CMHA HKPR’s Change the Cycle Event Raises Over $40,000 for Garden Homes

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The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge’s (CMHA HKPR’s) first-ever Change the Cycle event raised over $40,000 for the Garden Homes project on June 24.

photo courtesy of cmha hkpr.

The event took place at at Nicholls Oval with over 60 cyclists and volunteers.

“We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors, riders, and donors for making our first Change the Cycle event our most successful cycling fundraiser to date,” says Jack Veitch, manager of community engagement and education with CMHA HKPR.

In years past, CMHA HKPR participated in a nation-wide cycling fundraising event but this year, with the goal of keeping all the money right here in our community, we launched our own cycling fundraiser.

photo courtesy of cmha hkpr.

The fundraising kicked off with a generous donation of $25,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. Klusterfork Entertainment also donated proceeds from their most recent production, ‘Schools Out,’ to the event.

The funds will support the new Garden Homes Project, an initiative of CMHA HKPR’s Supportive Housing program, which aims to support vulnerable individuals who are at risk of homelessness in the Peterborough area by providing affordable, small homes.

For more information, visit the website.

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GreenUp Kicks Off Inaugural Summer Ride Club With Passport Challenge

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Peterborough got a unique biking experience to kick off the inaugural GreenUP’s Summer Ride Club to offer cyclers a ride club passport challenge at Quaker Foods City Square on Thursday.

Going over the bumps proves to be no problem for Marcel Hannah, 9, as he was one of the first kids to trying out the cycling course at the rear of the park. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event marked the beginning of summer vacation for many Peterborough and Kawartha students. The event sent students of all ages cycling into summer challenges with a cycling festival, prize draws, events and more.

A ride club passport was available at the event’s launch that features nine weeks of ride challenges for nine weeks of summer. Throughout the nine weeks, participants will use their passports to plan routes, learn bike safety and explore different avenues of the city.

“It could be a beach, it could be a splash pad, close to your house, far away from your house,” said Ashley Burnie, GreenUp active transportation program coordinator. “The adventure is up to you, This will help encourage you to do fun cycling things all summer long.”

Pop-up events, an online community and submitting the passport at the end of the program give a chance to win prizes. Participants can pick up a passport anytime from GreenUP and B!KE: The Community Bike Shop.

The cycling fun fair featured amenities such as bike checks from B!KE: The Community Bike Shop, Wild Rock and Fontaine, pick up cycling community resources from the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Bicycling Advisory Committee (PBAC) and two interactive bike playgrounds. Entertainment from local theatrics professional Tim Holland, a chance to create bike buttons with the Peterborough Library and sign up for the Summer Ride Club community from GreenUP were present at the event to keep maintain children’s interest in cycling.

“It's always hard to get our kids moving over the summer. It can be easy to fall out of routine,” said Burnie. “Say you've been cycling to school all school year long, it helps maintain that routine so in September, you're ready to go. You've been biking, you have more skills and because of that, you're more confident in cycling.”

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Peterborough GreenUp Shifting Gears Program Presents the May Challenge

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The GreenUp Shifting Gears Program presents the May Challenge from May 1 to June 2; helping the Peterborough community make shifts towards using more active and sustainable transportation.

Shifting Gears is for anyone in the Peterborough Region who wants to take less solo car trips, in favour of walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling and telecommuting.

What is included:

- Trip Tracking: participants are encouraged to track their sustainable trips online. You can follow overall community statistics via our email newsletter and also sign up for workplace leaderboards. Shifting Gears loves some friendly competition!

- Prizes: tracking trips leads to prizes! Each week participants who tracked their trips are eligible for multiple prize draws. The more weeks you track, the more chances to win.

- Resources and workshops: Shifting Gears runs exclusive workshops to support transportation shift, as well as, online resources for individuals and employers. Workshops run seasonally, but you can find resources available all- year round.

Sign up and gain access to community news, challenge reminders, workshops and program resources, as well as tracking your trips for the month of May and be entered into weekly prize draws.

