunian Andy Hunter, the car co-operative operators, Bike Doctor Paul, organic coffee traders, park board trustee Lyndsay Poaps and a quick wave in passing from TV's own Ian Hanomansing, who seemed very underheight for his weight. (TV makes him look way taller.)

All the while BEST's own Ray Straatsma and Richard Campbell, who ran for the Green Party in the last municipal election, made sure the incoming bikers knew where the food was and where the immense line began, with shiny white T-shirts on hand.

You know, it's really a beautiful thing. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the reggae was playing. In amongst it all I heard vague references to the CBC, but it really was a party that people treated like their own. Connections were made and bikes were coming and going en masse.

Bike Month has transformed the city from "Yeah whatever" cynics to "Pedal Power" pacifists. I lived more in 90 minutes than for the entire month of May combined, and BEST deserves the lion's share of credit for that.

What pleases Oot & Aboot immensely with all this is the fact that this is just the beginning. Bike Month offers over 50 fun and educational events including group rides, safety workshops, parties, films and festivals, for people of all ages and abilities.

To quote the BEST Bike Month guide: "Bike Month is your chance to discover quiet, safe, beautiful routes for excursions or everyday trips. Feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Get fit. Save money. Fall in love with your commute."

It seems it will be a busy month, so if you want to get out there and smell the roses and feel the vibe (and even ride naked on June 12), tune up the bicycle and see what's on at www.best.bc.ca, or call BEST Bike Month coordinator Richard Campbell for more info at 604-669-2860.

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