Hey BESTies!
Welcome to the October edition of our newsletter 🍂

What’s in this issue?

• 🌟 Passionate about supporting sustainable transportation? Become a BESTie today!

• 🚶‍♀️ Explore history with Hogan’s Alley Society in our final WALKTober Walk, Oct, 25. RSVP on MeetUp or Eventbrite.

• 🍂 Check out our latest WALKtober blogs about the benefits of cold weather walking and how walking can take the form of democratic expression on our site now!

• 📚 Register here for an Eco-Voyage Workshop on multimodal transportation and commute with confidence for Climate Action Week.

• 🚲 Ride into fall with the Bike Valet at our autumn location!

• 🚌 Learn how our Seniors on the Move team continues to center the needs of seniors in our transportation system.

Passionate about supporting Sustainable Transportation? Become a BESTie today! 🚉

By becoming a BESTie, you’re keeping sustainable transportation moving forward in communities across British Columbia. When you join as a member of BEST, you’re helping people stay connected, lowering emissions, and building stronger and healthier communities. Every contribution brings us closer to making sustainable and accessible transportation a reality for everyone.

✨Become a BESTie Today here!

We greatly appreciate your support!

1 Day left to join WALKTober - Reclaim Space: Hogan’s Alley Society x BEST🚶

Join us for our final WALKtober walk of the month on Saturday, October 25th at 12:00pm. Step through time and explore the history and heart of Vancouver’s first Black neighbourhood with our fourth WALKtober walk, Reclaim Space: Hogan’s Alley Society x BEST.

Join us for a guided walking tour led by Hogan’s Alley Society, bringing this history to life. Learn about former residents such as Nora Hendrix and Vie Moore, visit significant sites in Hogan’s Alley and the broader Strathcona neighbourhood, and gain insight into what life was like in this vibrant community. The walk will also highlight the work Hogan’s Alley Society is doing today—including the community land trust being developed on the historic Hogan’s Alley Block—and how this legacy continues to shape Vancouver’s Black community.

🌿 Sign up now on MeetUp or Eventbrite and don’t forget your umbrella! ☔

📍 Meeting Point: Main St & Union St, by 209 Union St, the blue building 🚌 Transit Access: 10 Minute Walk from Main Street - Science World on the Expo Line

WALKTober so far!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our September Burnaby Lake walk and three previous WALKtober walks. From visiting ancient trees in Stanley Park, strolling along the waterfront to Diwali Fest in New Westminster, or exploring how walking can transform public space into platforms for expression in Vancouver, everyone kept the fall vibes high amidst some rainy weather 🌧️.

Check out the WALKtober blogs on our site to learn more about the benefits of cold weather walking or discover the history of movement-based advocacy in Vancouver and how walkability, public space, and democratic expression are intertwined.

Join our Living Streets Meetup Group to stay tuned for future walks!

Eco-Voyage x Climate Action Week 📚🌎

Are you a newcomer to Vancouver? Climate Action Week is coming soon, and to celebrate, the BEST team has been invited to deliver our Eco-Voyage workshop at VPL South Hill Branch on November 6th. Sign up below!

Whether you are new to Vancouver or curious about how using different modes of transportation can enhance your commutes, this free workshop is for you!

Build your knowledge and confidence when navigating Vancouver’s transportation system, and learn practical skills and resources to move around sustainably.

Participants will also receive promo codes for bike-share 🚲 and car-share🚗 services by answering our survey! What are you waiting for?

🌟 Register here: Thursday, November 6th: VPL South Hill Branch | 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Cycle and Roll through Fall with the Bike Valet 🚲🛴

While the weather may be getting colder, the Bike Valet is still making it easy to cycle and roll to your favourite events around Vancouver!

Visit us this fall!

• Vancouver Whitecaps vs Dallas FC Playoff Game - October 26th @ BC Place

Plan your ride and see where we’ll be next! Check our event calendar here.

Seniors on the Move: Centering Seniors in our Transportation System 🚌

In recognition of the International Day of Older Adults on October 1st, our Seniors on the Move (SOTM) team focused on raising awareness about one of the biggest challenges for seniors: transportation.

On October 5th, Farinaz Rikhtehgaran, Project Manager at BEST, spoke about the importance of transportation for older adults during the Transportation Panel at the 75th Conference of the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations (COSCO) in Richmond. Sharing the work of SOTM alongside TransLink, BC Transit, and the BC Rural Health Network, Farinaz highlighted the current state of transportation for seniors in BC and showcased community-based programs that help older adults stay connected and prevent isolation.

Later in October, the SOTM team, in partnership with United Way BC Healthy Aging, hosted a symposium on seniors’ transportation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) Conference in Montreal. Speakers from across BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario shared insights on transportation as a key factor in seniors’ health and independence. Discussions focused on improving access to transportation services, building capacity among senior-serving organizations, and advocating for more sustainable funding and attention to seniors transportation needs.