Over half of adults in Toronto are born outside of Canada. Through the unique partnership between the Toronto Cyclists Union and CultureLink Settlement Services, cyclists are helping make Toronto more welcoming for newcomers, and newcomers are experiencing more of Toronto by bike while expanding their networks and gaining Canadian experience.

This spring and summer, we're relaunching Bike Host, a program which matches newcomers who are open to cycling, with mentors who ride everyday and are confident on city streets. Our mentors are interesting and accomplished individuals from all walks of life. Together, mentor match groups carry out community project to enablel newcomer participants to gain Canadian experience and contribute to community-building, while getting to know Toronto by bike!

We've had some great coverage in the past week:

April 23, Toronto Star and Metro: “Newcomers to Toronto connect to the city on two wheels”

April 20, CBC’s “Here and Now”: Discovering the city – with a little help from some friends

April 17, Sing Tao (biggest Chinese newspaper in Canada):
http://news.singtao.ca/toronto/2012-04-17/headline1334653434d3814204.html

And earlier this year: in the online edition of the Toronto Star and as web feature of the Nature of Things.

Our next orientation and speedmatching date is Saturday May 19. Newcomers can find out more and register by calling Rubeen Chauhan at 416-588-6288 x231 or emailing rchauhan@culturelink.ca. More information is available here.