“So when I talk about Black and Indigenous solidarity as necessary for our future survival, I’m not speaking in metaphors. I’m asking us to honour the history and struggles of our ancestors as we grapple with the aftermath.”

– Desmond Cole
(The Skin We’re In)

“So when I talk about Black and Indigenous solidarity as necessary for our future survival, I’m not speaking in metaphors. I’m asking us to honour the history and struggles of our ancestors as we grapple with the aftermath.”

– Desmond Cole
(The Skin We’re In)

What is B.I.CYCLE?

Black and Indigenous Cycle (B.I.CYCLE) is a grassroots community group that strives to improve access to cycling for historically opressed Black and Indigenous communities who continue to suffer from loss of generational wealth, lack of representation and racism. They have partnered with Cycling Canada and HopOn to help provide access to cycling programming in identified communities.

Mission Statement

Provide greater opportunity for historically disadvantaged Black and Indigenous individuals and communities to benefit from the physical and psychological benefits of cycling.

Activities & Goals

• Promotion of cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention
• Teaching of cycling skills through the HopOn program
• Identification and financial support for Instructor through Cycling Canada and its Provincial and Territorial cycling associations
• Donation of bicycles and cycling equipment
• Teaching of bicycle maintenance skills

Learn more about the HopOn program

HopOn is a game-based cycling program that teaches school-aged kids across Canada the joy of cycling safety.  We envision one of the main B.I.CYCLE sponsored activities to be the delivery of HopOn programming at no cost to eligible Black and Indigenous organizations and communities, through the relevant Provincial and Territorial HopOn programs.

To learn more about HopOn, please visit the main website.

Meet the B.I.CYCLE team

How can I support B.I.CYCLE?

If are interested in exploring a corporate donation/affiliation, and/or a large individual donation and want to support B.I.CYCLE activities and programs, please contact Vanessa Desjardins.

Become an Instructor

B.I.CYCLE believes that by supporting motivated individuals from historically disadvantaged Black and/or Indigenous communities to become accredited Instructors, not only will representation within the cycling community be improved, but local community program delivery can be customized by those who know their needs best.  Building capacity and expertise has the best hope of sustained engagement and inclusiveness in the greater Canadian cycling community.

Successful applicants will be supported to become Community Trained (total Cost $165 to $320, sponsored for eligible applicants).

Learn more about becoming a HopOn Instructor here.

Learn more about becoming a NCCP Certified coach here.

If you, or someone you know is interested in applying for support, please send an email to Jen Milligan from Cycling Canada. You will be sent a short application form.

Sponsor a B.I.CYCLE event in your community

We are always open to new ideas and contacts and will be looking for willing and eligible community partners to help co-create programs and activities, like a HopOn event.

Contact information:
B.I.CYLE: Dr. Amr Elmaraghy 
Cycling Canada: Vanessa Desjardins 
HopOn: Jen Milligan 

B.I.CYCLE Reading List

The following list is not exhaustive, merely suggested as having helped us as an organization and as individuals in our own personal learning and growth journey. We think it’s a great place to start. We are also happy to field other suggestions or additions to this list.