'It's just human power': Newmarket celebrates Bike Day

Cyclists enjoy festivities for 15th annual event at Riverwalk Commons

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 2, 2023
Joseph Quigley

Newmarket cyclists gathered to celebrate their favoured transportation at the 15th annual Bike Day event this morning at Riverwalk Commons.

About 100 people attended the event hosted by Smart Commute Central York. Cyclists could ride through to enjoy a free breakfast and booths set up by various groups and vendors relating to cycling.

Smart Commute Central York is a program of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce. President and CEO Chris Emanuel said he was pleased to see people taking part.

“People realize, more and more, how important cycling is for the environment but for health, as well,” he said. “It was tough to get bikes during COVID with the supply chain. It’s great to see the momentum coming back.”

The event, previously known as Bike to Work Day, invites residents to commute using bikes. It coincides with Bike Month, a celebration of cycling across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Mayor John Taylor said 15 years is an amazing milestone. He added that promoting cycling is important to fight climate change.

“The town really recognizes the need for change. I think that’s at the core of what we’re doing,” Taylor said to the crowd. “We need to change the way we move around our communities. We need to ensure we got a sustainable future.”

Several organizations and businesses attended, including Crossroads Chiropractic. Dr. Josh Nikkanen said he has been cycling for most of his life.

“I love the fitness, the activity level,” he said. “It’s just human power.”

Myles Cullen, owner of Spoke O'Motion, one of the event sponsors, said cycling is a way to help repair some of the social fabric damaged during the pandemic.

“It's an opportunity for us to come together,” he said. “We all share this Earth that we’re giving to our kids and our kids’ kids, and we have a responsibility to take up that mantle and do better.”

Advocacy group Cycle Newmarket was also present. The group promotes cycling in town and had pushed municipalities to take more action to improve cycling infrastructure, but has butted heads with the town in recent years over a stall on an active transportation implementation plan.

Member Dave Kempton said Newmarket took a step “backward” with the move, but they intend to promote cycling through the town’s official plan update process.

“We’re encouraging people to get involved,” Kempton said. “We’ll be there making presentations”

Emanuel said cycling has an important impact on the environment and the roads and Newmarket has plenty of cycling trails.

This year featured shirts with a motto that every day is Bike Day. That is an energy Taylor said residents should carry forward.

“It’s critical we carry it beyond the day itself,” he said. “Cycle on, Newmarket.”