Every June, we are given that extra bit of encouragement to go outdoors, get active and celebrate our natural environment. If the longer, warmer and sun-filled days aren’t enough incentive, perhaps the dates that celebrate the environment will help inspire you to Think Outside the Car. They include:
- World Environment Day – celebrated every June 5
- Canadian Environment Week – coincides every year with World Environment Day (June 5 to 11, 2016)
- Clean Air Day – celebrated on the Wednesday of Canadian Environment Week (June 8, 2016)
Take Action and participate in upcoming events
Many of us simply reach for car keys when we need to run errands. In Burlington, 31 per cent of daily trips are less than five kilometres, 25 per cent are two to five kilometres long and 15 per cent are less than 10 kilometres. Generally, trips less than two kilometres are considered to be walkable and those less than 10 kilometres are cyclable.
Below are some local events that might encourage you to Think Outside the Car, get moving and reduce our community’s greenhouse gas emissions:
- Bike to School Week – May 30 – June 3
- Bike Month – May 30 – June 30
- Bike Infrastructure Around the World seminar – June 1
- Bike Safety Seminar – June 4
- Appleby Line Street Festival – June 5
- Love My Hood Ward 6 Street Festival – June 25
Recent celebrations
On May 30, the fifth annual Bike to Work Day event was held at City Hall. Bike to Work Day, which is celebrated across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, kicks off Bike to Work Month which runs until June 30. It’s not too late to register and enter to win great prizes including one of three VIA Rail $500 vouchers.
On May 31, Burlington Mayor Goldring and Apeldoorn Mayor Berends cycled with Lakeshore Public School students along the Centennial pathway to celebrate Bike to School Week.
This year, 30 schools signed up for the Healthy Kids Bike to School Week Challenge. They include:
Ascension, Sacred Heart of Jesus*, Glenview*, St. Anne, Paul A. Fisher, Lakeshore*, Florence Mears, M.M. Robinson, Tom Thomson*, CH Norton*, Gary Allan (STEP program)*, St. Gabriel*, Orchard Park, King’s Road, Clarksdale, St. Paul*, Central, Mohawk Gardens*, Maplehurst*, St. John*, St. Mark*, Pauline Johnson*, Charles R. Beaudoin*, Rolling Meadows*, John William Boich, Alton Village*, Dr. Charles Best*, Aldershot*, Sir Ernest MacMillan*, and St. Raphael*.
While all Burlington schools who signed up for Bike to School Week received cycling giveaways, 20 schools (marked with an asterisk) also received a bike rack including Lakeshore Public School and St. Raphael Catholic School whose photos are featured in this blog.
Calling all Burlington Businesses – Don’t miss out!
Bike Rack Giveaway Program
The City of Burlington and the Halton Region Health Department recognize the benefits of businesses becoming more bike friendly for their customers and employees. This spring the City of Burlington is offering a FREE bike rack just like the one pictured above (valued at $550 each) to the first 15 Burlington businesses that provide proof they have applied for a Share The Road Bike Friendly Business Award. All interested businesses are encouraged to contact Dan Ozimkovic (Danijel.ozimkovic@burlington.ca).
Learn more …
View the following video to learn more about cycling in Burlington.
Find out what “Cycle Dan” has to say about the City of Burlington’s cycling facilities and infrastructure.
Learn how to use Burlington Transit’s bus bike rack.
Did you know?
- Just under 40 per cent of Burlington’s greenhouse gas emissions are related to transportation.
- Burlington’s Cycling Advisory Committee was formed in 1990.
- Burlington has a cycling interactive map. Hardcopies of the map are available at City Hall and other city facilities. They will also be available at the City of Burlington display booth in the grand lobby at Central Public Library between June 3 and 10, 2016.
- Burlington has a cycling app. Learn more at socialcyclist.com.
Take Action Burlington! Collectively we can make a difference.
Take Action Burlington 