Ontario Supports Share the Road 2016 Greg’s Ride

Queens Park sent prominent Ministers to indicate importance of cycling in Ontario. Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca (MPP Vaughan), his Parliamentary Assistant Daiene Vernile (MPP Kitchener-Centre), Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon (MPP Burlington) and Associate Minister of Education (Early Years and Child Care) Indira Naidoo-Harris (MPP Halton) kicked off this important fund raising event. Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Kathryn McGarry (MPP Cambridge) stopped by before the opening remarks, to lend her support.

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Greg’s Ride Official Opening dignitaries: Share the Road Executive Director Jamie Stuckless, MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister Eleanor McMahon, Minister Steven Del Duca, MPP Daiene Vernile and sponsor Liam McGinty from Insurance Bureau of Canada.

The 11th Annual Greg’s Ride was held Sept 25, 2016 in Milton.

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Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca accepts the “Brampton Sandwich” with good grace, when he poses between BikeBrampton members David Laing and Dayle Laing. We thanked him for the cycling infrastructure grants which we have received in Brampton. He assured us that his ministry intends to commit more!

Greg’s Ride History

“In 2006, OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart was killed while cycling on Tremaine Road in Milton. After Greg’s death, his wife Eleanor McMahon founded the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in his memory to advocate for safer roads for all Ontarions.”

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Minister of Tourism, Cultural and Sport Eleanor McMahon and BikeBrampton Chair David Laing. Eleanor keeps tabs on all cycling activities in the province. She even called in during our Bike the Creek event! Of course, Eleanor also cycled in Greg’s Ride.

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Team BikeBrampton sent a modest representation since Greg’s Ride date conflicted with our Community Ride 11.

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One cannot underestimate the value of teaching our kids to Share the Road at a young age! Great to see the children participating in Greg’s Ride.

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Yippee… can’t beat a beautiful day of cycling for a great cause!

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OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt greeted riders at the half-way point.

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Ontario’s One Metre Safe Passing Law is creatively displayed by this Greg’s Ride cyclist, Joe Arruda from Oshawa! (Bill 31, Making Ontario’s Roads Safer, 2015).

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Greg’s Ride route took us on quiet country roads in Nassagaweya Township, Regional Municipality of Halton.

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Successfully completed Greg’s Ride, Team BikeBrampton posed with Share the Road photographer David. Share the Road cycling jerseys provided fund raising while creating a fashion statement in various shades of green.

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David tries out sponsor Curbside Cycle Toronto’s Brompton folding commuter bike. Fabulous features and a nice ride…

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David chats with Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director of Waterfront Regeneration Trust. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connecting to the Greenbelt Trail is the goal for local residents and cycling tourists alike.

The official opening of the newly constructed Valleywood inter-regional trail connection on Oct 11th 10:30-11:30 is a piece of the Etobicoke Creek Trail connection that moves towards this goal. Partners City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, Region of Peel, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program (OMCIP) and the Ministry of Transportation as well as local residents and BikeBrampton will be on hand to celebrate the opening.

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David thanks Share the Road’s Executive Director Jamie Stuckless for another excellent event.

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