Portagers finally got another chance to get out with the community for all sorts of themed bike rides.

Portage Bike Week returned after three years of being unable to run. The event ran from May 27th to June 2nd. Members of the Portage Active Transportation Committee Morag Morison and Heather Bruce attended the Portage City Council meeting on June 26th to present how the week fared to council.

"I always love the Cookie Ride (a ride designed for families to ride together and enjoy treats) because it's great to see families out riding their bikes, parents and kids, and they're just excited to be out there," explains Bruce when asked which event was her favourite. "Sometimes, it's the kids talking the parents into doing the whole route. The Cookie Ride has a special place in my heart."

Cookie ride poster.

Morison says her favourite part of the week was the kickoff. The number of things going on, whether it be a craft station to make streamers for your handlebars, or the Junk Yard Dogs being in attendance to fix up any broken bikes.

"The City has done such a wonderful job in creating bike routes and active transportation routes," notes Morison. "It's really awesome to be able to have a week and have events to use those together as a group."

Bruce notes that numbers were low compared to previous years, but that was due to a few factors, such as the weather being uncooperative as well as the event returning from its hiatus. They hope to see more Portagers out and about, not just for Bike Week next year, but in the time leading up to it as well.

"I see people biking all the time and I love to see it when I'm out and about," says Morison. "The pathways are always busy and it's so wonderful to see people using those, so we encourage people to get out and use those year-round."

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