June is Bike Month in Ontario – and here’s hoping you are enjoying getting out on two wheels with all of the beautiful weather! It’s a busy time at Share the Road Cycling Coalition and we’re excited to share some updates with you on our two signature events – the Ontario Bike Summit and our Share the Road Gran Fondo, both taking place in September.
In this newsletter we also have news to share about the Bicycle Friendly communities program and our travels across the province presenting awards to Collingwood, Durham Region, Kitchener and Mississauga.
Ontario Bike Summit
The momentum is building for the 2026 Ontario Bike Summit this September in Toronto, and we are thrilled to introduce some incredible voices we’re featuring at this year’s event.
We are proud to announce our keynote speaker, Barkha Patel, former Director of Infrastructure for Jersey City, New Jersey. Under her leadership, Jersey City achieved Vision Zero – a remarkable milestone. Under her leadership the municipality has gone a full year with zero traffic fatalities on municipal streets. At the Summit, Barkha will share how communities can close the gap between policy and pavement, using a fast-paced, iterative approach to design public spaces that offer dignity and safety to everyone.
We are thrilled to announce that Kristy Shortall, Executive Vice-President of Development at Northcrest, will be the featured speaker at the Ontario Bike Summit Opening Reception on September 22.
Kristy is leading the charge on one of the largest and most ambitious urban redevelopments in North America: YZD – named after the former Downsview Airport call sign – is the 370-acre, $30-billion master-planned transformation of the former Downsview Airport lands in northwest Toronto. This incredible project will bring seven new neighbourhoods, 35,000 homes, 75 acres of green and open space all connected by a 2-kilometer pedestrianized park that was previously one of the airport’s main runways.
With more than 20 years of experience navigating complex municipal frameworks, aligning provincial regulations, and leading multi-disciplinary teams, Kristy is a powerhouse in modern city-building. Her immense contribution to the industry includes serving as the Chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Toronto Chapter, a WLI Champion, and Chair of the Toronto Region Board of Trade Land Use Committee.
Active transportation isn’t just about the infrastructure we build; it’s about how we intentionally design the communities of tomorrow from the ground up.
Come raise a glass, network with peers, and hear Kristy’s insights on community-centric design as we kick off the Summit together.
Finally, we are excited to welcome the official voice of OBS 2026: our event host, Steve Fleck! As one of North America’s leading endurance sports live announcers, Steve brings incredible energy and a lifelong passion for cycling. He’ll be guiding us through our entire three-day program, keeping us connected and on schedule.
The full agenda is coming soon, but you don’t have to wait. Secure your ticket today to join us for this incredible kickoff event 👉 here.
There is so much happening behind the scenes to make this our best summit yet—and several ways for you to get involved right now:
- Secure Early Bird Pricing (Save $199!)
Registration is officially live, and right now you can lock in your spot to help shape the next decade of Ontario’s transit landscape at our lowest rate.
Now until July 8: $600 + taxes & fees
July 8 onwards: $799 + taxes & fees
Register for OBS 2026 & Save $199
- Lead the Conversation: Call for Speakers Open
Do you have a project or story to share? We are looking for presentation proposals that showcase infrastructure treatments, planning and engineering initiatives, community safety mobilization, safe routes to school, or the micromobility revolution.
Submission Deadline: June 26, 2026
Submit Your Speaker Proposal Here.
- Showcase Your Brand
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain for organizations committed to safe, resilient infrastructure and programs that enhance road user safety. Reply directly to this email to request a sponsor package.
Whether you join us as an attendee, a speaker, or a partner, you will be part of the vital conversations that drive liveability in our communities.
We can’t wait to see you in Toronto this September!
Share the Road Gran Fondo
We are excited to announce that registration is now officially open for the 2026 Share the Road Gran Fondo.
Join us this September in Milton and across the Halton Region for a fully supported ride that brings together cyclists, communities, and partners in support of safer roads across Ontario. The event will once again depart from the Mattamy National Cycling Centre and feature three route options—40 km, 80 km, and 110 km—designed to showcase some of the best cycling roads in the region while accommodating a range of experience levels.
Participants can expect fully marked routes, rest stops every 20–30 km with hydration and fuel, and a strong on-road OPP support presence to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
More than just a ride, the Gran Fondo supports the ongoing work of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. Funds raised help advance safer cycling infrastructure, deliver education campaigns, and support advocacy efforts across the province.
This year’s event continues to honour OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, whose legacy remains central to our mission of creating safer roads for all.
Registration Details
Registration is $250, which consists of a $125 event registration fee and a mandatory $125 charitable donation. Participants will receive a charitable tax receipt for the donation portion, issued automatically through Race Roster.
Please note that completion of the $125 charitable donation is required in order to participate in the event. Confirmation of the charitable tax receipt will serve as verification that the donation has been completed. If a participant is registered but their charitable donation has not been processed and confirmed, they will not be eligible to take part until the donation is completed.
We look forward to welcoming riders, partners, and supporters for another impactful year.
Register here.
Bicycle Friendly Community Awards
Three weeks ago, we were proud to recognize Mississauga with a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community designation through the Share the Road Cycling Coalition’s Bicycle Friendly Communities program.
Our Board Chair, Eleanor McMahon, joined Mississauga City Council alongside Michael Stewart from CAA South Central Ontario to formally present the award and acknowledge the City’s ongoing commitment to advancing cycling infrastructure, active transportation, and safer streets for all road users.
CAA’s continued involvement in the Bicycle Friendly Communities program has played an important role in supporting municipalities across Ontario as they work toward building safer, more connected, and more accessible cycling networks. Their leadership within the active transportation and road safety space continues to help move important conversations forward at both the municipal and provincial level.
We would also like to recognize several additional communities that recently received Bicycle Friendly Community designations: Durham Region (Bronze), Kitchener (Gold), and Collingwood (Silver). These designations reflect the ongoing efforts of municipal staff, elected officials, community organizations, and advocates working to create safer and more welcoming environments for people who choose to cycle.
Congratulations to all four communities on their achievements and their continued commitment to active transportation and safer streets across Ontario.
