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City encourages to pedal power during Bike Month

'Biking is a fantastic way to travel to school, to work, and to make those short trips to the local store,' says city official
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NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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The province proclaims the month of June each year as Ontario Bike Month.

Bike Month is an opportunity to try riding a bike for the first time, learn new cycling skills, or get out on the trails and connect with people. This year, Bike Month takes place from May 30 to June 30.

Biking is a form of active transportation that benefits our health, society, transportation systems, environment and economy. The city encourages residents who have never tried cycling to try it in June. If you already cycle on a regular basis, try out a new bike path or trail using the city’s active transportation map. Bike Month is also an ideal time for students to try biking to school. 

“By taking part in Bike Month, we encourage residents to explore the city using their bicycle and re-imagine their daily routine to see if some trips could be made by cycling instead of by car,” says Brett Gratrix, senior project manager, transportation planning. “Biking is a fantastic way to travel to school, to work, and to make those short trips to the local store.”

By law, cyclists under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet. For children aged 16 and under, a parent or guardian must ensure they wear a helmet. A helmet is strongly recommended if you are 18 or over. Drivers must also watch for cyclists, slow down and leave them space. When passing a cyclist, drivers should maintain a minimum distance of one metre between their vehicle and the cyclist.

Barrie’s Active Transportation Strategy 

The city is focusing on the development of a comprehensive and connected cycling network following Barrie’s Active Transportation Strategy. This work is being completed in two ways: large transportation capital projects where reconstruction is occurring on corridors; and road right-sizing, which involves re-balancing road space to create room for cycling lanes.

Last year, the city implemented six kilometres of cycling infrastructure with another 11 km targeted for completion in 2022. Notable large capital projects include Big Bay Point Road (Bayview Drive to Huronia Road), Mapleview Drive (Madelaine Drive to Yonge Street) and Bell Farm Road (St. Vincent Street to Duckworth Street). Additionally, the city is planning to undertake road right-sizing on Johnson Street, Little Avenue, Hanmer Street East and segments of Bayview Drive this upcoming construction season.

To learn more about these projects and upcoming plans, visit barrie.ca/ActiveTransportation.

Bike the Night event: Sept. 17

Mark your calendars and save the date. The city’s first-ever Bike the Night event will take place on Sept. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. This event, taking place downtown and along the lakeshore path, invites residents and their families to participate in a lighted, community-guided bike ride. The event will also include a pre-ride festival with music, food trucks, free bike tune-ups, games, giveaways, prizes and Barrie Transit bike demos. The event is being planned by the city’s Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee.

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