TORONTO, May 25, 2012 /CNW/ - On Monday, May 28, commuters across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will hop on their bicycles and make cycling part of their commute to work.
Since 2008, Metrolinx and Smart Commute's Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) have teamed up to organize and promote Bike to Work Day events across the GTHA, to inspire and motivate people to be more active in their commutes, and make cycling part of their daily journey to work or school.
Cycling has many benefits as a form of active transportation. It improves overall health, contributes to fitness, eases traffic congestion, and reduces personal environmental impact and commuting costs.
"Year over year, we've seen a steady increase in the number of people who are making cycling part of their daily commute," says Mark Singh, manager of Metrolinx's Smart Commute. Bike to Work Day provides people who have been thinking about trying cycling with the chance to learn more and find a community of friends and colleagues who already cycle."
Smartcommute.ca is the online source for important information about commuting by bicycle in the GTHA. With one click, people can access route maps, instructional safety videos, tips on forming Bicycle User Groups, and information about taking bicycles on transit.
"A lot of people think they can't bike to work because it's too far," says Singh, "but with bike racks now common on public transit vehicles across the GTHA, it's easy to make cycling a part of their commute, even if it's only for one segment of the journey."
In 2011, Smart Commute introduced the Bike to Work Day Pledge, an online tool that allows people to declare their commitment to ride to work, or help friends and colleagues ride to work. For 2012, when people take the Bike to Work Day Pledge, they have the chance to win one of two great prizes including a trip to Quebec City courtesy of VIA Rail, Official Sponsor of Bike to Work Day 2012. On Bike to Work Day, social media will light up with real-life bike tales as people from across the GTHA share their experiences and photos on Flickr, Facebook and Twitter with the #biketoworkday hashtag.
Smart Commute's 11 local offices are coordinating Bike to Work Day events across the GTHA, including group rides, breakfasts, and meet 'n' greets with elected officials, local businesses and cycling experts and enthusiasts. Review the attached list for full details.
About Smart Commute
Smart Commute is a program of Metrolinx and the municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area whose goal is to ease gridlock, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while making commuting less expensive and more enjoyable. To date, more than 244 employers with 588,000 employees have signed on to the Smart Commute program and are designated as Smart Commute workplaces. For more information, visit www.smartcommute.ca.
About Metrolinx
Metrolinx is the Province of Ontario's regional transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The organization's mission is to champion, develop and implement an integrated transportation system for our region that enhances prosperity, sustainability and quality of life.
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A List of BIKE TO WORK DAY events around the GTHA:
Smart Commute Durham
Bike to Work Day
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 7 to 9 a.m. and 12 to 2 p.m.
Location: Durham Regional Headquarters, 605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, ON L1N 6A3
Durham Region Headquarters staff and members of the public will be welcomed in the morning by staff of Smart Commute Durham at the bike racks and can enjoy a light snack. During the lunch hours, a number of exhibitors will be on hand to discuss cycling, including: Durham Regional Police Services, Durham Region Transit, Impala Bikes, The Town of Whitby Rec Centre and the United Way of Durham. All participants will receive a Smart Commute Durham water bottle. Event will take place rain or shine!
Smart Commute Hamilton
Bike to Work Day - Gore Park Celebration
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Location: Gore Park (across from 1 James Street South)
On May 28, all routes lead to the Gore Park Cycling Celebration in downtown Hamilton. Come together before work to fuel-up on free healthy snacks and beverages. Win a prize, get biking tips, meet friendly cyclists, then head off to work. Get there on your own or by joining a guided Group Ride. Find the Group Ride closest to you at: www.smartcommutehamilton.ca/en/home
Smart Commute Central York
Smart Commute Central York's 6th Annual Bike to Work Day
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Who: Join the Bike to Work Day celebrations with Regional Councillor John Taylor, Councillor Jane Twinney, Councillor Chris Emanuel, and Councillor Joe Sponga
Location: Riverwalk Commons Park - Newmarket Community Centre
200 Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket
Eat, meet and greet at Newmarket's new park, Riverwalk Commons. A free continental breakfast, great giveaways and draw prizes including the grand prize of a bike, donated by Spoke O'Motion! Visit with exhibitors: BikeSports, Investors Group, McCallum Massage Therapy, Spoke O'Motion, Tap'd In Mobile, The Mobile Bike Shop, York Region Public Health, York Region Planning and Development Services, and YRT/Viva. Refreshments courtesy of Pickle Barrel and Starbucks. Continue the day's celebrations from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. with complimentary appetizers at Cachet Restaurant at 500 Water Street.
Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill
5th Annual Bike to Work Day Event - Group Ride
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
| Group Ride Location: |
(Start) MMM Group: 100 Commerce Valley Drive W, Thornhill (Water break) HDR: 100 York Blvd., Richmond Hill (End) MMM Group: 100 Commerce Valley Drive W, Thornhill |
Join Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill's 5th Annual Bike to Work Day Event! The six-kilometre police escorted group ride around the Hwy. 7 and Leslie corridor is an excellent chance to discover how cycling to work, even occasionally, can save you money while reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality and your overall health. Great prizes to be won, including a brand new $430 bike. Visit www.smartcommutemrh.ca for details and registration.
Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughn (NTV)
Bike to Work Day at York University
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Harry Arthurs Common (at the fountain across from Vari Hall), York University
4700 Keele Street, Toronto
Bike to school or work on May 28 for a free bike safety check-up, courtesy of Curbside Cycle! Bring your bike to the fountain in The Common (across from Vari Hall in the bus loop) and get a free Bike to Work Day t-shirt while quantities last. Smart Commute NTV will give out 2012 cycling maps, snacks, and sign up members for the York U Bicycle User Group. www.SmartCommuteNTV.ca
Bike to Work Day Ride-Along
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 12 noon
Who: Councillor Anthony Perruzz (Ward 8 York West)
Location: Starting point at southeast corner of The Pond Road and Sentinel Road
Smart Commute NTV will host a ride-along the Finch Corridor Trail, with Councillor Anthony Perruzza in attendance to launch the trail for his ward. Cyclists will go from York University, west to Norfinch Drive and then return. This ride only takes in the west section of the Finch Corridor trail.
Smart Commute Toronto-Central
Bike Month Group Commute and Pancake Breakfast
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 7:00 to 10 a.m.
Who: Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong will speak at the event on behalf of Mayor Ford
Location: Nathan Philips Square, City Hall, Toronto
This event is organized by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Cyclists Union. Commuters from around the city will meet and ride together from multiple start points and converge at Yonge and Bloor at 7:30 a.m. City start points are staffed with ride coordinators and a Police escort. Riders will receive a Bike Month t-shirt plus a complimentary breakfast at City Hall (while supplies last).
Group Commute Start Points
City Start Points:
7 a.m. Bloor and High Park
7 a.m. Yonge and Lawrence
7 a.m. Danforth and Woodbine
7:30 a.m. Bloor and Yonge
8 a.m. Arrive at City Hall
Community Start Points:
6:45 a.m. Don Mills and Lawrence
6:30 a.m. Humber River Waterfront Trail Thunderbird Bridge
Smart Commute Mississauga
6th Annual Bike to Work Day
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Who: Join Bike to Work Day Celebrations with Councillor Chris Fonseca, Councillor Ron Star
Location: Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Ride your bike to the new Celebration Square and enjoy a free breakfast, bike safety tune-ups, fun prizes and see the CrazECrew Stunt Team's BMX Show! Visit www.smartcommutemiss.ca for full details.
Smart Commute Halton
The 1st Annual City-Wide Bike to Work Day Breakfast
When: May 28, 2012
Time: 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Who: Join Bike to Work Day celebrations with Mayor of Burlington, Rick Goldring, Regional Chair Gary Carr -- both attending and providing remarks
Location: Corner of Elgin St. and Brant St., Burlington
A community celebration of Bike to Work Day, which includes a free breakfast and bike tune-up kits, community displays, and lots of great prizes. Visit www.smartcommutehalton.ca for details.
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For more information about Bike to Work Day and cycling in the GTHA, visit www.smartcommute.ca.
Media inquiries: Vanessa Thomas, (416) 871-5974, or Malon Edwards, (416) 874-5945
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