BEST's "June is Bike Month" has grown to icon status in the years it has been operating. Every year, thousands of cyclists participate in events all through Metro Vancouver, celebrating cycling as  fun, healthy, inspiring, and just a great way to get around.

Yet research shows that over the past several years, overall, the number of cyclists has remained relatively constant, increasing in some parts of Metro Vancouver while decreasing in others. The same research identifies safety and the perception of safety as on of the top issues that keeps cyclists from riding more, and from irregular cyclists adopting bicycles as a viable transportation mode.

For that reason, Bike Month 2010 will feature large safety component aimed at educating cyclist about safe cycling, drivers about safe driving behaviour around cyclists, and cyclists about safety with respect to pedestrians. We're expanding the team of Bike Month supporters--along with traditional supporters such as Translink and Municipalities like Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam and Surrey, we're partnering with other groups to ensure maximum penetration of messages and events. We're working the the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition to see that the safety message gets out and safety courses get taught in participating municipalities. We're working with the BCAA n getting the driver safety message out, and with the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation and HASTE regarding cycling safety to and from schools.

Safe cycling generates more cyclists, and having more cyclists is in itself a major method of improving safety. The more cyclists there are, the safer everyone is. Bike month 2010 will look to make that happen. As we gear up for that, you'll be able to list your upcoming cycling events, share your own safety tips and stories, download safe cycling guides and more.