| Where: | Mode of Transport: | Type of intervention: |
| Various | Cycling | Outreach, Commuter Education, Cycling Awareness |
Background
This year, Bike Month took place from June 1 to June 30 across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Bike Month is an annual celebration of all things cycling, with various group rides, webinars, and contests taking place throughout the month.
The Opportunity
As one of the three campaign months, Bike Month offers Smart Commute workplaces an opportunity to encourage and support employee commuting to/from work via bike. The webinars, events/outreaches, and the challenges as part of Bike Month help employees prepare for starting their cycling season if they haven’t already, and to join others in building the practice of cycling to/from work.
How pointA helped
pointA celebrated Bike Month by hosting outreaches, leading cycling ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions, and by attending Bike Month events. This year, we also attended two Community Environment Days hosted by City of Toronto Councillors and joined Metrolinx at their Bike Month Pop-up event in the Jane/Finch area.
During outreaches at Smart Commute Workplaces and Community Environment Days, pointA supported cycling commuters and recreational riders get ready for bike season with maps, cycling guides, and bike gear. Attendees were able to grab free resources such as such as Toronto and York Region Cycling Maps, Cycling Skills, and York Region Trail guides.
Bike Month was an opportunity to host our beloved ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions. These targeted sessions are hosted exclusively for Smart Commute Workplaces. Employees can enjoy lunch, while learning about different sustainable commuting options. These in-person sessions are a great opportunity for pointA to connect with Smart Commute Workplace employees and provide them with customized commuting support. Keeping in theme, our topic this month was ‘Urban Cycling and Route Planning’, which was presented to employees at Yonge Sheppard Centre.
Attendees were also encouraged to take part in Bike Month by cycling and logging their trip on the Smart Commute app during the month of June. To support other regions and TMAs, we promoted cycling events and webinars taking place across the region.
Results
Overall, this year’s Bike Month can be considered a huge success as pointA had the unique opportunity to support Smart Commute Workplace employees, and the public during the Community Environment Days. As a result, we were able to serve a diverse range of cyclists and reach new audiences.
Events held throughout the month
Participants engaging with the booth
Resources on sustainable commuting distributed
Prizes won by attendees
We hosted Bike Month events and created programming for the following clients:
- Parkway Place – Tabling Event and a Bike Mechanic Tune-Up Session
- York University – Tabling Event
- Town of Oakville – Bike-To-Work Day Tabling Event
- Yonge Sheppard Centre – Lunch & Learn Presentation on Urban Cycling
- Steeles Technology Campus – Tabling Event
- City of Vaughan – Bike Month Bonanza (Community Bike Ride and Tabling Event)
- Community Environment Days – Tabling Events
- Metrolinx – Pop-up Bike Clinic Tabling Event
To take part in next year’s Bike Month celebrations, look out for announcements on pointA’s Twitter and Instagram. Interested in joining Smart Commute and having your organization take part in Bike Month 2025? Schedule a free 15-minute call today to learn more.