The Ecology Action Centre's Bike Buddy Program is a bike mentorship that pairs a newcomer ‘mentee’ with a local bicycle rider ‘mentor’. The goal of the Bike Buddy program is to help newcomers feel more confident riding their bicycle, explore the city and meet new people!
Participation - Mentor & Mentee
Participation - Mentor & Mentee
For Bike Buddy mentees (newcomers)
You are:
- A newcomer (immigrant, refugee, refugee claimant, migrant)
- Over the age of 18
- Able to ride a bicycle
- Able to commit to 3 months of bike rides
- Each meet-up is approximately 1-2 hours
- Approximately 30 hours total commitment
- If needed, participants will be gifted a secondhand bicycle, helmet, lights, lock and a bell
This year we are offering two cohorts, one in May-July and one in July-September. Each group has a maximum capacity of 20 participants.
We are no longer taking participants for the 2023 Bike Buddy program as the upcoming groups are full! Please send an email to bikebuddy@ecologyaction.ca to be added to the waitlist or to find out more about our other programs.
For Bike Buddy mentors (locals)
You are:
- An experienced local bike rider with access to a functioning bike
- Interested in showing a newcomer the city, bike tips, local points of interest etc.
- Able to commit to 3 months of bike rides
- Each meet-up is approximately 1-2 hours
- Approximately 30 hours total commitment
- Includes 3 hours of Bike Buddy mentor training
To participate, please fill out the Bike Buddy Mentor Intake Survey and Risk Liability and Photo Release Forms. Please email bikebuddy@ecologyaction.ca for more information.
Returning mentors, please fill out the Bike Buddy Returnee Mentor Survey.
Click here to view & download Bike Buddy health & safety incident report form.
National Study on Bicycle Mentorship Programs
National Study on Bicycle Mentorship Programs
The Bike Buddy Program is part of a national study measuring the impact of newcomer bicycle mentorship programs. The study is being conducted by academic researchers at Simon Fraser University and includes bike mentorship programs in Vancouver and Toronto.
Learn more about the national study on newcomer bicycle mentorship programs here.