To learn more and register, click the link.

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Spinning Wheels Tour Riding Its Way to Peterborough This Monday For Parkinson's

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The Spinning Wheels Tour that brings awareness for exercise benefits for people with Parkinson’s while fundraising is coming to Peterborough at the Wild Rock Outfitters parking lot on Monday.

The Spinning Wheels Tour has covered over 5,000 kms since June 25. Photo courtesy of Spinning Wheels Tour.

The tour consists of four friends with three cyclists living with Parkinson’s Disease and one dedicated RV driver who are cycling across Canada.

The group is in town from 1:30 - 3 p.m. in the back parking lot at Wild Rock Outfitters on 169 Charlotte St.

Anyone is welcome to attend the meet and greet prior to the team cycling on the tour. Visitors can make donations, purchase tour apparel and enjoy light refreshments during the event.

Cyclists are welcome to ride along with the group. Full route details can be found online.

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Blind Woman To Cycle Through Peterborough in Province-Wide Tour; Fundraiser To Create Stem Cell Registry

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Blind author Amber Needham is cycling through Peterborough next Friday as part of a province-wide tour to raise money to begin a stem cell registry.

Mike Rousseau (left) with Amber Needham (right) riding in Bayfield, Ont. just off the southwest coast of Lake Huron. Photo courtesy of Mike Rousseau and McGinny Photography.

Needham is riding a tandem bicycle with friend Mike Rousseau throughout most of southern and eastern Ontario in the span of six and a half weeks. They are riding over 2,500 km and started at St. Thomas on July 4. The final leg ends at the teaching hospital University Health Network (UHN) scheduled for Aug. 20.

They are collecting donations from passersby during their trip with a goal of $80,000. All proceeds go towards the UHN and Dr. Clara Chan.

Needham suffered cornea damage from a retinal lubricant that was on recall — but unfortunately did not know at the time — and triggered a preexisting condition.

Dr. Chan worked on Needham with stem cells known as the Cincinnati procedure provided the author could provide her own donor. She quickly found one from a retired nurse that helped her gain clear vision again. The treatment inspired Needham to help Dr. Chan make this procedure easier for future recipients.

“I was one of one of the lucky ones,” Needham explained. “It was live tissue and I had such a perfect match. What I want to do is help Dr. Clara Chan create a stem cell registry so when it comes time to need this, it’ll make it far less stressful and more efficient.”

Unfortunately, Needham redamaged her eyes from a compost bucket moisture. Invasive fungus hit her eyes, grew over them and put her back to square one with glaucoma damage. The fungus had to be scraped over 17 weeks until it was eradicated. As a result, she can only see centrally and not peripherally.

During the trip, several onlookers and bystanders would strike conversations with the pair. Needham was astonished by how many stories that related to her situation were told by others.

“While we’re able to talk to people on our rest, it’s amazing how many stories you get from other individuals who are clinically blind or have another disability,” she said. “It’s inspirational. People see our signage, hear our story and slip us $20.”

“Part of the thing that makes it memorable is a number of people can relate,” added Rousseau. “It’s amazing how many people are affected by blindness. It’s out there.”

Needham’s book, ‘The Blind Girl Sees’ shares her experiences dealing with going from perfect vision to becoming blind. All proceeds from her book sales go towards her $80,000 goal.

“If you think about possibilities regardless of your disability, human beings are very resilient if we allow ourselves to be,” said Needham. “It feels amazing that I can be active and do something for others.”

Donations can also be accepted online and her book is available on her website.

Roughly $10,000 has been raised during this article’s publication according to Rosseau.

The duo is arriving in Peterborough next Friday, rest the following day and leave for Cannington on the 14th.

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Peterborough Police Accepting Bicycle Registration and Licensing

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With summer in full swing, Peterborough Police Service is taking free applications for bicycle registrations and licensing to aid in returning them in case of being lost or stolen announced on Thursday.

Photo by Luke Best.

