BEST has been promoting sustainable transportation in the Lower Mainland of BC since 1991. Formed by a group of dedicated cyclists, BEST opened Vancouver’s first do-it-yourself bike store (Our Community Bikes) and coordinated Ride for the Environment events during National Environment Week, when bicycling was less common as a transportation mode.
In 1994 BEST shifted its mandate to include and promote all forms of sustainable transportation. We then began organizing the BC chapter of Commuter Challenge, a national one-week program in which participants commute sustainably for a chance to win great prizes. We converted our Bike Week to Bike Month.
Did you know that BEST…
Started Our Community Bikes in 1993, Vancouver’s first do-it-yourself bike store.
Initiated the first Bike Week in 1996, before focusing on Commuter Challenge.
Was awarded the first $1M grant from Vancity in 2001 for development of the Central Valley Greenway.
BEST celebrated over
25 years of history in 2016!
Read more in this awesome ZINE, written by the people who made what it is today!
We’re Proud of Our Positive Changes
In 1997 we launched the Go Green Choices Program, working with Translink, the regional transportation authority, to promote sustainable transportation to workplaces. Two years later we spun Our Community Bikes into its own non-profit, PEDAL, which now runs summer bike camps for kids, refurbishes old bikes, and trains and teaches people to fix their own bikes. Also that year we started Street Reclaiming, Moving for Change, and Off-Ramp, an internationally awarded project promoting sustainable transportation in secondary schools.
In 2001 BEST was awarded the first one million dollar grant from Vancity, used to develop and leverage funding for the Central Valley Greenway, a 20 km long regional urban trail from Vancouver to New Westminster, which is heavily used today for cycling and walking. For this work, BEST received the City of Burnaby Gold Environmental Star. More importantly, the Greenway served as a catalyst for a constituency for active transportation.
We created and ran an annual celebratory campaign aimed at promoting bicycling in the Province, June is Bike Month, resulting in unprecedented media coverage and awareness. After running Bike Month for ten years, we felt enough ground had been covered, and moved from building awareness, to concentrating on making sustainable choices easier. In 2016 we brought the initiative back online in a small way to highlight the great cycling activities going on in the region.
More recently, BEST has focused on building viable social enterprises based on offering services to encourage and enable sustainable modes of transportation. These programs include STAR, Seniors Transportation Access Resources, Living Streets, a unique model of engaging recent immigrants to affect change to the pedestrian experience in their neighbourhood, Commuter Challenge, a free one week national initiative encouraging sustainable commuting, and The Bicycle Valet, free and safe bicycle parking for events. In 2016, BEST began offering Parkbus BC to transport people to BC Provincial Parks without the need for a car. In 2019, we partnered with Cycling Without Age to help bring it to Vancouver.
The BEST Timeline
1991
Created as a non-profit organization to promote cycling as a sustainable form of transportation. BEST was started by a group of dedicated cyclists, or “bicycle people” as we used to call ourselves. Our vision is vibrant, healthy communities built around walking, cycling, public transit, and ride/car shares. Our mission is the transformation to sustainable transportation.
1992
Published the first Spoke ‘N Word Newsletter. Running until January 2000, Spoke ‘N’ Word was the source for all bicycle advocacy news in the Lower Mainland. Out of the ashes grew Momentum Magazine, first published in February 2001 and still going strong.
Coordinated Ride for the Environment events during National Environment Week in June of 1991 and 1992.
1993
Started Our Community Bikes, Vancouver’s first do-it-yourself bike store. In 1999 we spun OCB into its own non-profit, PEDAL. PEDAL’s three core programs are: Our Community Bikes (full service mechanic and retail bike shop); Our Community Bike Club (bike skills for youth); and Pedals for the People (providing refurbished bikes to people in need).
1994
This year, we broadened our vision to champion all forms of sustainable transportation, moving beyond our original focus on cycling.
Additionally, we proudly became a Canadian Charitable Organization, a testament to our commitment to driving positive change.
Our charity number is 140171216RR0001.
1996
From 1996 to 1999, BEST operated the first Bike to Work Week Campaigns to promote cycling and build awareness.
1997
Launched Go Green Choices to address the Lower Mainland’s air quality and transportation concerns through a media and communications campaign and supporting trip reduction initiatives.
Began coordinating Commuter Challenge in BC, a friendly competition including all forms of sustainable transportation. A national initiative, participants walk, cycle, take transit, ride share, car-share, or work from home during Canadian Environment Week (typically the first week of June), and track their commutes online for the chance to win great prizes!
1999
Developed Off Ramp, an internationally awarded project promoting sustainable transportation in secondary schools. The program trained and supported student leaders in developing strategies and activities to encourage their peers to travel to school by walking, cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, taking transit or ride sharing. Off Ramp ran until 2003, in Victoria and Metro Vancouver.
