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Bike to Work Week Kootenays a great success
Bike to Work Week took place May 30 to June 5 and the organizers are amazed at the success of the 2016 initiative in the Kootenays.
According to event organizer Patti King: “We’re just thrilled at the incredible increase in participation and community engagement. This year, the Kootenays nearly tripled the number of Bike to Work Week participants, from 136 in 2015 to 393 this year!”
In total Kootenay participants rode a collective 13,502 km (the equivalent of riding across Canada – twice!), burned 405,068 calories, and saved 2,927 kg of greenhouse gases.
Participants who registered for BTWW Kootenays were eligible for random draws that took place throughout Bike to Work Week. Those who fundraised for this year’s charitable cause were also eligible for additional prizes, including a grand prize weekend for two at the Fernie Alpine Resort including two days of lift accessed biking and two days of downhill bike rentals.
“Bike to Work Week Kootenays was proud to return to our tradition of being the only BTWW community to fundraise for a local not-for-profit society in conjunction with BTWW. This year, participants raised nearly $1,500 for the West & East Kootenay Brain Injury Association (WEKBIA),” King related.
The top Kootenay fundraiser for 2016 was Troy Kusy of Rossland, who won the grand prize weekend at Fernie Alpine Resort. Instead of the weekend away, he’s requested that the prize package, valued at $900, be donated to the WEKBIA. According to Kusy, “My family and I are thrilled and love the Fernie Alpine Resort. We have biked there before and we always have lots of fun when we visit. Because one of the main reasons I participated in Bike to Work Week was to raise funds for the Brain Injury Association, my family and I felt it just makes sense for us to donate the prize to the association.”
WEKBIA Executive Director Danielle Armstrong couldn’t be happier. “We are excited that Bike to Work Week Kootenays provided us with this opportunity. Thank you to everyone who supported our cause,” she said.
The organization plans to include the donated prize in an upcoming raffle they are having to further raise awareness and funds for their programs.
Bike to Work Week Kootenays thanks all the businesses, individuals and teams who participated in Bike to Work Week 2016.
Lead image: Bike to Work Week Kootenays organizer Mike Kent (centre), with top fundraiser Troy Kusy (left), presents a cheque to Danielle Armstrong from the West and East Kootenay Brain Injury Association.
Submitted
