There are many ways that you can participate! 

Here are some tips to get you started...

• Buy a new bike or dust off that bike you've had for years and get a tune up.
• Make a check-list of what you'll need to make your bike the new vehicle of choice: a bell, reflective tape, lights for the front and the back of your bike, water bottle cage, a bike rack or basket, tire repair kit, a rear-view mirror, a bike radio, streamers, a travel mug holder...the accessory options are endless!  
• Create a map to your destination or get biking directions at Google Maps. 
• Do a test ride to your pre-mapped destination on the weekend.
• Take it easy. Start slow. Begin by riding one day per week to build up your cardio and confidence.
• Feeling rusty on the rules of the road? Brush up or take a refresher course
• Learn about cycling in York Region.
• Look out for bike clubs and events in your community

Spotlight on Bike to Work Week -

Q & A with Smart Commuter Jeremy McAllister!

Meet Jeremy, a graphic design professional who had quite the journey for Bike to Work Day 2014, cycling all the way from Downtown Toronto to Markham! Jeremy answered a series of questions about his journey in hopes of inspiring others to cycle to work!

Q. Where was the starting and ending point of your journey?

 A. The journey was from Downtown Toronto to Markham. I was coming from the Dufferin and St. Clair area and travelling to the Denison and Woodbine area.

Q. How long did the journey take?

 A. I left the house around 7:00 a.m. and arrived at around 9:45 - 10:00 a.m. The whole journey took around three hours from start to finish. I left the office again around 6:00 p.m. and I got back home at around 9:45 p.m. The total journey was about 30 km each way, so about 60 km in total.

Q. How did you prepare for the journey?

 A. Before going out, I used the Google Maps Cycling feature and mapped out where I should be going. I avoided all the main roads, except for some portions of Leslie. I tried to take the cycle paths and go through the parks as much as possible.

Q. What was the biggest challenge besides the distance for you as a cyclist?

 A. The hardest part of the trip would definitely be the navigation. You don't have Google Maps with you, and often in the parks, the path would not be clear. Sometimes the path would split and you would not know whether to turn left or right. I would get lost during some parts of the way, but I ended up asking for directions a lot of the time and everyone was extremely helpful. It helped even more that it was Bike to Work Day and there happened to be a lot of cyclists out on the paths.

Q. What tips or advice would you give to other cyclist starting out or taking a long trip like yours?

 A. Some advice that I could give to others is that there are a lot of helpful people and you can ask others if you do get lost. And one of the other things that you should do is to plan your journey well.

• NOTICE OF IMPORTANT ROAD CLOSURE - Major Mackenzie Dr. E between Delray Dr. and Reeser Rd. in Markham Read

• Cycling is not only healthy - but it makes you an overall happier person! Read  

• IT'S HERE! VIVA bike racks are now in service. The entire YRT/Viva fleet is now bike-friendly! Learn how to use the racks Here  

• Electric Vehicle sales are on the rise in Canada! Read

• The initial results are in: the rapidways are already offering commuters a faster, more convenient way to get from A to B. Average travel time has dropped by over 30% during the peak periods. Read

myRide Travel Training is a transit support program that prepares people to make independent journeys using YRT/Viva services. myRide is for people of all ages and abilities who need additional transit education, knowledge and skill.