MEDIA RELEASE September 30, 2016

2016 Bike Challenge roars to the finish line HALTON HILLS, ON – After a great season of cycling, the Halton Hills Community Bike Challenge flew over the finish line by logging the 400,000th kilometre on September 29. The 1871 participating cyclists successfully brought us back to Earth from the Moon and then completed a victory lap of Canada. “Logging 400,000 kilometres is outstanding for a community our size and was achieved by cyclists of every type and age contributing throughout the summer. We attracted many families with children of all ages as well as recreational cyclists and of course the ardent long distance cyclists. We needed every single one of them to be successful,” said Councillor Jane Fogal, Chair of the Bicycle Friendly Community Committee. “We are grateful that the BFC chose the Georgetown Hospital Foundation as the beneficiary of the Bike Challenge Sponsorships. Over its four years the Bike Challenge has raised $263,500 which is outstanding and very much appreciated.” said Jennifer McNally, the Foundation’s Manager, Annual Giving & Special Events. The Bike Challenge was launched on April 25 at Ethel Gardiner Public School with zero kilometres and zero participants. Over the course of the next four months hundreds of people were inspired to sign up and log their kilometres. An innovative website designed specifically for this event kept a running tab and provided participants with a record of their personal achievements. “I am really impressed that nearly twice as many cyclists signed up compared to last year. Congratulations to the volunteer committee that worked so hard to get the registrations up so high,” said Mayor Rick Bonnette. The Bike Challenge is a community event with a community reward. Due to the efforts of all these individuals and families an additional $60,000 will be donated to the Georgetown Hospital Foundation by the following generous sponsors: The Peter Gilgan Foundation - $25,000, CN - $25,000, PwC Epic Tour Halton - $5,000, Menkes - $2,500 and Superior Glove - $2,500. The $60,000 is in addition to the $25,000 donated in August at the 200,000 km milestone thanks to Georgetown Canadian Tire - $20,000, Young Dentistry - $1,000, CPI - $1,000, Generations Physiotherapy - $1,000, Betty D’Oliveira Realtor - $500, HealthSpan Wellness - $500, Dynamic Bodies - $500, and Sweet Sofia Bows - $500. In total the 2016 Bike Challenge raised $85,000 for the Georgetown Hospital Foundation making it one of their top fundraising events.

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A celebration is being planned for the afternoon of Saturday November 5 at the Georgetown Library and Cultural Centre. The Halton Hills Bike Challenge is organized by the Halton Hills Bicycle Friendly Community Committee. It is their mission to advocate for safer bicycle infrastructure, improve cycling skills, educate cyclists and drivers on safe practices, and encourage cycling by people of all ages. Members of the Bicycle Friendly Community Committee and Bike Challenge Marketing Team are: Ryan Carney, Susan Wery, Ramona Hendry, Glenn Price-Jones, Councillor Jane Fogal, Jennifer McNally, Ola Jiskra, Marnie Rojo-Torres, Betty D’Oliveira, Francis D’Oliveira ,Dan Ridgeway, Michael Merrall, Danica Spencer.

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For further information contact: Regional Councillor Jane Fogal Town of Halton Hills 1 Halton Hills Drive Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2 [email protected]