BCAA is committed to investing in community programs and partnerships each year to help pave the way for a safer, resilient and more inclusive future for all British Columbians. By enabling BC communities to feel safe and connected, we help move British Columbians forward.

Our friends at HUB Cycling know that access to safe micromobility solutions makes communities healthier, happier and more connected. With these shared values in mind, BCAA is delighted to continue our partnership in 2023 to support HUB in their mission to get more people cycling more often. 

Working together to support underserved communities

In 2022, we supported HUB Cycling’s Newcomer Bike Mentorship Program. In collaboration with the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC), the Newcomer Bike Mentorship Program matched recent immigrants and refugees with local volunteer “mentors” for companionship and cultural orientation to Metro Vancouver’s active transportation lifestyle.

Programs like this help newcomers to our province develop a sense of belonging, get familiar with their new home and often boosts participants’ mental health. For the first time ever, the program ran in the Tri-Cities, bringing together 16 mentor and mentee matches. Razieh, an immigrant woman from Iran, was one of the mentees who participated in the program and said cycling has had a tremendous impact on her since moving here.

“I couldn’t believe I got to Rocky Point Park in Port Moody from my home on my bike. Bicycling in the Tri-Cities was a great experience for me. I could ride to many cities outside of Coquitlam just by using the bike trails, and I could even reach my workplace on the way. This program helped me so much by teaching me how to ride in Metro Vancouver, so that I now have the confidence to join cycling groups and explore new and longer rides. After this program, I rode 65km from Lafarge Lake to Fort Langley with my friends. It is the best record of my life.”

Evolving the work from 2022, our partnership this year will focus on priorities that make cycling more safe, diverse and equitable for all British Columbians, including support of HUB’s:

• Local volunteer committees to work with local First Nation communities and municipal governments towards improving cycling conditions that benefit everyone.
• StreetWise Cycling program: a free biking education course for adult beginner riders to gain the knowledge and skills needed to start their cycling journeys with confidence without the barriers and costs of bike ownership. To support the course, e-bikes are also provided by Evolve E-Bike Share for participants.
• Analysis of cycle highways to create connected networks in all Metro Vancouver communities to make cycling safer, more accessible and practical over longer distances for all ages and abilities.

Working together to educate E-bike users

With the rising popularity of E-bikes in our communities as a greener, more affordable way for British Columbians to get around, HUB and BCAA will continue to educate around its safe usage to support those who may be new to this type of mobility solution. Check out our ‘Intro to riding an E-bike’ and ‘E-bike etiquette’ videos if you’re just getting started!  

Evolve E-Bike Share is now here

Created by BCAA and operating alongside Evo Car Share, Evolve is a turnkey, zero-emission electric bike share program that offers a simple but powerful member experience. Evolve currently offers tailored business programs for private organizations across Metro Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler, and has been working closely with HUB Cycling in organizing safety education courses and promoting the use of e-bikes. Businesses, organizations, or municipalities interested in learning more about Evolve E-Bike Share can find out more at evo.ca/evolve-for-business.

How to get involved with HUB

If you’re an enthusiastic cycling advocate, you can become a lifetime HUB Cycling member for only $10 by signing up at bikehub.ca/join. HUB Cycling also has 10 volunteer Local Committees across Metro Vancouver where members meet monthly to discuss how to make cycling safer and better in their communities. No experience is required to join! To learn more, visit bikehub.ca/lc.

HUB Cycling is also recruiting mentors for the next Newcomer Bike Mentorship Program beginning in the Tri-Cities and Vancouver in May 2023. The program runs for three months. If you’re interested in becoming a bike mentor and can spend time cycling with a newcomer at least once a week for about three months, please apply here.

Stay up to date on cycling related news and events by subscribing to HUB Cycling’s newsletter or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

For the unexpected, BCAA can help

If you find yourself with a flat tire or a broken chain, give us a call, and we'll send a BCAA Roadside Assistance Technician to help you get back on the road or drop your bike at a nearby bike shop or your home. For those with a motorized E-bike, make sure you have a Plus or Premier Membership which includes coverage for E-bikes and Motorcycles. Learn more at bcaa.com.