Bike Niagara Activities 2023, Year End Report

Introduction

Bike Niagara continues to be demand responsive for learn to ride requests, safe cycling courses and various community support events. Ridley College in St. Catharines was a key client in 2023 and indicated a continued need for cycling courses in 2024.

Activity for 2023

Community Support

Spring 2023, Active Leadership Team, St. Catharines – Bike Niagara and the Niagara Freewheelers attended initial meetings of this community group that were seeking to promote cycling in St. Catharines with a focus on the downtown core.
Spring 2023, Bicycle Repair Training – Initial input provided to this project lead by Heart Niagara and Start Me Up/Bike Me Up Niagara, St. Catharines
April 12/23, Keynote Speaker on Bicycle Safety, Niagara Freewheelers Open House, St. Catharines
April 20/23, St. Catharines Library presentation with the Niagara Freewheelers – Bicycling Niagara Region

Advocacy

Summer 2023, Niagara Region Road Safety Strategic Plan: Countermeasures – Input provided to the Niagara Freewheelers for countermeasure suggestions towards bicycle safety.

Safe Cycling Instruction

School Bicycle Rodeos
- 17/23 and Oct. 19/23, Ridley College, St. Catharines – In class and outdoor on bike safety sessions were provided to 4 grades (senior kindergarten, grades 1,2,and 3) over two days for a total of about 7 hours. Instructors were Dave and Virginia.
Enhanced Cycling Skills
- May 13/23, Bethany Church, Fenwick, Pelham Probus Cycling Group and Niagara Freewheelers, 13 adult students, Virginia and Dave Instructors, 2 hrs.
- June 10/23, Bethany Church, Fenwick, Pelham Probus Cycling Group and Niagara Freewheelers, 7 adult students, Virginia, Rick and Dave Instructors, 2 hrs.
Learn to Ride
- 7/23, A.K. Wigg Public School, ,Fonthill, 6 yr. old boy, 1 hr.
- 16/23, Victoria Public School, Niagara Falls, 7 yr. old boy, 1 hr.