Time Once Again For Sustainable Orillia’s Bike Challenge
By David VanAlstyne – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
The Sustainable Orillia Bike Challenge, a two-month community event aimed to encourage less driving and more cycling happens May 12 to July 14. The challenge is designed to boost family involvement in cycling, raise awareness of existing cycling infrastructure, and highlight areas for improvement.
2025 is the third year of the event organized by Sustainable Orillia, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and The Bike Stop of Orillia.
The event was originally launched on Earth Day (April 22) and aligns with cycling awareness dates including:
- Bike to School Week (May 26-30)
- Bike Month (June)
- World Cycling Day (June 3)
Participants can register for The Bike Challenge online. Or you can drop into the Bike Stop of Orillia and register with paper forms available for those without internet access.
To encourage participation, the event features both individual and family incentives:
- Family Category Prizes: The top three families as measured by number of days cycled (comprising at least one parent and one child) will win gift certificates to local sponsoring restaurants.
- Random Draw: All participants will be entered into a draw for a chance to win additional prizes.
- Crests
for Frequent Riders: Bronze,
silver, and gold crests will be awarded based on the number of days cycled:
- Bronze: 10-20 days
- Silver: 21-40 days
- Gold: 41-56 days
A social event and presentation of awards and crests will take place soon after the conclusion of the challenge at The Bike Stop of Orillia, the primary event sponsor.
For more information or to get involved, please email info@sustainableorillia.ca
(Images Supplied) Main: 2023 Bke challenge winners: Josh Lawlor McDonald, Dave Campbell (City of Orillia councillor), Bike Challenge prize winners Matt Thomson, Mary Jo Pollack and Michael Bells, Paul Belanger (Bike Stop) and Dave VanAlstyne (Sustainable Orillia)
