As the province has started opening back up, our Ride Smart program leads (Andrew and Adam) have been hitting the road to promote our cycle education program, and we mean really hitting the road! From Sioux Lookout, to South River, Parry Sound and then Armstrong for the last week of June. Along the way they’ve been building partnerships and connections that will allow the program to be delivered in new communities!
Sioux Lookout will host the Ride Smart program in July and then the team will continue northward with the trailer and program vehicle to Pickle Lake and North Caribou First Nations to offer the program in these communities! We have also built connections with an indigenous youth drop in centre in Sioux Lookout called WINKS which has some 40+ program bikes. Ride Smart will be able to support this program with additional repair training for youth and program staff and outfitting the group with proper repair tools to maintain their fleet of bikes!
A student practices riding a slalom course for the Ride Smart video.
The team has also spent three days filming digital content that will create a video of cycling fundamentals that teachers, volunteers and students will be able to use across the province to improve fundamental cycling skills.
Funding support for Ride Smart in 2021 has been provided by the Community Foundations of Canada Health Communities Initiative and Jumpstart Charities.
To follow along with the Ride Smart program as it goes across the province follow @RideSmartOntario on Facebook and Instagram!