George Shepperdley, a champion for cycling in Brampton, was inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame for his decades of contributions. A founding member of Bike Brampton (2013), he played a key role in establishing the volunteer group.
George was honoured in the “Builder, Cycling” category at a ceremony on May 6, 2025 at The Rose Theatre.
Born in Parkstone, Dorset, England in 1941, George Shepperdley has been a leading figure in the Brampton cycling community since he moved here in 1975. He remains active while in his 80s.
Not only has he won numerous awards and citations for his cycling, but he has also shared his knowledge to organize bike racing competitions and helped make Brampton a better place for cyclists.
In 2013, he was an inaugural member of BikeBrampton. That group petitioned Brampton Council to create a Cycling Advisory Committee, and he served on that committee for four years.
George joined the Bramalea Cycling Club in 1977. He was elected president in 1998 and served in that position for four years. He was instrumental in changing the club’s name to Brampton Cycling Club. In 1979, he was honoured by the cycling club for riding 149 miles at the Brampton Fitness Challenge.
He also received a certificate for participating with distinction in the Enerfest 1983 Bike-A-Thon. In 2010, he was asked to be a convenor for the Ontario Seniors Games Brampton District 19. When Brampton was selected to host the 55+ Canada Games in 2016, he served on the organizing committee, although cycling was not part of those games.
In recent years, he has worked with BikeBrampton on its community rides, including Bike the Creek. George has also helped others repair bicycles at Different Spokes in downtown Brampton, and at various BikeBrampton pop-up locations. Among his other contributions, George has assisted BikeBrampton at bicycle shows and volunteered on Bike to Work Day. George was asked to join the Brampton Flowertown Probus Club to help organize its cycling group, which rides once a week, weather permitting.
Besides his efforts as a builder for the cycling community, he has an impressive collection of medals he has won in competition. At the provincial level he has won gold medals at the 2008 55+ Provincial Games in Oshawa and the 2015 Provincial Games in Brampton. He also earned a bronze medal at the 55+ Ontario Provincial Games in Midland in 2016 and two silver medals at the Canada Games in St. John, New Brunswick, in 2018. He has entered various time trials, road races and criteriums, winning numerous trophies, medals and certificates.
His efforts have also been acknowledged beyond Brampton. The president of the Oakville Cycling Club presented George with a certificate in 1996 for his generosity, stating, “We believe that your support of riders and of club activities contribute greatly to bicycling in general and amateur athletics in particular.” He became a cycling Commissaire for the Ontario Cycling Association for four years, travelling from Windsor to Peterborough to Judge in Ontario Cup Races on the weekends.
In 2024 he covered 4,300 kilometres in Peel Region on his bicycle.
“Congratulations to the 2025 inductees of the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame! Their achievements, dedication, and passion have left a lasting legacy on our city, inspiring generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts. Brampton takes great pride in recognizing these exceptional individuals who have shaped the sporting landscape of our community. I encourage everyone to join us at this year’s ceremony to celebrate their incredible contributions.”- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
George recalls:
“My first form of transport was a bicycle. Mother had a bike that I rode up and down the road, and on my 8th birthday I had a bicycle called the Jeep. I rode this bike until I was 14 and used my paper route money to buy a 3-speed drop handlebar bicycle. I came tearing round bank corner one day and ended up in the back of a furniture van. The tailgate was down and the bike stayed back on the road. The front wheel was perfect, but the front fork bent back towards the down tube. Cost me ₤1 for a new set of forks.”
CONGRATULATIONS GEORGE!!!
Your friends at BikeBrampton are very proud of you!
In 2020, George was smART Ride Contest winner with his entry “Jerseys of Brampton”.
About the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame
Since establishing the Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the City of Brampton has recognized outstanding athletic achievements and contributions to the development of sport in the community. The Brampton Sports Hall of Fame, currently housed within the CAA Centre, serves as a lasting tribute to local athletes, coaches and trailblazers who have made significant contributions to sports. As part of the Victoria Park Arena revitalization project, the Hall of Fame will be relocated to the new facility, continuing to offer a space for residents and visitors to reflect on and celebrate Brampton’s deep sporting history.
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