March 23, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – The first annual Vancouver Bike show took place March 19-20 at the Vancouver Convention Center, featuring manufacturers, retailers, and special cycling events. The bike show was held concurrently with the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure and Travel show, and attracted much attention; exhibitor booths buzzed with customers checking out the latest bikes and cycling accessories.

Among the exhibitors were manufacturers such as Rocky Mountain, Marin, Giant, Shimano and Commencal, all showcasing their 2011 product lines including road, mountain, urban, electric bikes and other products. The show had special treats for spectators with trials stars Steve Dickin and Jeff Anderson staging crowd-pleasing demos on Saturday, with Ryan Leach taking over the stage on Sunday. Kids three to eight ripped up the floor in the Shimano kid-zone race course on both days; the first ten kids registered to race scored free Nutcase helmets.

Bicycle retailers included the likes of Velocity Cycles, Different Bikes, Skiis and Biikes, JV Bikes, Cambie Cycles, Dunbar Cycles and others all showing off their products to consumers. Cambie Cycles attracted crowds with a broad array of eye-catching bright red and yellow recumbents. Meanwhile EcoDrive displayed electric bikes and scooters, and got customer heart rates up riding stationary bikes hooked up to computers displaying the watts generated.

“We’re stoked to be at the show and display some of the products that we carry. It’s fantastic to meet so many people who are excited about biking whether for fitness, commuting, pleasure or extreme gravity bending. I’m hoping that more of the bigger manufacturers will get behind it and let it grow into a larger event and show off more everyday bikes instead of just the high ticket stuff,” commented Velocity owner Travis Peterson.

Cycling clothing and accessories were also quite popular with attendees. Nutcase Helmets showed its stylish line of lids, and EVOC had its most talked-about product, the bike travel bag, on display along with scores of other specialty sport travel bags. Suarez jerseys were a popular item, and Urban Racks displayed bike storage solutions. Women were not to be denied as Loeka was in attendance displaying its line of women’s sport clothing, including stylish cycling jerseys and shorts, while Mud Bunnies, a North-Vancouver based all-women’s mountain bike club, had a booth set up to recruit new members.

Event organizers were also in attendance including well-known cycling charity rides like the Ride to Conquer Cancer and Cyclebetes. RBC GranFondo Whistler, Momar adventure race, and the Vancouver Cycling Coalition all had a presence, encouraging attendees to get out on their bikes.

For all who attended, Vancouver’s first annual bike show was a hit, despite taking place on a weekend featuring a rare sunny Sunday in March, which had many Vancouverites wanting to spend their day outside.

“The 1st annual Vancouver Bike Show was a huge success this past weekend. Finally, we created a first class consumer bike show in a hotbed of Canada’s cycling universe, with over 50 dedicated exhibitors showcasing and selling the best bikes for 2011,” said Fred Cox Jr. from National Event Management Inc., producers of the show.

“Exhibitors, representing both manufacturers and retailers, plus many industry events and bike accessory suppliers were thrilled with the huge attendance of serious riders who visited the show. After the success of this event, and with the immediate requests for new and increased exhibit space, we hope to double the size of the show in 2012.”