It’s happening a little later than usual, but the City of Guelph is celebrating its third annual Bike Month in September.
Sept. 19 has been tagged as Ride Your Bike Day and there are a number of virtual challenges throughout the month with a chance to win prizes.
Ride Your Bike Day takes the place of Bike to Work Day this year because of the pandemic.
A self-serve bicycle repair station is being installed in front of city hall at 1 Carden St. The station includes an air pump and commonly used tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers and tire levers.
One of the fun events planned is the Guelph cycling scavenger hunt, a virtual event where participants over the age of 18 are asked to visit at least four of the following five cycling facilities: bike lanes, trails, multi-use paths, signed routes and cycle tracks.
“The intent of this challenge is to encourage people to become familiar with and use the different types of cycling facilities in our city,” says the city.
“Take a photo of yourself or your bike at each site throughout the month of September. Submit your photos by email or on Twitter using #bikeguelphchallenge. Win a bike-friendly prize,” said the city in announcing Bike Month.
Prizes include gift cards to the following: $150 to MEC, $75 to Speed River Bicycle, two $75 gift cards to Backpedaling, $75 to Paramount Sports, $50 to any business or restaurant downtown, $50 to any business or restaurant downtown and $25 to any business or restaurant downtown.
Bike or wheel to school is another event that gives students a chance to win prizes.
The intent of this challenge is to get youth (Kindergarten to Grade 12) involved by encouraging them to bike or wheel to school (scooter, roller blade, skateboarding, etc.). “Bike or wheel to school using your scooter, roller blades or skates, skateboard or mobility device. Submit a photo with your bike or wheels at your school and a map of your route by September 30. The map doesn’t need to show your starting address, just the street where you started. Open to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.”
Winners will be selected randomly from those entered. Prizes include gift cards to The Boat House.
Go to bikemonth.ca/guelph for more information.
