MEC Bikefest

MEC Bikefest is an annual series of cycling festivals across Canada. Each event features demonstrations, educational clinics, cycling vendors, complimentary repairs, used equipment sales, and opportunities to test new bicycles.[1]

Although MEC Bikefest is organized and sponsored by Mountain Equipment Co-op, it is a non-partisan event featuring each city's main bike retailers, cycling clubs and non profit cycling community groups. MEC Bikefest is a free event and is open to the public.

Festival Overview

Each event features demonstrations, clinics, group bike rides, cycling vendors, complimentary repairs, a used bike and bike equipment market, free valet bike parking, charity bike drop off and opportunities to try out gear and test ride new bikes. Some MEC Bikefest events also feature live music, entertainment, local food vendors and prizes.

Clinics that are commonly offered at MEC Bikefest include bike repairs and informative courses on bicycle touring, mountain biking, bicycle commuting and road riding. Clinics and group rides are offered at little or no cost in order to make MEC Bikefest accessible to everyone in each community. The types of children’s of activities that can be found at Bikefest include bicycle rodeos, learn to ride classes, bicycle decorating crafts, bike parades, obstacle courses, and clowns.

Many different types of organizations participate in MEC Bikefest. Some examples of groups or organizations that have participated in the event in the past include CAA Bike Assist, KEEN Footwear, local bicycle advocacy organizations, retail bike stores, bicycle clothing manufacturers, cycling performance artists Bicyclettes and Cyclops, and local cycling safety officers.

History

The event was first held in the spring/ summer of 2009. The format for MEC Bikefest is loosely based MEC Paddlefest, a paddlesports focused event that MEC has been hosting since 2005.

Bikefest

References

  1. ↑ "Bikefest celebration in North Vancouver". Retrieved 2010-09-01.

External links