Events

In collaboration with Bike City, Produced by the City of Toronto.

Picture a Toronto cyclist, and what do you see: a well-to-do downtowner riding a “fixie”, or a sporty suburbanite clad in Lycra? Look a little deeper though, and you may be surprised by what you find.

BIKE MINDS is Toronto’s bicycle-themed storytelling event, where guests share personal, positive, and inspiring stories related to cycling.

Over its first four sold-out events from January to April 2018, BIKE MINDS explored cycling through four themes: Belonging, Lifestyle, Discovery, and Identity. We heard stories from a wide range of backgrounds, including newcomers, neighbours, civil servants, and community leaders, who've all had unique and powerful experiences related to cycling.

The theme of this special-edition episode is Bikes+Transformation, and will feature stories of how cycling has transformed people’s lives, plus a story from Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett of Modacity about their new book, Building the Cycling City. 

This event is produced in collaboration with Bike City: How industry, advocacy and infrastructure shaped Toronto's cycling culture, an exhibit currently running at The Market Gallery. Bike City is produced by the City of Toronto.

6:00PM - Doors open
6:30PM - Event starts
8:00PM - Stories end, mix-and-mingle

FEATURING STORIES FROM:
- Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett, Founders of Modacity and Authors of Building the Cycling City
- Mahita Thota, CultureLink Bike Host Mentor and Toronto Newcomer
- Coralie Bruntlett, 12-year-old Vancouverite who rides a bike (but isn’t a cyclist)
- Dean Psarras, the "Converted Cyclist": husband and father who hated his car commute and started biking instead
- Madeleine Cho, Youth Volunteer at Charlie’s Freewheels and Mental Health Advocate

The bicycle supports the first steps of newcomers to Toronto, brings us closer to friends and family, and teaches us more about ourselves than we ever could have imagined. Whether you’re a casual rider, a passionate advocate, or simply a fan of great storytelling, we hope you’ll join us in celebration of all the bicycle has to offer, at this positive and inclusive event.

BIKE MINDS is co-hosted by Matt Pinder, author of the blog Beyond the Automobile, and Michelle Kearns, transportation professional and cycling researcher at the University of Toronto.

To find out more, visit www.beyondtheautomobile.ca/bikeminds.

This special edition of BIKE MINDS is made possible through the support of the City of Toronto, the Metcalf Foundation, and our volunteers. This event is family-friendly and the venue is accessible.

Announcing the Ottawa launch of the new book byMelissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett (Modacity), Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality. Chris and Melissa will be there for a presentation and to sign copies of the book. Expect beer, food, laughs, and learning as they discuss the process of the Netherlands becoming a cycling-friendly culture and place, and what is happening in North America.

Bike parking will be available on site.

Accessibility info: There is a set of stairs leading to the venue entrance. Bathrooms are located down a flight of stairs in the basement.

On Thursday, August 30th, please join us at Siboire Brewpub (5101 St-Laurent Blvd.), to celebrate the release of the book Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality.

Expect beer, food, laughs, and learning as  Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett discuss the process of the Netherlands becoming the world's top cycling nation, and how North American cities are starting to implement Dutch-inspired ideas and infrastructure. 

Copies of the book will be available for sale. 

Doors open at 6:30pm. The program starts at 7:00pm.

The Bike Talk Social Hour is a monthly event held at Aeronaut and put on by The Somerville Bicycle Committee. The idea behind the series is to bring together the cycling community- cyclists, bike advocates and the bike curious to socialize over beer and share their joy of cycling. The September Bike Talk features Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett, co-founders of Modacity and authors of Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality. Come out and share a beer and hang out with fellow bicycle advocates and bike enthusiasts.