While the COVID-19 pandemic may have postponed Bike Month, it’s also provided us with the opportunity to get creative and to think of new ways to celebrate cycling in your city! We hope this guide will help you organize your Bike Month community event in the safest and funnest way possible. Don’t forget to post your event to the Bike Month Calendar!
All events are subject to public health guidelines, which may continue to evolve as the province continues to respond to the pandemic.
Only host a bike ride if outdoor gatherings are permitted by your local public health unit.
Some ideas for pandemic-friendly events:
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Bike rides with people within your household or social circle. In Toronto and Peel Region, outdoor gatherings have been restricted to 25 people but larger gatherings may be permitted in other parts of the GTHA. Participants must always maintain two metres (or about the length of a bicycle) between you and anyone who isn’t in your social circle. If you cannot maintain physical distancing even outdoors, you will need to wear a cloth or non-surgical mask that covers your nose, mouth and chin. Riding a bike remains a great way to get exercise for physical and mental health during a pandemic. Now is a great time to get out and enjoy some of the new cycling infrastructure near you! (For those in Toronto, check out the ActiveTO installations!)
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A community scavenger hunt that can be driven by riddles, local trivia or by great places to ride a bike in your neighbourhood!
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A virtual panel discussion or webinar that showcases local experts. You can discuss anything from great new bike routes you’ve discovered to how to pack for a bike camping trip! It can be hosted on a platform like Zoom (their free plan lets you have up to 100 participants but it will end your meeting after 40 minutes, you can learn more about Zoom here). You can also use a platform like Google Meet which you can sign in to using your gmail address. Google Meet’s paid plans are free until the end of September and you can learn more about their platform here.
Whatever kinds of events you organize, make sure you’re following the precautions laid out by your municipality. Wear a mask when you’re in indoor public spaces, wash your hands frequently and sanitize any frequently-touched surfaces. Most of all, take some time to enjoy riding your bike this September!
Updated as of September 18, 2020.
