Judged a whopping success by riders, Bike the Creek 2019 attracted over 1,000 from Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga, and from Ajax to Guelph.
A free fun family cycling event is rare, especially when cyclists can experience the spectacular valleys, trails, historic landmarks, and urban/ rural settings of Peel Region.
Our generous sponsors contributed to the success! We thank our TitleSponsor: Region of Peel Walk + Roll, who funded the excellent BBQ lunch.
Region of Peel Walk + Roll ever-popular booth with educational skill-testing questions for earning fun, useful cycling prizes.
Our generous Platinum Sponsor, Toronto Pearson GTAA provided funding and a booth for the 50km Toronto Pearson Bike Ride. Riders travelled south into the airport lands to visit the Mississauga pavilion.
Toronto Pearson GTAA airport lands in Mississauga, along Etobicoke Creek
Twenty two dignitaries honoured Bike the Creek with their presence. 14 rode in 3 groups — cycling north to Caledon, south to Mississauga and within Brampton.
Dignitary Rides 1 & 2 on Franceschini bridge: Caledon OPP PC Knight, Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson, TRCA Chair & Councillor Jennifer Innis, Wayne Noble (Caledon volunteer Ride 1 leader), Councillor Christina Early, Share the Road Executive Director Jamie Stuckless, Peel Public Health Director Louise Aubin, Councillor Chris Fonseca, Lorraine, Waterfront Regeneration Trust Executive Director Marlaine Koehler, and taking the photo, David Laing (BikeBrampton volunteer Ride 2 leader). Councillor Johanna Downey and Councillor Lynn Kiernan welcomed riders at the Caledon pavilion in Southfields.Dignitary Ride3 on Franceschini bridge: Minister & MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria, Deputy Chief Marc Andrews with NPU Constables Dave & Rob, Councillor Doug Whillans, TRCA Director Chandra Sharma, Councillor Rowena Santos & her son, Joe, Councillor Michael Palleschi, Green Party of Ontario Executive Pauline Thornham, and Dayle Laing (BikeBrampton volunteer Ride 3 leader)
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson addressed the crowd with encouraging messages for Active Transportation.
Mayor Patrick Brown speaks about Brampton’s commitment to Active Transportation for a healthy lifestyle, reducing congestion, fighting our climate emergency and achieving our 2040 Vision. From left: Councillor Rowena Santos, Councillor Michael Palleschi, Mayor Brown, Councillor Doug Whillans, TRCA Chair & Councillor Jennifer InnisMayor Allan Thompson addresses the cyclists with a message about the importance of this region-wide trail connection, and gently challenges his Peel Council friends in Brampton. BikeBrampton Chair David Laing appreciates the humour.Dayle Laing, MP Sonia Sidhu, Councillor Doug Whillans, Councillor Michael Palleschi, MPP Minister of Small Business & Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria, Councillor Johanna Downey, Wayne Noble, Councillor Charmaine Williams, David Laing, Opposition Deputy Leader MPP Sara Singh, Peel Regional Police Chief Chris McCord, Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, TRCA Chair & Councillor Jennifer Innis, TRCA Director Chandra Sharma, Councillor Chris FonsecaCity of Brampton Binu, BikeBrampton volunteer Dayle Laing welcome Councillor Jeff Bowman to Bike the Creek earlier in the day, by showing posters for Brampton Bike Hub, Caledon Bike Hub and Brampton Community Rides
It is a very busy time of year in their shops. Our friends at Wike, the Walk & Bicycle Company, The Cyclepath Bramptonand Caledon Hills Cycling were sponsors at the Silver level. We recognize their generosity and the value of their service and products!
Wike owner Bob Bell and partner Anna (from Guelph) cycled the Nature Ride and marvelled at the trail connectivity of underpasses and bridges in Brampton and Caledon. TRCA has mastered building nature-sensitive bridges over the Etobicoke Creek! GCAT sent 25 cyclists to Bike the Creek!
