MEDIA RELEASE
July 25, 2023
OTF $703,300 grant to Clean Air Partnership continues to support and
grow community bicycle hubs
Markham-Unionville – Yesterday, MPP Billy Pang and Dawn Gallagher Murphy met with the
team of Markham Cycles and Newmarket Cycles to hear how a three-year Grow Grant of
$703,300 by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2020 has made an impact on its work in
the community. The grant was used to operate and expand cycling programs at the Markham
Cycles Community Bike Hub and was recently used to open a new community bicycle hub in
Newmarket. 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. This
encourages active lifestyles for Ontarians to participate in.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
Billy Pang , MPP Markham-Unionville
NEWS
Newmarket and Markham Cycles are empowering a 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, Markham and Newmarket Cycles provides
bike rentals in partnership with local libraries, bike repairs at local events, drop-in sessions
where participants can learn how to fix and maintain their own bikes, 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, 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. Please visit otf.ca to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dickson Mak, Deputy Executive Assistant
MPP Billy Pang Community Office
billy.pang@pc.ola.org
905-474-3288