Empowering Indigenous Youth through Biking, Leadership and Skill-building

The Discovery Routes ReCycle Bikes Workshop was a hub of learning and collaboration on May 24th as Indigenous youth and community members from the Teme Augama Anishinabek community on Bear Island took part in cycling education and bike repair training.

The initiative is part of Hamilton-based New Hope Community Bikes Indigenous Bike Program, which supports Indigenous youth through cycling, leadership development, and hands-on skill-building opportunities.

Earlier this year, Discovery Routes volunteer bike mechanics joined New Hope Community Bikes and community volunteers on Bear Island to help assemble new bicycles for local youth. The bikes were funded through community fundraising efforts, including the Bear Island Ice Road Challenge. The project marks the beginning of a longer-term initiative rooted in community relationships and guided by local strengths and priorities. Future plans include expanded cycling education, bike repair skills, and eventually the development of a community bike shop on Bear Island.

This weekend’s programming included Ride Smart bicycle education training sessions on Bear Island and in North Bay, with support from local mountain bike instructor, Connie Hergott. A bike repair skills clinic was also held at the ReCycle Bikes workshop in North Bay, led by volunteers from Discovery Routes ReCycle Bikes Program.

“Biking offers youth a healthy, accessible way to connect with the land, each other, and themselves,” said Aleida Dean of New Hope Community Bikes. “The ultimate goal is to support youth with the tools and spaces they need to lead and thrive while strengthening their communities from the ground up.”

“Being an isolated community we are always looking for new ways to engage the youth of Bear Island,” says Sgt. Tom Saville, Bear Island Police. “A large part of the Bear Island Police community initiatives involves building relationships with the youth of the community and to provide them with a safe and positive environment to spend their free time. We were excited to partner with Maranda Mathias, principal of the Laura McKenzie Learning Centre on Bear Island, and New Hope Community Bikes to bring Ride Smart to the community. We plan on expanding this initiative to incorporate land-based bicycling adventure.” 

New Hope Community Bikes is a Hamilton-based charitable organization that uses bicycles as a tool for education, empowerment, and community development. Through its Indigenous Bike Program, New Hope partners with Indigenous communities to support youth leadership, cycling access, and long-term community-driven bike initiatives. More about New Hope at newhopecommunitybikes.com.