Wheels Up, Vancouver! Try An Ebike For One Week!

Free To All UBC Faculty & Staff: March 20th through to May 20, 2023

Have you ever wanted an alternative to crowded, unreliable public transit? Do you wish you could bypass the stress of being in a car, stuck in traffic? Well, here's a chance to try a green and healthy mode of commuting, doing errands and socialising, through the magic of riding an ebike. The University of British Columbia has teamed up with Zygg Subscription Ebikes to provide their faculty & staff the perfect opportunity to give ebiking a spin this spring. The fantastic incentive: your very own Zygg e-bike, free for one week!

This generous offer is in tandem with UBC’s framework of proactive initiatives which embraces more sustainable transport goals for its campus and community at large. With a reduction in cars, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, as well as the need for unnecessary vehicle parking. For those UBC Faculty and Staff who qualify, there is an additional perk of a 10% discount for subscription using a UBC code. You do not need to participate in the “UBC Try An E-bike Program” to be eligible to access this code.

UBC has assembled some awesome tips and resources for riders - like how & where to securely park your bike or ebike on campus - on the “CYCLING” section of the UBC Planning Department’s website.

There is even a video detailing the car-free and “slow-zone” areas of campus, perfect for walking and riding and a map of UBC’s cycling infrastructure and routes.

Around UBC and the University Endowment Lands there are even more awesome vistas to explore. Visiting many of the most picturesque locales (as in trekking up hills!) is made more easily attainable when riding an e-bike. 

Let us know your favourite places to explore by bike. 

#MyVancouverVista #yvrcycling @ridezygg

On The Right Track: Elevated Bike Lanes Along Toronto’s College Street Incoming!

College Street, one of Toronto’s most important east / west arteries, is set for a much-needed boost to the city’s cycling network. Starting the week of March 6, the City of Toronto announced that work will commence on upgrading the existing bike lanes on College between Bay Street and Manning Avenue into “cycle tracks”, which are lanes for bicycles that are adjacent to the road but separated from vehicle traffic. This area is infused with commuters traveling to work in the financial district and hospital row, students and faculty accessing The University of Toronto, OCADU, and Toronto Metropolitan University, and downtown residents going about their daily social activities. Traveling along College Street is very popular with cyclists, especially e-bike food delivery riders, as it is connected to many densely populated neighborhoods chock-full of a lively restaurant culture.

Work will take place primarily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Friday, with work after hours and on weekends on an as-needed basis. The work will continue for the next two months into May, ready for the anticipated influx of spring and summer riders throughout the area.

The cycle tracks on the section between Manning Avenue and Spadina Avenue will be elevated, while the tracks built between Spadina Avenue and Bay Street will be at ground level.

In a recent interview with CBC News, Councillor Dianne Saxe (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) says the project is a long-time coming that will pay off for both businesses and residents down the road.

"I know that there's a huge unmet desire for people to cycle," Saxe said in an interview. Councillor Saxe is also a well-known urban cyclist. "People won't cycle unless it's safe, and we need separated bike lanes to make it safe."

CBC NEWS TORONTO profiled the much anticipated changes to the fabric of the College streetscape, on its nightly newscast. You can view the complete feature, starting at timecode 18:50 . Spot a cameo of Zygg’s Subscription Ebikes stylish Model “A” at timecode 20:14!

Find more information on the construction work and its progress at The City of Toronto site.

Why I Love Ebiking in Vancouver From Avid Zygg Rider Sherri

“I was a Zygg subscriber during the summer 2022, and then bought a used ebike from the Zygg rental fleet this winter.

I love bike riding and wanted to do more of it, but was often daunted by the hills in Vancouver, and didn't want to feel exhausted when I got to my destination. Translink had removed the requirement to wear masks on transit, so I didn't feel as safe using transit as my primary way to get around. I wanted to find a way to travel with less exposure during this ongoing pandemic.

“I love bike riding and wanted to do more of it, but was often daunted by the hills in Vancouver, and didn’t want to feel exhausted when I got to my destination.”

— Sherri M.

I had such a good experience with the subscription over the summer that I decided to save up and buy a bike for myself. The Zygg team helped me out finding a great bike from the rental fleet. They answered all my questions and helped me choose the one that was right for me.

I've had it for a couple of months now and it's allowed me to do more frequent trips, and farther. I have even been going out for rides for pleasure and fun, taking advantage of the few sunny days we get in Vancouver during the winter months.

Because of the electrical assist, I can get more errands done with my bike and carry more cargo with me (groceries, donations, recycling, etc.).  I'm also more likely to get out in rainy weather than I was before. I'm able to contribute more to my community because I feel I have a reliable way to get around regardless of my energy level day to day, and without adding much exposure risk.  And an ebike is a good conversation starter - lots of people have been curious and asked me about it.

A big draw of the Zygg service was the offering to drop off and pick up the bike during the subscription service, and for the bike I purchased. That removed a barrier for me.

One of my favourite features of the bike I have is the throttle that lets you get a quick assist without pedaling. I use this all the time when stopped at a traffic light on a hill - it makes it easier to get moving again after stopping.

I was delighted to find out that my local credit union offers lower-interest loans for green transportation choices, including ebikes. I know the cost of an ebike is a barrier for a lot of people, and I don't think a lot of folks know you can get this type of loan for an ebike the same way you might get a loan to buy a car.”

• Sherri (They/Them)

“This is a favourite view from Boundary Road in North Burnaby. Easier to get up the hill for this view with an ebike.”

Photo credit: Sherri M.