Go Green Go Dutch Go Bike Brings 400 Bikes to Richmond
Olympic attendees looking for alternatives to long transit lines can now travel Dutch-style in Richmond.
The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch National Railways) and OV-Fiets (public transportation bikes) put 400 bikes on Richmond roads on Sunday. The bikes are on loan from The Netherlands for use during the Olympics, and visitors to the Heineken Holland House can rent the bikes for a small fee and cycle around Richmond and ultimately to the Richmond Oval for speed skating events.
Eight hundred cyclists of all ages came out to welcome the bikes on Sunday for the Go Green, Go Dutch, Go Bike event, a free two-hour inauguration opened by both Richmond's Mayor and the Consulate General of The Netherlands.
Hot chocolate and Dutch biscuits were served at the end of the ride, and orange safety vests served as thoughtful souvenirs of the day, along with a water bottle, Metro Vancouver cycling map and Richmond tourism brochures.
The ride promoted not only the health and environmental benefits of cycling, but also benefited local charities; 25 of the bikes will be donated to the community of Richmond after the Olympics.
Janet Gyenes
As the editor of BC Home and Alberta Home magazines, Janet Gyenes is always searching for the latest trends in home decor. And during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, she’ll also be following the latest action, and blogging about her day-to-day experiences.
Wendy Goldsmith
Wendy Goldsmith edits and writes for several BC-based magazines, including GardenWise, WestWorld, Grocer Today and Enterprise. Before settling in Vancouver, she was a restaurant reviewer in Edinburgh, an English teacher in Taiwan, and a farmer’s daughter in Alberta.
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