Markham encourages residents to explore city by bike, share photos to win prizes

Sign up for cycling challenges until Sept. 30

Yorkregion.com
August 4, 2020

Markham Cycles More is making it fun for people to get outside and get active on their bikes while practising physical distancing this summer.

The City of Markham’s Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee have partnered with The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) to create this new initiative, which runs until Sept. 30.

Participants can sign up for cycling challenges to explore Markham by bike. To participate, you need to sign up and set a summer cycling goal at www.markhamcycles.ca.

Eight photo stop locations will be announced every two weeks. Participants can ride to any of the photo stops and take a photo of your bike at the location, then post it on social media using the hashtag #MarkhamCyclesMore and tagging @MarkhamCycles, or you can email your photo to markhamcycles@cleanairpartnership.org.

“I am extremely proud of Markham Council and staff for making it a priority to keep our parks and trails open during the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding that it is important for people to spend time outdoors,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

Cycling is a great way to keep fit and get some fresh air while keeping a safe physical distance during the pandemic, Scarpitti added, and this exciting scavenger hunt celebrates all that our community has to offer.

He encouraged everyone to get involved.

The inaugural cycling challenge was themed “Markham’s Major Trails + One,” and the prizes included a gift card to the Boiler Room. From July 8 to 23, participants were encouraged to visit various sites across the city, including Berczy Park Bridge, Huntington Trail, Rouge National Urban Park and Rouge Valley Trail Park.

The “+ One” refers to Enterprise Boulevard, which is only open for cycling, walking and wheeling traffic on Sundays and statutory holidays throughout the summer, as part of Markham’s Get Active COVID-19 response initiative.

The second theme, now currently underway, is Art in Markham. You can take a photo with your bike at locations like Milliken Community Centre, Cathedral of the Transfiguration and Markham Museum from now until Aug. 6.

Although Varley Art Gallery, Cathedral of the Transfiguration and Pride of Canada Carousel are currently not open to the public, they can still be viewed from the outside.

“People are showing more interest in cycling this summer because there’s less traffic and fewer organized activities,” says Markham Cycles manager Yvonne Verlinden.

As the city continues to improve the trails, bike lanes and cycle tracks, City of Markham staff are looking for the public’s feedback on where infrastructure is missing and where adjustments and improvements can be made.

The public is encouraged to submit their suggestions for improvements to Markham’s Cycling Network along with their photo submission.

Multiple submissions (one per photo stop location) are acceptable and each submission counts as one entry into the draw.

All submissions will be entered into a draw to win prizes from local Markham businesses. Draws will take place every two weeks, when a new theme and a new set of photo-stop locations will be announced.

More details and maps of exact photo stop locations can be found on www.markhamcycles.ca.