News Release

August 22, 2012
For immediate release

Harper Government Supports Safe Cycling

Fact Sheet: Funding to Enable Active and Safe Cycling

(Toronto, Ontario) – Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, today announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, support for a project to reduce cycling injuries by promoting safe and healthy cycling practices among children and youth.

Parliamentary Secretary Colin Carrie, accompanied by
Kristen Gane (Parachute Canada), and Danny Anckle
(Dovercourt Boys & Girls Club) (left of MP Carrie),
listen to Andy Wilson (CAN-BIKE) as he explains how to
effectively fit and wear a protective helmet to Rosie Burke,
in Toronto 22 August 2012.

“High speeds, lack of equipment and limited experience can lead to cycling injuries,” said Parliamentary Secretary Carrie. “Today's investment will provide young Canadians and their families with cycling skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe from injury while leading an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Safe Kids Canada will develop the Enabling Active and Safe Cycling for Canadian Children and Youth project, a public awareness campaign to promote safe cycling practices. The project will also increase the availability of CAN-BIKE programming to help children and youth develop cycling safety skills. In addition, community groups and partners like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada will distribute low-cost and no-cost bicycle helmets.

“No parent wants to see their child hurt when they are being active.” said Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director at Safe Kids Canada. “We're taking action to help prevent as many injuries as we can by promoting safe cycling practices among children and youth to keep them active and safe.”

Through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Active and Safe initiative, the federal government supports a number of projects that focus on preventing injuries among children and youth by reaching Canadians in the communities where they live and play. Active and Safe encourages community level action to increase sport and recreation safety awareness.