Ontario Cycling, Ontario Provincial Police, New Hope Community Bikes (Hamilton) & Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service are excited to partner together to deliver on-bike youth programming and bicycle resources to 5 James Bay indigenous communities in the new year. With shared values of promoting physical health, safe road users and focusing on children to develop life-long habits, the Ontario Cycling HopOn curriculum and Ride Smart Cycling Education will be showcased in each community.
Members of Ontario Cycling, Ontario Provincial Police and New Hope Community Bikes are ready to travel 300 kilometres on-fat bike from community-community (Attawapiskat First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Moosonee & Moose Cree First Nation) from March 5th – 11th 2023.
Along with the program delivery, our intention is to create capacity within each community, with the long-term goal of establishing a continuing youth bike program and a sustainable bike mechanic shop. Between organizations, ten (10) fat bikes and bike maintenance repair kits will be left behind for each community to continue using once the program has concluded. As these resources will provide accessible and sustainable transportation, they will also act as a great medium for children and youth to experience physical health while learning transferrable skills.
These three organizations look forward to this 300km on bike-adventure, youth development initiative and partnering with each northern indigenous community from Sunday March 5th – Saturday March 11th, 2023.
Author: Alex Roger