October 23, 2025 - To build a bicycle-friendly Canada, cycling needs to be well represented at every level of government. On October 8th, Vélo Canada Bikes gathered 20 MPs (including four ministers), two Senators, national leaders, and the public in Ottawa for Bike Day on the Hill, a celebration of everyday cycling in Canada.
It was a focussed, non-partisan and joyful event that demonstrated that the movement for a bicycle-friendly Canada is growing in strength and diversity. This success was thanks to the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, our members and donors across the country, and a small group of like-minded organizations and businesses.
Our country, and cycling, is at a pivotal moment. The new federal government has focussed its sights on shoring up our economy and trimming the federal budget. Meanwhile, several provincial and local governments are translating misinformation into policy – scapegoating cycling and complete streets for congestion when we know that the opposite is true.
At Bike Day on the Hill our board chair, Kate Walker, spoke directly to the moment with her presentation Cycling for Canadian Prosperity, making a powerful case that continued federal support for safe, connected bicycle infrastructure and bicycle-friendly communities supports our country’s prosperity.
Vélo Canada Bikes is a membership-based organization. We work for our members by advocating at the federal level and supporting the work of local advocates. We recently secured $500 million for active transportation capital projects (which can be used by communities to build cycling infrastructure) within the new Canada Public Transit Fund.
But there is so much more work to do.
💰 We need to ensure ongoing Federal funding for active transportation.
📊 Advocates and planners need tools and data to make the case for cycling at the local level.
🚦The public needs the facts on the real relationship between bike lanes and congestion.
⚡️ Work needs to be done to unlock the potential of e-bikes and bring more trust into the market.
To meet the moment, we are going to need more members and donors. Our amazing members and donors provide us with the revenue and legitimacy we need to do this work. If you aren’t a member or a donor, please sign up today. We have membership options for individuals, non-profits, bike shops and businesses of different sizes.
Become a member here.
Donate to Vélo Canada Bikes here.
Thank you so much for your support.
