Corp Comm Connects

Monday's Bike To Work Day to incorporate part of Hwy. 7

Yorkregion.com
May 27, 2016
By Amanda Persico

Bike to Work Day is Monday and for the first time, the free group ride, run through the Smart Commute program provincewide, will travel along Hwy. 7.

“We’ve always just crossed Hwy. 7,” said Smart Commute Markham Richmond Hill program director, Flo McLellan.

This year, a 1.5-km stretch was added to include cycling along Leslie Street and Hwy. 7 - making use of the region’s bike lanes and green bike boxes.

“The region spent time and effort on the construction of those bike lanes and bike boxes,” she said.

While Hwy. 7 may seem daunting, it’s a great experience for any cyclist, McLellan said.

“I’m not a cyclist,” McLellan said of her trial ride. “And I was fine. Now, I can speak honestly riding along Hwy. 7.”

Instead of cycling as a pack, riders will be staggered into smaller groups led by experienced cyclists.

Along with travelling along Hwy. 7, cyclists will travel through David Hamilton Park along the path system that connects with West Beaver Creek Road - another Bike to Work Day first.
Trails are another avenue for those cyclists not yet comfortable on the roads.

Cycling isn’t just for sport. Going to the corner store for milk or on other errands or dropping children off at school is on the rise.

Bike to Work day also kicks off Bike Month - June 1 to 30 - during which people are encouraged to log their bike trips, trips to the grocery store, to school and to work for a chance to win a number of prizes.

The Bike to Work ride starts 7:30 a.m. at MMM Group Ltd., 100 Commerce Valley Dr. W.

The event also includes free demonstrations, such as stretching and soft tissue therapy and bike safety and tune-ups.

YRT/Viva will also be on hand teaching cyclists how to use the bike racks attached to some of the region’s buses.

York Regional Police will also be promoting the Road Watch program, in which cyclists, along with drivers and residents are encouraged to report aggressive driving.

“Cyclists should be aware if someone cuts you off you have some place to report it,” McLellan said.