Bike Week runs from June 1 to 9 and features over 40 events from different community groups

Bike Week runs from June 1 to 9 and features over 40 events from different community groups.

"There's tons of events happening by lots of different cycling organizations and bike shops and community groups," says Anika Riopel, who runs the Welcoming Wheels program, an initiative to get more immigrants and newcomers involved with cycling.

In partnership with the Ecology Action Centre (EAC), Riopel says Welcoming Wheels provides education and access to cycling for newcomers.

"We work really closely with ISANS," she explains. "We're giving them tools, we're giving them access to bikes, we're giving them access to resources that will allow them to bike around the city safely."

Welcoming Wheels will host a few events during Bike Week, including a bike auction fundraiser on Monday, June 3 at Good Robot Brewing.

"We're raffling off two bikes, and all of the money going towards Welcoming Wheels and Bike Again," says Riopel.

Bike Again is a DIY bike refurbishing space on Charles Street in Halifax, run by volunteers. They share their space with Welcoming Wheels.

"People can bring in their bikes and there are volunteers around to help teach people how to fix their bikes," Riopel says in an interview. "It's all by donation."

Although rain is expected for most of Bike Week, Riopel doesn't think that will dampen cyclists' spirits.

"The cycling community is strong and robust. There might be a few people who stay home, but I think we'll still have good turn out," she says.

And Riopel is keen to mention that Bike Week events aren't just happening on the peninsula, but all over HRM.

"There are events happening out in Sheet Harbour, in Clayton Park and in Fairview and in Bedford," she says. "There's a bike ride Wednesday that's along the ocean that's in partnership with Ocean Week."

HRM also announced in a release earlier this week that ferry service will be free to all those with a bike during Bike Week.

Riopel says cycling is growing in Halifax thanks to advocacy and activists at the Halifax Cycling Coalition and other organizations.

"They do really wonderful work promoting the cycling infrastructure," she says. "And encouraging more people who are interested in learning to cycle, who are apprehensive to get out there and feel safe and confident."

The cycling community is making big waves in Halifax, influencing things like the Integrated Mobility Plan, Riopel says, and they are always welcoming new cyclists.

"The community is super wonderful and welcoming," she says. "They're always really excited to talk about bikes and encourage people to participate and get on."

For the full list of Bike Week 2019 events, visit the Halifax website.