THE date is set, and the prize is being crafted for a competition between Terrace mayor Dave Pernarowski and Smithers' mayor Taylor Bachrach.
This friendly mayoral competition is for Bike to Work Week held annually the end OF May. Each mayor's goal is the have the most teams from their community participate in the week-long event.
The mayors are both looking forward to the week and hope that by making the event a competition it will provide residents with a little extra incentive to register as participants.
“This is a fun challenge,” Bachrach said.
In addition to bragging rights for the winning municipality, Bachrach hopes that his homemade trophy dubbed “the Golden Saddle,” will provide inspiration.
The saddle is a vintage bicycle seat Bachrach will personally spray paint gold.
“The winning community will get to hang it in their city hall,” he explained.
“I am looking forward to seeing Mayor Bachrach's homemade trophy,” Mayor Pernarowski told The Standard. Additionally, he hopes more Terrace residents will register for the event to “keep the golden saddle away from Smithers.” When asked on their confidence for their community to win, Bachrach replied “we'll see how it goes. Terrace will give us a good run for our money.”This is Terrace's second year participating in the event, and the first year for Smithers. Last year more than 130 Terrace residents participated and organizers hope to have more than 300 this year.
Pernarowski spoke of last year's event and stated there was a “pretty good representation of council,” but hopes to exceed that this year.
“As more people become aware, I hope to see more teams,” Mayor Pernarowski stated.
Although each mayor hopes to come out of this week-long event victorious, they both see this challenge as an opportunity to showcase the benefits of cycling, a healthy lifestyle, as well as the natural beauty of the region.
Mayor Pernarowski stated that the event is “a good way to highlight the bike trails.”
The Terrace organizing committee will be providing free tune-ups and bike assessments for the first 15 workplaces to register at least one-quarter of their employees. “This is a first come first serve basis,” explained Tara Irwin, sustainability coordinator for the City of Terrace. A bike mechanic will visit these workplaces and provide the free service for everyone in the office.
Bike to Work Week kicks off on Monday May 27, and will run until Friday May 31. Both mayors will be biking to work while they are in town that week.
Teams can register at http://www.biketowork.ca.