Funds boost helps local charity put more bikes on road

One of midtown’s most prominent charities will be able to put a few more bikes on the road this summer, after receiving a $5,000 boost from the National Bank of Canada.

Green City Cycles program, a two-pronged initiative by Evergreen Brick Works on Bayview Avenue aimed at increasing bicycle use in the community, received the funds from National Bank’s One for Youth regional committees program in February. It was one of 175 projects across Canada selected to share in $1 million in support of their youth initiatives.

“We were thrilled to hear about the donation,” said Liz George, assistant project coordinator of Green City Cycles. “It means we have that much more support in helping Toronto youth access cycling and bike mechanics this year through the shop.”

“The selected initiatives not only demonstrate values of engagement, proximity and excellence, but also will make it possible for thousands of them to reap concrete benefits and develop their potential,” said Karen Leggett, National Bank’s executive vice-president of marketing.

Since 2011, Green City Cycles initiative Bike Hubs has invited youth from across the city to attend a two-week bicycle repair program at the Evergreen’s 550 Bayview Ave. hub, followed by the opportunity to run a community bike hub in their own neighbourhood between August and October. It runs in tandem with sister initiative Bike Works, which is based at the Brick Works and provides cyclists of all ages with workshops and a repair space.

Green City Cycles was one of 175 youth initiatives to receive donations from this year’s National Bank One for Youth Regional Committees program, which is in its second year. But Evergreen’s program doesn’t run on bank donations. George and Bike Works project manager Claire Bodkin are in the midst of planning a community bike drive, which is scheduled to run from April 27 to May 15.

“If folks are doing their spring cleaning and discover a bike that they’re able to donate, we would love to make sure that it gets into the hands of a young person who can rebuild it,” Bodkin said.

Bike Works opens this year at the Evergreen Brick Works on April 18 and runs until October.