October 11, 2026 - (Ottawa, ON) On October 6, the annual Bike Day on the Hill event organized by Vélo Canada Bikes once again saw a successful gathering of politicians, cycling advocates, industry players and local cyclists in support of safe cycling infrastructure across Canada.
Two Senators, along with 16 Members of Parliament from every party, including two Ministers and a party leader, joined together in the nation’s capitol at Parliament Hill, to promote safe and secure cycling across the country and the funding needed to ensure it.
The celebration kicked off as Liberal Minister Julie Dabrusin and Senator Marty Deacon welcomed guests and spoke of the days when riding a bike was like a right of passage, and how cycling is woven into the fabric of Canadian communities coast to coast, including the importance of safe infrastructure.
Next up was the third annual Canadian Parliamentary Slow Bike Challenge on the Hill, where Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, took home the crown again, for the third year straight, by crossing the finish line dead last.
The gathering of around 150 cycling supporters then made their way to the Wellington Building for refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres.
Kate Walker, Board Chair at Vélo Canada Bikes, gave an overview of the National Active Transportation Strategy that began in 2021, and the Active Transportation Fund that was first established in 2024 with $400M by The Hon. Catherine McKenna, the former Minister of Infrastructure.
The initial $400M fund was flooded with over $3 billion in project applications by municipalities, testifying to the pent up demand for safe cycling infrastructure across Canada.
That funding led to over 320 projects being supported which included the building, or repairing, of over 200km of cycling infrastructure across the country.
Working behind the scenes, Vélo Canada Bikes was happy and relieved when Gregor Robertson, the new and current Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, announced a $500 million renewal of the AT Fund along with the first project, the expansion and update to the Riverside Trail in Tecumseh, ON.
Yet Walker pointed out that the original National Active Transportation Strategy expires this year and urgently needs to be renewed and modernized, in order to see more cycling projects successfully approved.
The event also recognized outstanding organizations and individuals with the Arnos National Cycling Advocacy Awards as Samuel Benoit, Executive Director at Vélo Canada Bikes, announced the four winners.
National Cycling Advocate of the Year Award: Paths for People (Edmonton, AB) for their volunteer-led, data-driven advocacy that secured a historic $100M city investment in active transportation and continues to defend local safe streets.
Inclusion in Cycling Award: Vélo Québec (Montréal, QC) for their groundbreaking Toutes à vélo program, which has empowered over 2,200 women across seven Quebec municipalities to overcome mobility barriers and embrace cycling.
Industry Award: Urban Racks (British Columbia) for providing innovative secure bike infrastructure across Canada while actively supporting community initiatives to champion everyday cycling.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to The Hon. Catherine McKenna (Toronto, ON) for her transformative leadership as former Minister of Infrastructure in establishing Canada’s first National Active Transportation Strategy and landmark $400-million dedicated fund.
Many other notable politicians were on hand at this year’s Bike Day on the Hill in recognition of their support for cycling including Conservative MP Gabriel Hardy, NDP MP Gord Johns, Bloc MP Andréanne Larouche, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
As the event wrapped up Walker and Benoit thanked all of the parliamentarians, volunteers, sponsors and attendees for “…making it another amazing celebration of cycling at the heart of our democracy. When politicians work together across party lines, real progress happens.”
For more information on Vélo Canada Bikes please visit here.