A licence sticker must be obtained to register online. They are available at bicycle retailers or at the front counter of the Peterborough Police Service headquarters 24/7. Other stations may have more restricted hours.

Bicycles must be brought to the station for in-person registrations.

The police accept online bike registration with the following conditions:

  • Once you have obtained a licence sticker

  • Anyone registering must have a valid e-mail address and have the bike’s serial number

  • For any bicycle bearing a serial number

  • For one or more bicycles owned by you or the family members residing in your residence. Every bicycle registered requires their own registration form

Most bicycles with a serial number from the manufacturer. You can engrave an identifying number on the frame if the bike does not contain one. Cyclists can put the same number on the wheels and other components.

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City of Peterborough Celebrates Bike Month Highlighting Local Trails

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June is Bike Month in Ontario and the City of Peterborough is spotlighting cycling trails and paths around town.

File Photo.

File Photo.

The month features activities including a city-wide online bike registration and a fun online quiz.

Residents are invited to share their cycling stories during Bike Month with the hashtag #ptbobikemonth.

The city is featuring Roper Park Trail that was built last summer.

Located near Ravenwood Drive and Parkhill Road, the 450m trail connects the neighbourhood, provides access to the amenities in the park and connects to the broader trail and cycling network in the City.

Trail donors Haig Kelly and Barron Cowan have donated to the City and County trail system for the last 25 years. The trail came after the neighbourhood requested a formal trail for a more welcoming space and help deal with muddy conditions. That initiative got Kelly and Cowan involved.

A plaque beside the trail recognizes the donors as Haig Sharon Kelly, The Kelly Family Foundation and The Barron Cowan Foundation.

“This trail is a real gem. The neighbourhood has embraced it, with many people of all ages walking and cycling along it,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “Thank you for your generous donation Haig Kelly and Barron Cowan.”

More information can be found at https://www.peterborough.ca/en/city-services/walking-and-cycling.aspx

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PTBOCANADA


A Couple Of Downtown Cycling Updates Including New Bike Store Opening

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As the cycling lane downtown works its way South along George Street, there are a few newsy bits to share. Read about them below...

The Dutch Reach

You may not have heard of "The Dutch Reach", but with downtown parking being on the inside of a bicycle lane, this handy tip could help. Watch this video...

B!KE: The Peterborough Community Cycling Hub

Congratulations to B!ke, which recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary! A traditional 10th anniversary gift is Aluminum, so perhaps someone should gift them an Aluminum bicycle?

Poell's Bike Shop

Poell's Bike Shop opened up a bicycle store in the old Tango location at 366 George Street North. Bike over and check it out..

—post & photos by Evan Holt

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New Public Bicycle Repair Stands Installed In Peterborough

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In conjunction with B!ke: The Peterborough Community Cycling Hub and the City of Peterborough, there are now two public bicycle repair stands installed in the downtown core. The first one is at George and Simcoe just outside the doors of Peterborough Square. The second is at B!ke itself, for after hours repairs.

Each stand includes a tire pump (with a universal adapter), spanners, multi-tools and screwdrivers for quick repairs.

If necessary, scan the QR code and it will take you off to Bicycletutor.com to give you a further helping hand.

Two more repair stands are coming to Peterborough. One will be installed at Trent University (West Bank of Trent's Symons campus) and the second location is still to be determined.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PTBOCANADA


What's Your Take On Aesthetic Design Of Downtown Peterborough Bike Racks?

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Now that the new downtown bicycle racks have been set up for a few weeks in downtown Peterborough, what are your thoughts on how they look? Are they easy on the eye?

I think the inspiration may have come from the Jeep logo (joking here, but there are similarities), although they aren't as beautiful as the single bicycle racks in Ottawa...

Or as glamourous as this bike rack on St. Clair West in Toronto...


They are still well used in general—and on a Friday night well after all the other cars have gone home to bed.

The feedback has been mixed on Twitter (as you'll see from the sampling below), but add your own comments below.


[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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