Owen Sound Sun Times: Public bike program off to strong start

Blue Mountains residents and visitors are already using some of the bicycles delivered to the town, says Lisa Kidd. Kidd said Mayor Ellen Anderson and Councillors John McGee and Cameron Kennedy took delivery of the 10 bicycles on Tuesday. “By Tuesday afternoon several of the bicycles were already being used and were left in bike racks,” said Kidd, The Blue Mountains’ communications and economic development co-ordinator.

Kennedy is also the president of Thornbury BIA. The public bicycles program is a partnership between the town and the BIA. The town is placing 11 bike racks at various spots throughout the community. These include the municipal office in Thornbury and Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay to coincide with the Telus Skins Game.

Before placing the bicycles in the racks, town staff outfitted each with a carrier containing a visitor’s guide and maps of the town. It also comes equipped with an orange fluorescent flag bearing the logo of The Blue Mountains. Anderson called the public bicycle program “a great step forward. The public bicycles will encourage people to visit and browse our wonderful community.”

The mayor added the public bicycle initiative also coincides with the town’s effort “to become more environmentally sustainable and to promote physical fitness.” Coun. John McGee said he is “pleased the town and the BIA were able to partner to provide people with an opportunity to enjoy touring the community in a conservation-minded way.”

BIA president Cameron Kennedy sees the public bicycle program as “a great way for visitors to be able to see the sights of our town without travelling by car.” Kennedy added that the Thornbury BIA is looking forward to having the bikes available for visitors and members of the community.

“We look forward to providing the opportunity for people to enjoy them for years to come.” Kidd said the town will provide four or five of the bicycles to the Raven Golf Course for the Telus Skins game. “After the Skins Game, we will leave some of those bicycles at Raven and deliver the others to various places in the town,” she said.