We’d like to thank all our customers, new and old, for your continued support and loyalty. We hope to meet many more in the new year.

We hope you like these festive bike videos we found!

Looks like Rerun needs a Zigo!

Yahoo! videos can’t be embedded in WordPress (yet) so the next one is a link to the video.

We hope you’ll have a look and check out some of the other businesses and organizations we like…hopefully, you’ll like us, too!

In 2010 (the whole year) there were 1919 bicycles stolen

In 2010 to July 20 there had been 901 bicycles stolen

In 2011 to July 20 there have been  826 bicycles stolen

These stats reflect the number of reported bike thefts.

Constable Longley also pointed out that roughly the same number of bikes ended up at the annual VPD bike auction. These are bikes that could have been returned to their owners, but they were not reported. Owners had also not engraved their BC Drivers Licence number on their bike, which can help the police re-unite bikes and owners.

VanCycle encourages cyclists to protect their bikes! If you are the unfortunate victim of bike theft, report it to your local police department! Check our other posts on related topics.

How and Why to Report

Locks and Security

Why You Should Report

Keeping a Record of Your Bike

Previous Theft Stats

Thanks again to Constable Longley for all her help!

The two open houses have passed, but you can still take a peek at the display boards and provide your input.

From the City’s website:

Next Steps:

In April 2011, the City released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to invite applications from interested parties to develop, install, own, operate and finance a Public Bicycle System in the City of Vancouver, targeting launch in spring 2012 or earlier. City staff are reviewing the responses to this RFEOI and will present their results to Council this summer. Council will then decide whether or not to pursue a PBS in Vancouver.

If a PBS implementation is pursued, additional public consultation will take place in the fall of 2011.

For more Information:

For more information, e-mail the Bicycle Hotline at bikevancouver@vancouver.ca.

Additional information on public bicycle systems in other cities can be found on the The Bike-sharing Blog.

For further information on cycling in Vancouver, please visit our Bike Vancouver Facebook page.

VanCycle joined the Ride to Conquer Cancer during its first day of the ride on June 18th. We helped provide mechanical support to all the riders who raised $11.1 million for cancer research and support.  Getting up at 3:15am wasn’t very fun, but it was great to see all the riders getting ready for their big ride. We were impressed by the spirit and determination of the riders: riding in the rain, climbing up those hills, and getting up the next day to do it all again! We hope to see you out their next year!

Check out their Flickr site for more photos. And Facebook.

Ride to Conquer Cancer website. (to get you thinking about doing the ride next year!)

From The Ride website:

“Right now, 2 in 5 people will hear the words: “You have cancer” in their lifetime.

The money you raise for The Ride to Conquer Cancer will benefit BC Cancer Foundation and support leading clinicians, scientists, and researchers whose search for new discoveries and improved patient outcomes will have a real impact in our communities throughout the province, across Canada, and around the world. In other words, your participation will accelerate the conquest of cancer.”

Check out these kids’ bikes! For more details and ordering information, check out our new online catalogue.

We price match and provide free delivery in Vancouver

Champ

• Frame: Jr.size

• Fork: FA tapered leg

• Handlebar: Free Agent Junior, 590mm

• Crankset: 1-pc forged 5-1/2″, 36T chainwheel

• Rims: Weinmann alloy

• Tires: Free Agent Knobby 20×1.75″

• Brake Levers: Free Agent alloy

• Brakes: Alloy linear pull, coaster rear

• Saddle: FA padded

• Seatpost: Alloy 25.4x300mm, Black

• Other Features: Free Agent handlebar and frame pad

$240 plus HST

Champ AL

• Frame: Alloy, Jr.size

• Fork: FA tapered leg

• Headset: Cane Creek A-head, 1-1/8″

• Stem: FA BMX threadless, Alloy 4-bolt

• Crankset: 3-pc Alloy Cotterless, 140mm, 36T chainring

• BB: Square taper axle, ball bearings, Euro

• Rims: Weinmann alloy

• Brake Levers: Free Agent alloy

• Brakes: Alloy linear pull Saddle: FA padded

• Seatpost: Alloy 27.2x300mm, Blk

• Other Features: Free Agent handlebar and frame pad

$275 plus HST

Team Junior

• Frame: 6061 Aluminum, Integrated H/T, Custom formed D/T,CNC dropouts

• Fork: Sinz Mini Carbon

• Headset: FSA full Integrated, S/B,1″ Handlebar: Free Agent Alloy Jr 585mm, 4-1/2″ rise

• Stem: FA Jr/Expert Race, Alloy 4-bolts

• Crankset: Free Agent 3-pc alloy, 155mm, 42T

• Chain: KMC Z30 1/2X3/32, Nickel Plated

• Pedals: Free Agent mini alloy platform

• Rims: Weinmann Semi-Aero alloy, Dbl wall

• Hubset: FA alloy, Cassette, Sealed Mech

• Spokes: 15G
Blk, 24×28 w/alloy nipples

• Tires: Tioga Power Block, 20×1-3/8″, 60 TPI

• Freewheel / Cassette: 16T cassette

• Brake Levers: Free Agent alloy race

• Brakes: Free Agent linear pull alloy

• Saddle: FA Junior Race, Integrated saddle and seatpost

• Seatpost: Alloy 22.2mm Integrated

$640 plus HST

Speedy

If you’re looking for a “first bike” but you don’t want a toy, Speedy is a quality bike at a great price.

