The Town of Collingwood has been recognized with two provincial honours celebrating its commitment to cycling and active transportation.
During the Ontario Bike Summit, Canada's largest cycling and active transportation conference, the Share the Road Cycling Coalition reaffirmed Collingwood's designation as a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community. The town was also recognized through a personal achievement by Councillor Deb Doherty, who received the Public Leadership for Cycling Award.
The Bicycle Friendly Communities program, launched by Share the Road Canada in 2010, evaluates municipalities on a range of criteria including engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, equity and evaluation. The program is designed to support communities working to create safer and more accessible cycling networks.
Collingwood first earned its Silver Bicycle Friendly Community designation in 2021 and has continued to invest in trails, cycling infrastructure, active transportation planning and programs aimed at encouraging safe cycling for residents of all ages and abilities.
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin said the awards reflect a community-wide effort to make active transportation a priority.
"These recognitions reflect years of work by many people, including Council, staff, community partners, volunteers, and residents who have helped make cycling and active transportation a priority in Collingwood," said Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. "We are proud to be recognized as a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community and congratulate Councillor Doherty on personally receiving this provincial award."
Doherty's Public Leadership for Cycling Award recognizes elected officials whose work has helped advance cycling infrastructure, safety and cycling culture within their communities.
The award is presented annually through Share the Road's Wheels of Change and Norma Moores Awards program. Recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by Share the Road's Board of Directors based on leadership, innovation and collaboration that support cycling across Ontario.
Town officials say the dual recognition highlights Collingwood's ongoing efforts to expand transportation options and strengthen connections through its growing network of cycling and active transportation infrastructure.
Residents can learn more about Collingwood's trails and active transportation initiatives at collingwood.ca/trails. Information about the Bicycle Friendly Communities program is available at sharetheroad.ca/bicycle-friendly-communities.
