Roll into Bike Month with Safe, Interactive Activities this June

June is Bike Month! Now is a great time to hop on your bike and get to know Mississauga on two wheels.

Outdoor exercise is an important part of maintaining physical and mental health and, at every level of experience, biking is an activity that can be safely enjoyed solo or with your household.

Try these Bike Month activities that are sure to get you pedalling.

Explore a Mississauga trail

Check out some of the Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee’s favourite Mississauga trails.

From shaded wood trails to waterfront views, there’s something for everyone! Use the new Mississauga cycling map to locate these trails and for ideas on where to cycle.

• Etobicoke Creek Trail: Escape the city and surround yourself with nature. Enjoy a short ride to Centennial Park or challenge yourself to bike to Brampton or Caledon.
• Lakefront Promenade Waterfront Trail: Bike along the lakefront and enjoy the breeze!
• Culham Trail: Looking for something with rougher terrain? This trail is perfect for hybrid and mountain bikes.
• Erin Woods Trail: Enjoy the shade and chirping birds on this short 1 km trail through the woods.
• Sugar Maple Woods Trail: Bike this unpaved trail through the woods and check out nearby parks.

Cycle along a self-guided bike route

The City has mapped out bike routes across Mississauga so that residents of all ages and cycling abilities can enjoy a route in their neighbourhood either solo or with their household. Two Community Rides will take place in June:

Visit mississaugabikes.ca/communityrides to access online maps of the routes. Wayfinding signage and pavement markings will also be set up to help guide riders.

Bike the Creek Event

Bike the Creek returns this year from Wednesday, June 9 to Wednesday, June 30 as a self-led bike route that will take you through Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. Along the route, enjoy spectacular valleys, trails, historic landmarks and urban and rural settings across the Peel Region. This free event is open to cycling lovers of all ages and abilities. Registration is not required; however, participants can register for the event to be entered into a draw for a chance to win a prize.

Visit trca.ca/bike-the-creek for more information, to access the route map and to register.

Safe Cycling Webinars

Join hundreds of bike-loving residents across the GTHA by checking out free, safe cycling webinars presented by the Peel Region. Visit bikemonth.ca/peelregion to register.

• Safe Cycling 101 – Wednesday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
  Learn how to ride safely and confidently. Topics include equipment, proper bike fit, safe riding techniques, rules and responsibilities and choosing your route.
• Sharing the Road – Wednesday, June 9 at 7 p.m.
  Learn how to safely use streets whether you’re on foot, in a car or on a bike. Topics include sharing road space, common misconceptions, parking and passing.
• Biking in all Weather Conditions – Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m.
  Make all-weather cycling a breeze. Learn about clothing, gear, bicycle maintenance, storage and more.

The library is also offering two cycling webinars to help keep you safe on your ride. The webinars are open to anyone ages 13+ and are free with registration.

• Online Bicycle Repair Workshop – Tuesday, June 22 at 7 p.m.
  Learn how to fix different parts of a bike as well as proper maintenance and storage to prevent damage.

• Online Safe Cycling 101 – Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
  Topics will include equipment, safe riding techniques, rules and responsibilities, interactions with other road users and trail users and choosing your route.

Children under the age of 13 can also get in on the fun! On Friday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 22, head over to the Mississauga Library’s YouTube channel to enjoy bike safety videos aimed at keeping young riders safe on their bike.

Play Bike Month Bingo

Download your own Bike Month bingo card and try out local bike routes, adventures and activities you’ve never experienced before. Submit your bingo card online for a chance to win a gift package!

Kilometre Counter

Ever wonder how many kilometres you cycle every week? Log your bike rides with the online kilometre counter. Challenge your friends, family and co-workers to see who can cycle the most kilometres during Bike Month or push yourself to cycle a little further each week.

When taking part in outdoor Bike Month biking activities, remember to follow COVID-19 guidelines by staying at least two metres (six feet) from those not in your household and wearing a mask when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Remember to follow the rules of the road, be courteous to other trail users and obey all shared trail etiquette. Cyclists who are under the age of 18 must wear a helmet; however, everyone is encouraged to wear a helmet when riding their bike.

For more information on cycling safety, where to ride your bike and cycling events in Mississauga, visit mississaugabikes.ca.

Tags

• Active Transportation
• Cycling