Ontario Government OTF Grant Helps Launch Newmarket Cycles’ and Markham Cycles’ and Community Bicycle Hubs

Newmarket, ON — On Sunday, local MPPs Dawn Gallagher Murphy and Billy Pang met with the team of Newmarket Cycles and Markham Cycles to hear how a three-year, $703,300 Grow grant presented by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2020 has made in impact on its work in the community. The grant was used to open and operate community bicycle hubs, located at Smart Commute Central York in the heart of Newmarket, and at Milliken Mills and Centennial Community Centres in Markham. The bicycle hubs provide people in the community with free bike-related programming and education, as well as free access to bikes and bike accessories.

“Through our government’s Cycling Strategy and Action Plans, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this funding has helped The Centre for Active Transportation realize their mission to advance active transportation,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “I support the role this plays in creating environmentally and economically sustainable communities.

I am confident Newmarket Cycles will become the hub for our local cycling enthusiasts.” Funds from the grant were used to help with a number of costs involved with the multi-year initiative. The grant was used to assist with staffing and some administrative costs, purchasing a number of bikes, a bike trailer, helmets, locks, and other needed cycling equipment to assist with the program. In addition, the grant also helped with purchasing program supplies, hosting workshops, creating promotional materials, and updating the website as well.

“The investment of $703,300 by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to enhance Clean Air Partnership’s expansion of cycling programs and community bike hubs is a great step forward towards growing a positive impact on the active lifestyles and participation of thousands in the community,” said Billy Pang, MPP for Markham-Unionville. “Furthermore, this has created more inclusive streets and continues to help our communities to become more environmentally aware and sustainable.”

Newmarket and Markham Cycles are empowering space that creates community around biking. Through various programming, the bike hubs work to make the process of beginning and continuing to cycle easier and more accessible for people regardless of age, ability, race, or income.

Because of the generous support of OTF, Newmarket and Markham Cycles provides bike rentals in partnership with the Newmarket and Markham Public Libraries, bike repair at local events such as the Newmarket Farmers’ Market and Markham Cycling Day, drop-in sessions where participants can learn how to fix and maintain their own bikes in partnership with the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, and family friendly group rides that help familiarize people with local trails and infrastructure — all at no cost to participants.

“At our community bike hubs, we recognize that there are so many social and cultural factors that contribute to whether or not someone will choose to ride a bike to get from point A to point B,” said Jennie Geleff, Project Manager at The Centre for Active Transportation. “Newmarket and Markham Cycles are meant to break down those social and cultural barriers by providing a fun and unintimidating space where anyone can explore biking for free.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships.

Visit otf.ca to learn more.