The City of Richmond and two local residents were among the winners of HUB Cycling's annual Bike Awards.
The Bike Awards recently returned for the 11th year to celebrate efforts to make cycling more accessible in Metro Vancouver.
The City of Richmond was crowned Cycling Education Champion for its continuous support of HUB Cycling's education courses in local elementary schools and for funding Richmond's first StreetWise Cycling Education Centre.
The education centre operates out of the Steveston Community Centre and runs bike maintenance and skills with support from the city and the provincial government.
Richmond resident Jesse Li won the volunteer appreciation award for local committees and Joan Caravan was awarded the 2023 Arno Schortinghuis Cycling Champion Award.
Li, the co-chair of HUB Cycle's Richmond committee, increased public engagement by working with his co-chairs and made media appearances on behalf of HUB Cycling to share his personal experience of commuting by bike from Vancouver to Richmond, according to HUB Cycling.
"In 2023 he successfully led the charge to reverse a Council motion to ensure safe cycling infrastructure is built on the south side of Steveston Highway," reads a statement from HUB Cycling.
Meanwhile, Caravan, a retired City of Richmond transportation planner, was recognized for her "instrumental" role in advancing cycling in Richmond as a "tireless cycling advocate."
The Arno Schortinghuis Cycling Award is awarded to individuals who made "a huge and lasting impact" on cycling in Metro Vancouver and was established to memorialize Arno Schortinghuis's lifelong dedication to improving cycling conditions.
Caravan worked closely with HUB Cycling's Richmond committee and advocates to create the Richmond Active Transportation Committee, and played a key role in expanding cycling education to local elementary students.
Since her retirement, Caravan has remained connected and involved in the local cycling committee.
The awards ceremony was held at The Cinematheque on March 12 in downtown Vancouver.