BEST ends the Go Green Choices program when TransLink was given the mandate to assume responsibility for Transportation Demand Management, allowing for a more coordinated and regional approach.
2000
Bike Month, launched as an annual campaign, built on the success of Bike Week and Bike to Work Week. Officially declared by Minister Harry Lalli, June became Bike Month in BC. After a decade of raising awareness with extensive media coverage, we shifted focus to making sustainable transportation choices easier. A highlight of Bike Month was the Clean Commute Breakfast, a media event where volunteers showcased their pancake-making skills while promoting sustainable commuting.
2001
We secured the first million-dollar grant from Vancity to develop the Central Valley Greenway (CVG), a 20 km urban trail connecting Vancouver to New Westminster via False Creek, Burnaby, and Coquitlam. This flat, direct pathway serves cyclists and pedestrians. Over six years, BEST collaborated with Transport Canada, the Province of BC, TransLink, Metro Vancouver, and the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster.
2002
We held Canada’s first National Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Conference. Bringing over 200 transportation professionals, elected officials and planners for three days of practical workshops, the conference advanced the field within Canada. BEST launched its owning Building TDM Capacity project the following year. Through this project BEST helped Nanaimo, Prince George, Victoria, Whistler and the Lower Mainland significantly increase their capacity to deliver TDM programs and engage in larger policy discussions around sustainable transportation.
2003
BEST produced a community guide called “How to Reclaim Your Street” to help neighbourhood groups address local traffic concerns such as volume, speed, safety and loss of community. Through facets such as neighbourhood organizing, celebration, art, community designed streetscapes, direct action strategies, and individuals reducing their own car use, the guidebook helps people become active participants in finding solutions that help them rediscover streets as places to build an engaged, healthy and connected community.
2006
We started The Bicycle Valet, as part of the Going Active program, encouraging event goers to use active transportation by offering free and safe bicycle parking. The Bicycle Valet is now BEST’s signature social enterprise, growing considerably every year.
2008
Coordinated the production of a cycling map for Richmond and YVR Airport, distributing 25,000 copies to civic facilities, grocery and convenience stores and other community agencies.
2009
The Central Valley Greenway (CVG) officially opened on June 27, 2009, and now supports all modes of active transportation.
BEST received the City of Burnaby Gold Environmental Star, and the Greenway served as a catalyst for a constituency for active transportation. Today, it is used regularly by people on bikes, foot, skateboards, rollerblades and other forms of active transportation.
2010
During the 2010 Winter Olympics, we proudly operated The Bicycle Valet at eight prime locations throughout Vancouver. For two weeks, we ensured seamless and secure bicycle parking, supporting the City of Vancouver in hosting a world-class event. Our involvement underscored our commitment to promoting sustainable transportation on a global stage.
2011
Launched Living Streets, an educational engagement program focusing on promoting walking in urban environments. Living Streets is currently active in the City of Surrey, in conjunction with their work on Vision Zero.
2011
With the United Way and the Vancouver Foundation, we launched STAR: the Seniors Transportation Access and Resources website, a province-wide coordinating initiative to help agencies provide transportation to seniors.
2014
The Bicycle Valet reaches an important milestone: 100,000 bikes safely parked. We celebrated by giving away a bike to our lucky 100,000th rider, and hosting a party to thank our volunteers, staff and sponsors.
2016
BEST marks 25 years of promoting sustainable transportation and healthy communities. We've collaborated with government agencies at all levels to assess sustainable transportation options and their impact on air quality, traffic congestion, and energy consumption. As a leading contributor to 13 major initiatives, we remain active members of the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition and Moving in Livable Region.
BEST launched Parkbus in BC, offering express bus service to BC Provincial Parks. Since then, Parkbus has become a vital link for thousands of Canadians, enabling easy access to the great outdoors.
2018
As part of Seniors on the Move, a project of Allies in Aging, BEST and bc211 announce the launch of a new Seniors Transportation Hotline and Hub. Looking for help to get around Metro Vancouver? Call 211 for Seniors Transportation Information.
2019
Partnered with Cycling Without Age to bring a local chapter to Vancouver. Also began ParkPass to help parks with transportation and day use demand management.
2021
BEST strived to reinvigorate efforts after the global pandemic. Increased interest in Living Streets and planned walks help promote walkability and community connection safely using outdoor activities.
2022
BEST embarked on a transformative journey by rebranding two flagship programs, The Bike Valet and WALK30. This strategic initiative was aimed at enhancing brand identity better aligning with our mission and values. The new branding reflects commitment to innovation and excellence to connect more deeply with BEST’s audience and stakeholders
2023
Living Streets and WALK30 continued to promote walkability, community connections, as well as active living among marginalized groups. The Seniors on the Move program engaged over 450 seniors to help navigate environmentally friendly transportation options. The Bike Valet parked over 49,407 bikes around the Metro Vancouver and Victoria areas.
