Celebrating Cycling in June

Huron Perth, ON – June is Bike Month, a celebration of cycling. It is an opportunity to try riding a bike for the first time, or to build cycling into your routine. “Building cycling into your routine could mean riding just for fun, or leaving the car at home and taking a bike to school, work, the store, or an event,” says Adrienne Adas, Public Health Promoter at Huron Perth Public Health. “As a form of active transportation, cycling has many benefits including promoting healthier lifestyles, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

To kick off Bike Month, Huron Perth Public Health and members of the City of Stratford’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) are organizing an event on Saturday, June 3 in Upper Queen’s Park, Stratford. The event takes place from 9:00 to 11:30am. Residents are invited to bring their bikes to the park where Richard Monette Way (the road that circles the park) will be closed to cars and open to cyclists.  Activities will take place throughout the morning, including:

• Helmet fitting,
• Bike registration,
• Try-Us-Out Ride for adults at 9:30 AM, hosted by Cycle Stratford (helmets required; arrive at 9:15am to sign a waiver if not a Cycle Stratford member),
• Safety Super Hero Kids Ride with Stratford Police (kids are encouraged to dress up as a super hero for the event; helmets required), and
• For kids, a photo opportunity with a police officer.

There will be a prize for every child who attends, and a draw for a bicycle prize pack. In addition, free copies of the new Stratford, St. Marys & Perth County Cycle Map will be available.

Looking for other ways to enjoy bike riding this June and throughout the summer? There are various cycling amenities in Huron and Perth counties, including dedicated bike lanes and multi-use trails, bike racks, and repair stations.