Phillip LeBlond says he rents purple bikes out from “break up to freeze up”. Well, it’s been a weird spring. Putting an

Philippe rides the purple “chopper”, now on display at the BYTE office!

exact date on the river breaking up is nearly impossible. But don’t despair. The sun has come out and the time has finally arrived: the purple bikes are ready to go.

Phillipe has been running the purple bike project for over a decade, fixing and tweaking old bikes, slathering them in purple paint and renting them out to anyone who wants an inexpensive and green form of transportation in Whitehorse when the roads are bare. It’s an obvious labour of love for this local bike mechanic/metal artist. He even names each bicycle: first, it was after gods. Then cheese, and now he’s starting to name them after the periodic table of elements.

Last August BYTE (in cooperation with Phillipe and the Boys and Girls club of Whitehorse) was lucky to have the opportunity to take over the Purple Bikes Project. The project fits perfectly within our own green office mandate, and we’re excited to extend our eco-friendly attitude beyond our front doors.

“This project is unique to the Yukon and we’re so honoured to be part of it,” says Chris Rider, BYTE’s Executive Director. “ It’s inexpensive, eco-friendly, community-oriented and promotes active living. What more could we ask for?”

You can rent a purple bike for only $75 a season. There’s also a $75 deposit that you will get back when you return the bike in good condition. Come to the BYTE office (2-407 Ogilvie Street) during our office hour (9 am-4:30 pm) with $150 (cash or cheque) and cruise away with your own purple bike for the season. Our fleet of bikes are refurbished commuter bikes and Phillipe has put a lot of time into making sure each one is ready for the road.

Please feel free to contact us here at BYTE to learn more about the project. Happy biking!