• Frame: 16″ Double Diamond

• Fork: FA tapered leg

• Stem: BMX Alloy

• Crankset: 1-pc forged 4-1/2″,36T chainwheel

• Rims: Alloy, 28h

• Tires: Kenda Kontact, 16×1.75″

• Brakes: Coaster

• Saddle: FA Jr. padded

• Other Features: Bell, training wheels, handlebar pad

$200 plus HST

The weather cooperated and we had lots of fun at the Velopalooza bike wash today!

Thanks to all the people who stopped by to have their bike washed and inspected; you helped raise funds for the great two-week festival coming up in June. Thanks also to the Alliance Church for letting us use their taps for our hoses!

Don’t forget to check out the Velopalooza website to see all the rides that are happening between June 3-19. If you would like a printed copy of the calendar, come and see us at the commuter stations during Bike To Work Week. So far, we are scheduled to be at three locations: Langara on Monday morning, Clark & Adanac on Monday afternoon, and Tyne and Kingsway on Thursday afternoon. Click here to see more details.

The launch party for Velopalooza is on Thursday, June 2nd at the Waldorf. We will have tickets available at the commuter stations (tickets are $10). You can also buy them online. More details on the Velopalooza site.

VanCycle can come to your workplace and provide tune-ups for your employees or co-workers.

Bike To Work Week is a great time to provide this service to your workplace; let us help jump-start a commuting program! Or get ready to participate in some fun rides with Velopalooza!

Typically, we come to your workplace in our fully equipped mobile shop; we can do all repairs and sales from our truck. As an option, we can take the bikes off site and return them later the same day or the next day; it’s up to you!

What We Provide

• Meet with individuals in the morning and discuss concerns and work needed
• Provide an assessment and cost estimate for repairs
• Meet with owners at their convenience (eg lunch or after work) and return bike, providing information about repairs that were completed
• Can show accessories such as helmets, lights, fenders, locks
• Provide 20% discount on labour for less than five bikes
• Provide 25% discount on labour for five or more bikes

You Provide

• Promote the Tune-up Day at your work site
• Work with VanCycle to arrange logistics such as parking, meeting time

We can also provide a Lunch and Learn session for staff. This could be a basic information session, a hands-on maintenance, or any other customized session.

If you are interested in booking a day, or have any questions, please use our contact form, phone, or e-mail us.

Location: Vancouver

Phone: 778-881-FAST (3278)

E-mail: Please use the form below to contact us (you don’t have to provide a website address)

Well, we’ve finally started working on an online catalogue! We’ve been using our current website to highlight new products, but the software isn’t really designed for this use. We’re using osCommerce, which is an open source program; we’re still learning the software so please be patient. The site is sitting on its own domain right now (www.vancycle.ca/catalogue); we’re considering migrating our “regular” site (the one you’re on now) so both options are in the same location.

Please send us any feedback or suggestions. Don’t feel shy! We are still working out some of the glitches (eg American spelling of “catalog” and “check” even though we have the Canadian/UK option chosen), but hope you will take a moment to look around. If you have any product ideas, let us know!

We are using the catalogue to demonstrate the wide variety of bikes, parts, and accessories that VanCycle carries. We are currently NOT using the live shopping cart module, but orders can still be placed; no payment will be taken. Instead, we will receive notification of an order and will contact the customer to arrange delivery.

If you have any questions about our products please call or e-mail.

Remember, we price match and deliver

Phone: 778-881-3278

E-mail: vancouvercycle@gmail.com

Here are some photos from Monday’s commuter stations (Langara and Clark & Adanac). Rainy in the morning but sunny in the afternoon, freshly baked scones at Langara, funny Tony the Tiger prizes, lots of commuters at Clark & Adanac, the last few people who waited patiently for some mechanical advice after everyone else had packed up and left!

From VACC’s website:

Bike to Work Week has lots of external motivation to help you cycle through all seasons:

Hot coffee, free food, and mechanical help at our commuter stations!

Prizes!

Prizes can be won at commuter stations around Metro Vancouver, plus you can be entered for other prizes by logging your commute online. There is a brand new bike up for grabs, along with waterproof gear, clothing, and free tune-ups to make you visible, comfortable, safe, and stylish.

Apart from all the swag, cycling has great perks for your body, mind, wallet and world.

Commuting by bicycle is a proven mechanism for improving the health and wellness of both individuals and workplaces. It is a viable, cost effective form of transportation. Biking to work rather than driving a single occupant vehicle helps to contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions in our communities. It is also positively the most enjoyable means of traveling between work and home!

VanCycle will be at the following Commuter Stations. Come and say “hi”!

Monday May 30

Station #1

Time: 8:00-10:00am

Location: Main entrance to Building A of Langara College (near the corner of 49th Avenue and Ontario Street)

Sponsors: Langara College

Free refreshments provided!

Stop by the station for a chance to win a gift card from MEC, provided by Langara College

But wait, there’s more!

Station #2

Time: 4:00-6:00pm

Location:  Adanac & Clark, in Jim Koo parking area

Sponsored by: Strathcona Business Improvement Association

Free refreshments provided by: Member Businesses in Strathcona

Stop by this station for:  

• A chance to win a bike tune-up from VanCycle!
• Information about the SBIA, and a chance to win a prize pack from Strathcona businesses!

Thursday June 2

Time: 4:00 – 6:00pm

Location: Kingsway and Tyne

Sponsored by: Collingwood Business Improvement Association

Free refreshments provided by: Safeway Canada and Starbucks

Be sure to stop at the station to say hello to the friendly representatives from the Collingwood Business Improvement Association and fill in a ballot for a great prize from merchants of the area. The Collingwood fun continues after Bike to Work Week, with Collingwood Days, happening on Saturday June 4th!