Expanding e-bike sharing programs in Whistler has led to a significant uptick in use.
British Columbia Automobile Association’s (BCAA) Evolve E-Bike Share program expanded to eight new parking locations this summer in the Creekside parking lot and outside staff housing at Blackcomb, Brio, Westside, and in Whistler’s parks. As the bike-sharing season winds down, numbers from Evolve show a 130-per-cent increase in trips between mid-May and July compared to last year.
Leanne Buhler, head of Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share, said the expansion to staff housing helped boost ridership.
“It got much greater exposure to locals who were most likely to use the program for those short trips in and around town as they're working and living their life in Whistler,” Buhler said.
Forty-two per cent of trips lasted less than 20 minutes. Short trips are a sign people are integrating the vehicles into their everyday lives, and is a typical trend when locations increase, according to the head of Evolve.
“We love to see that we're capturing those short trips, because those are the ones that really are meaningful when we talk about shifting transportation options from a vehicle to a more active and sustainable mode of transportation,” Buhler explained.
Riders also saved 14,700 kilograms in greenhouse gas emissions by e-biking.
In a press release, Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton applauded the increase in ridership.
“We are glad to see more people embracing e-bike sharing as part of their regular routines, whether it is to cycle from home to work or to get around the community,” said Crompton.
“Biking is great for your health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps us to meet our Big Moves climate action goals. Biking is also an incredibly fun and efficient way to travel around Whistler. The increase in users seen so far this season is a testament to that.”
Certain routes saw high numbers of ridership, like Lost Lake to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), Creekside to the Whistler Conference Centre, and the Whistler Conference Centre to Lakeside Park.
Buhler pointed to parking and congestion challenges in these locations, making e-biking the convenient option and the impetus for expanding in these heavy-traffic spots.
“They're going to get door to door quicker, more sustainably, and they're not going to have to battle all that traffic," she said. "So, the reason we're seeing uptake on those routes can be directly related to the obvious challenges we see in communities.”
Some e-bikes also featured local art, thanks to a partnership with the SLCC.
Two Indigenous artists had their work featured on 20 bikes for National Indigenous History Month in June, and the art is still on display.
Chief Ray Natraoro (Ses Siyam) from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (the Squamish Nation), and Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews, from Lil̓wat7ul (the Lil’wat Nation), were tapped for the job, merging the work of leaders and youth from the two Nations.
“It's beautiful art, and it's really nice to see a reflection of the community on our program,” Buhler said, and when asked if there could be more partnerships like this on the horizon, she said Evolve will continue to look for opportunities to collaborate with community groups and artists as they keep growing in Whistler.
Evolve’s program runs until October, so be sure to get more emissions-saving trips in before the season ends.
