Family doc spearheads cycling revolution in Powell River

It’s been said that if you’re not designing your city around health, it can’t be considered liveable.

You don’t have to convince Dr. Chris Morwood of that. As an avid cyclist and family physician living in Powell River, Chris has worked hard to inspire his community to become more active – whether it’s teaching school-age kids cycling and mechanical skills to helping organizing community active transportation events and bike rides in Powell River. Chris is a firm believer that every child should have access to a bicycle.

Over the last six years, Chris has been collaborating with the City of Powell River, Powell River Regional District and School District 47 on developing bike lanes in the community. He’s also partnered with Vancouver Coastal Health, the Department of Family Physicians and Powell River Cycling Association to look at active transportation, such as improving walkability and cycling infrastructure in the city and region of 20,000 people. At issue for many health professionals like Chris is the fact that children are far less active than they used to be. Too many hours are spent in front of a screen, says Chris.

Dr. Chris Morwood

“Being active is one of the most important things we can do for our health because it helps us stay well both physically and mentally,” says the father of two. “As a family physician, I like to focus on prevention and encouraging healthy habits early in life. Regular physical activity in childhood sets the stage for healthy growth and for a healthy adulthood.”

Powell River now home to B.C.’s first bike library for youth

Chris’s diligence – combined with the hard work of each of the stakeholders and partners – has paid off. Powell River recently installed its first dedicated bike lane in town.  Not only that, the city of almost 14,000 on the upper Sunshine Coast can now also lay claim to establishing the first kids’ bike library in B.C. The library, which now has 20 bikes for kids in elementary school,  was started by School District 47, teachers at Brooks Secondary and students in the Brooks mountain bike club. Additional community fundraising helped to buy 10 new bikes for the high school.

“Although walking and cycling are excellent ways to get our daily activity, without good infrastructure and supports – for most of us it remains on a scrap pile of our undone new year’s resolutions,” says Claire Gram, VCH’s Policy Consultant & Healthy Built Environment Lead.

Chris, however, credits Powell River City Council and staff  “for working towards a healthy and sustainable community, and for improving the safety and comfort of all road users, including those who are most vulnerable.”

Of the many bike events over the last few years that Chris has organized, this year’s recent Bike to Work week remains a highlight. At James Thomson elementary (which has 210 students), about one in seven kids biked to school as did about half the teaching and school staff while many more walked or scooted.

“Even most of those who bus, and live too far to ride, brought their bikes for the week , which were stored in the gym,” recalls Chris. “Over 150 kids had bikes at school for the week’s activities, plus staff bikes, plus 11 bikes from the bike library, for 175 bikes in total.”

Thanks to the bike library, every student at the school was able to participate in the teaching sessions.

“On every break the playground was a hive of bikes and activity,” says Chris. “We also taught four kids to ride without training wheels, and many more tried. It was a day I won’t soon forget. I expect the kids won’t either.”

Click here for more information on cycling in Powell River.

More than 150 kids cycled to James Thomson Elementary in Powell River during Bike to Work week earlier this year.