Canada is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of cycling, Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns told a crowd of well over 100 people during Earth Day celebrations in Port Alberni, Saturday afternoon.
Johns, Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA candidate Scott Fraser and about 40 other people left Harbour Quay for a quick bike ride around the area before returning to the Quay for a party.
Johns kicked off his campaign for a national cycling strategy (Bill C-312), and unveiled plans to cycle all around his riding next August, starting in Hesquiaht First Nation territory on the west coast.
Young Professionals of the Alberni Valley also unveiled a new bike rack at Harbour Quay, and said businesses and organizations have pitched in for more bike racks around the community. The unveiling was the culmination of two years of work for the volunteer organization.
The event, which included live music and a vegan burger BBQ, drew more than 100 people of all ages—cyclists and non-cyclists—to the Quay.
“I was blown away,” said John Mayba, one of the event organizers. “It was a good turnout. I was really impressed with the speeches from Gord Johns and from Arne Elias from the National Cycling Coalition. He talked about how important cycling is to the national economy and the health of the nation.”
For more coverage of Gord Johns’ national cycling strategy, come back and visit www.albernivalleynews.com.
