Guelph's bike lovers got together Saturday to celebrate their love and share stories about their favourite mode of transportation.
Around 50 residents gathered at the back patios of The Wooly Pub to celebrate and share stories about biking.
Wilfred Ferwerda is a member of Guelph Coalition of Active Transportation, one of three groups that organizes the festival. Ferwerda said they were hoping to be the first festival out of the gate once restrictions lifted for outdoor dining facilities. Last year, the festival was postponed to September, but still saw around 75 participants.
“We’re super happy and I've seen a lot of smiles out on the streets and hopefully people come in and celebrating biking this morning,” he said.
When asked why he loves biking, Ferwerda said he loved the sense of freedom biking gives.
"It's the best form of transportation in the city," he said.
The eighth annual event was able to proceed under public health and safety measures. These measures included screening for COVID-19, keeping tables six feet apart and only having four people per table.
Rick McRonald, a member of the mission and outreach committee at St. Andrew's Church, another group that organizes the festival along with Two Rivers Church, said due to COVID-19, this year's festival is in a somewhat alternate state with no rides scheduled.
"We'd prefer the original format that we could do before COVID, and we'll get back to that hopefully next year," he said, "We start off on the lawn of St. Andrew's Church on the lawn, we have the bike shops there doing minor repairs, snacks so on and then we go on organized rides and meet back here for lunch."
Despite the altered schedule, McRonald mentions it was great to see people coming out. He talks about how biking is a great way to stay in shape and explore the city around you.
"It gets you outside on a beautiful day like this, you don't need to use your car," he said.
Al deJong said he rode a bike until he was 16 and then rediscovered the bike at 37.
"I rediscovered the bike and have been riding ever since for health and other reasons," said deJong.
“I ride every other day at least, and it's five years old, and it's been everywhere around the world."
Marcia Santen said biking is a medication and supports her mental health.
“If I cycle to my work, I have a good day,” she said.
To kick things off at the festival, a land acknowledgement was held and Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie and MPP Mike Schreiner both gave opening remarks. Then, a blessing of the bikes was held for those who died while riding. After the blessing, guest speakers shared their passion for biking with residents.
Participants also listened to a story called Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face, told by Guelph Public Library children and teen librarian Ben Robinson. To end the event, a wrench-off was held between three residents, including Mayor Guthrie.
Yvette Tendick, the secretary of the GCAT is one of the guest speakers. She talked about growing up on a farm and sharing a bike with six other siblings.
For her, biking helped her become aware of space and connected her to the community, leading her to develop an interest in local politics and environmental issues.
“You become acutely aware of your surroundings and the need to take action and to make things better,” said Tendick about what biking taught her, "It also becomes a vehicle to build community."
