June is Bike Month!

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Happy Bike Month from CultureLink!

As Bike Month ramps up, so do the cycling projects at CultureLink!

Bike Hub at 15 Tobermory Drive

The team at the Bike Hub continues to support local cyclists and provide new opportunities to those who wish to cycle and learn about bike repair.

As with all other programmings, the Bike Hub has had to adapt during the COVID pandemic. Bike repair sessions have been replaced with contactless drop-off days, with all repairs, tune-ups and parts provided at no cost to clients. They also provide online repair clinics and jewelry-making workshops while upcycling waste such as bicycle tubes.

Looking ahead, the Bike Hub has several projects focused on expanding access to bikes, bike repair and skills development for youth, for a very busy summer. These include a bike mechanic training program in the Lawrence Heights community, a new bike repair workspace in the Grandravine community, bike repair “pop-up” stations and the start of weekly group rides.

This is what it looks like when the Bike Hub diverts almost 1000 lbs from the landfill! Here you can see a scrap metal collector driving away with the metal that couldn’t be salvaged as bike parts for repairs.

Meet Elijah Nangwale, one of the Bike Hub cycling educators. Here he is proudly showing the two bikes he fixed so that they can be donated to clients. Elijah is only 16 and credits the Bike Hub for having matured a lot in the last few years and learning valuable life skills in mechanics and cycling.

Mississauga Cycles Project

For the Mississauga Cycles project, in partnership with Peel Multicultural Council, the focus is launching the annual Mentorship Program, matching over 30 newcomers with bikes, equipment, skills training and mentors to support their cycling journey and connection to their community. With the “Bike Days” now complete, mentors and mentees can begin to enjoy small group rides as well as the many workshops and activities taking place throughout Bike Month. Mississauga Cycles contributes to this programming too, offering a weekly series of public bike workshops online, all throughout the month of June.

More activities are planned as COVID restrictions are reduced, including the return of bike “pop-up” stations, providing free bike repair and bike accessories at local parks and farmers markets; group rides and outdoor bike repair sessions.

Getting newcomers processed for the Mississauga Cycles Mentorship Program “Bike Days” is a four-step system: COVID safety and forms, bike equipment and helmet fit, bike fit and a skills assessment!

Each newcomer takes a pledge to ride their bike and, with their mentor, discover new amenities, programs and services in their community.