MANITOULIN—Steve Redmond, court case manager and offender transport coordinator with the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be soon riding a Fat Bike up the James Bay coast from Moose Factory to Attawapiskat.
“I am taking part in the James Bay EPIC Fat Bike Ride in March,” Constable Redmond told The Expositor. The ride is designed to promote health and wellness while raising funds for youth bike programs along the James Bay coast. “We will be travelling from Moosonee to Moose Factory, Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Attawapiskat.”
Officer Redmond, a member of the OPP Cycling Team and five other team riders (all volunteers) from around Ontario will be participating in the ride from March 7-9. The program will be focused on positively engaging, influencing and mentoring youth through cycling and bicycle care.
“We will be riding 300 kilometres on our fat bikes on studded tires in weather that will be anywhere from minus five to minus 20 degrees,” said Constable Redmond. He explained, “we are hoping to present fat bikes to youth in these communities.”
“We are taking part in this to promote cycling to kids, show how to repair them and promote health as the bikes provide a healthy means of transportation,” said Constable Redmond. “We will be stopping along the way in the communities. We are hoping to give away 10 fat bikes (along with bicycle helmets).”
“The OPP has a cycling team of volunteers. Last year, we took part in the ‘Ride to Remember OPP Police Officers Memorial,’ travelling from Toronto to Ottawa,” continued Mr. Redmond. “We gave away bicycles, including a bike to a young girl in Durham who has autism and had her bike stolen from her. She was very touched by this and sent us a beautiful thank you card.”
“Another person who had moved here from a third world country was provided a bicycle that he uses as a means of transportation,” said Constable Redmond.
New Hope Community Bikes is partnering with the OPP, Ontario Cycling, and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, along with the communities on the west coast of James Bay to bring about this epic event. “Our aim is to partner with each local community to initiate youth bike programs, safe cycling education, skills and resources,” a release explains.
The OPP Cycling Team’s goal is to raise $100,000 said Constable Redmond. He pointed out around $10,000 has been raised locally through donations so far from the UCCM Justice Project and Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates.
For those people interested in making a donation the online link is James Bay EPIC Fat Bike Ride (zeffy.com).
