Bike to work week breaks a record for new cyclists

In an impressive display of pedal power a record 11,602 cyclists rode a bike to work or school last week during Metro Vancouver's annual Bike to Work Week.

Cycling advocates say the week usually attracts new cyclists, many of whom continue to make their way about town on two wheels.

"Our surveys show that 75 per cent of participants who hadn't biked to work before Bike to Work Week are still biking to work at least once a week two months later," said HUB cycling manager Emma Cunnington.

This year almost 2,000 new riders hopped onto a bike and the riders who logged their miles rode an impressive 557,499 kilometres.

The week features a race of sorts, pitting workplaces against one another, with the winners logging the most kilometres cycled.

Among the victorious teams this year are an architectural firm, a fuel cell company and the University of British Columbia.

- Best Workplace (1-10 Employees): HASTe BC.

- Best Workplace (11-25 Employees): Bruce Carscadden Architect.

- Best Workplace (26-100 Employees): Zaber Technologies.

- Best Workplace (101-250 Employees): Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation.

- Best Workplace (251-500 Employees): Arc'teryx Equipment Inc.

- Best Workplace (501-1000 Employees): MDA.

- Best Workplace (1000+ Employees): University of British Columbia.