Ever popular was our on-site bike repair support. We welcomed Velofix Caledon (mobile van), Matteo’s Mobile Bicycle Repair, and volunteer Rick. All three mechanics supported good line-ups of folks waiting patiently for adjustments and minor repairs throughout the event. We heard rave reviews on their service! We encourage everyone to keep riding and to keep their bikes in good shape by getting regular service!
David Laing, BikeBrampton Chair, Matteo’s Mobile Bicycle Repair, and Joanna Gardner, TRCA and Chair of Bike the Creek’s planning committee
Bike the Creek welcomed support from Peel Regional Police Neighbourhood Policing Unit and Caledon OPP who provided officers on bicycles. We were thrilled they were able to ride with our dignitaries, offering support and community engagement.
Peel Regional Police NPU Constables Dave & Rob, followed by Minister MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria cross Brampton’s Eco-Counter beside the Franceschini bridge. We gather the data to measure success!
We appreciate support from Brampton Fire and Emergency Service and St. John Ambulance. With the dedication of dozens of specialized CERV and our other trained volunteers, our event would not be possible!
Brampton Fire and Emergency Services Command Post wheeled into place in early morning set upSpread over 4 rides, starting at different times, CERV volunteers waved riders off in small groups with staggered starts.Ernst travelled from his new home in Guelph to lead the Peel Region Waste pavilion, with his friends from Sierra Club. This was a zero-waste event!Rosemary Keenan, Sierra Club of Peel Chair, helping staff Peel Waste pavilion. Region of Peel subsequently reported the event generated 40kg of recycling and 70 kg of organic waste. The material produced was of high quality, with little to no contamination.Eco-Bike Cafe at Brampton’s pavilion in Rosalea ParkLarge registration area inside Jim Archdekin ensured speedy handling of riders. We cleared out t-shirt and hat stock to make way for a new model for next year!Dignitary Ride 3 along the quiet tree-lined street in Brampton: Councillor Doug Whillans, Minister MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria, Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, Councillor Rowena Santos & son, TRCA Chandra Sharma, Councillor Michael Palleschi (in behind: Green Party of Ontario Executive Pauline Thornham) Dignitary Ride 1 at Caledon pavilion in Southfields: Councillor Johanna Downey, Wayne Noble, Councillor Christina Early, TRCA Chair & Councillor Jennifer Innis, Councillor Lynn Kiernan, Mayor Allan Thompson, Riley Noble, Caledon OPP PC Knight, Alyson MoneryBike the Creek riders stopping in Heart Lake Conservation Area for TRCA’s Medicine Wheel pavilion featuring information on butterfliesIndigenous Drum Circle, at Gitigaan Mashkiki (Medicine Wheel Garden) in Heart Lake Conservation AreaHeart Lake Road southbound was temporarily closed for Bike the Creek. Those cycling this route enjoyed the feeling of this protected bike lane! The short temporary fencing on the right keeps amphibians in the Provincially Significant Wetland and helps prevent road kill of endangered snapping turtles and frogs.Tomken Road southbound in Mississauga was also temporarily closed for Bike the Creek. Separated cycling infrastructure makes a big difference to comfort level.Caledon OPP Constable, Councillor Jennifer Innis, Councillor Christina Early and volunteer Wayne Noble indicate new curb ramp on Pinebrook Circle in Valleywood — Etobicoke Creek Trail connection to SouthfieldsToronto and Region Conservation Authority team: Victoria, Joanna, Vince and Caledon volunteer: WayneBikeBrampton displayed Brampton and Caledon Bike Hubs jointly with Peel Walk+RollDavid Laing taking down the Bike the Creek temporary signs after the event — using his handy WIKE trailer for the job!
“I paid $100 to enter a cycling event in Florida, and it wasn’t as well organized as Bike the Creek!”, said one rider in the post-ride survey.
See you next year! Save the date for Jun 27, 2020 – to be confirmed!
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