Toronto lawyer David Shellnutt knew a lot of people would be stuck at home and unable to access get what they need to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also knew a section of the community that would not hesitate to help.

Back in March when the stay-home measures started coming into effect, Shellnutt, a human rights and personal injury lawyer as well as an avid cyclist, reached out to the wide network of advocates and partners. The goal was to find a co-ordinated way to help people in need.

“It looked like vulnerable folks were going to have to stay home to stay safe as the pandemic started to more clearly unfold in Toronto,” he said, adding he also thought many people in the cycling community would like to pitch in. Plus, these riders were also isolated in their homes yet liked the outdoors, so he thought the idea of volunteering on two wheels would appeal to them.

“The cycling community in this city is made of up people who care about the betterment of Toronto, what better group of people to rely on when the city is in need?”

The discussions led to the creation of the Toronto Bike Brigade, a group of dedicated bike riders who are willing to pedal throughout the city running errands for those who are unable to do so themselves. That includes the elderly and people who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus, as well as anyone who is in quarantine and can’t easily venture outside.

Shellnutt had received some COVID-19-related training from the University Health Network, where he had been volunteering as a bike rider for its Friendly Neighbour Hotline to deliver groceries and other household essentials to seniors.

As momentum grew, the Toronto Bike Brigade teamed up with community organizations with ties on the grassroots level, including TO Cares, The People’s Pantry, and Parkdale Activity Recreational Centre. They created a spreadsheet where riders can sign up to indicate their availability for deliveries every day.

Bike Brigade riders are all equipped with a safety kit that contains gloves and a bike light, as well as health and safety info. They’re hoping to include masks in the kit soon.

Today the group counts over 500 cyclists who complete dozens of deliveries all over the city every day, from groceries to hot meals, pet food and medical prescriptions. Sometimes the community groups pay for these essentials, sometimes individuals themselves pay, and the brigade riders just do the pickup and drop-off.

Shellnutt said the free delivery services they’re providing will continue to be necessary as long as the isolation is still around, and he hopes many more riders across the city will join the effort.

“People are super thankful for our support and write in all the time to thank the individual riders,” he said.

“It’s lonely and scary out there for a lot of folks.”