The Tripleshot Cycling Club has cancelled its 10th annual CrossFondo cycling event in Central Saanich. The decision comes after new traffic safety requirements made the race financially unfeasible.
Club officials said updated rules require professional traffic control at every intersection, even where cyclists have the right of way. This change could quadruple costs compared to last year.
Club president Erin Jalilian said the cancellation is disappointing. She noted the event began nine years ago to raise funds for the club’s youth program and grew into one of the province’s most popular cycling events.
Course director Lister Farrar added that rerouting the course was not an option. With just a month until the event, he said discussions with landowners are required year-round, and access for the race depends on these agreements.
The club stressed safety has always been a priority. Paid traffic control staff manage intersections where needed, and trained volunteers cover areas where cyclists have the right of way. Following the death of longtime participant Lindsay Burgess last year, the club dedicated hundreds of hours to improving safety protocols.
Central Saanich officials say their policies have not changed but are now enforced more strictly. Organizers were told early in the permitting season that additional professional traffic control would be required.
“The policies themselves remain unchanged,” said a district spokesperson. “We are being more rigorous in ensuring compliance with existing standards due to repeated issues with inadequate traffic control and late applications.”
Officials noted that the CrossFondo organizers submitted their permit in August and did not provide proper certified traffic management plans. Central Saanich Police have also been called to manage traffic at past events, stretching resources and raising safety concerns.
While the cycling club says the extra costs are unsustainable, the district insists the rules are necessary to protect participants and the public. “Road races are complex and require careful planning,” the spokesperson said. “We value community events and want to support organizers, but public safety comes first.”
The 10th annual CrossFondo was scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19. Earlier this summer, the Elk Lake Triathlon was also cancelled due to similar traffic safety concerns.
The club expressed regret for the cancellation and thanked participants and volunteers for their continued support. Organizers say they hope to return next year if safety requirements can be met without compromising financial sustainability.
