Officers Help Kids Feel Joy of Cycling

Since 2021, Toronto Police 22 Division Neighbourhood Community Officers have been teaching youth basic riding skills, fitting them with helmets and sizing them for bikes.

At the end of the program, they are gifted the bikes and equipment.

“I think it is really cool,” said Nadia Morou, whose daughter Aicha took part in the program last year. “We are friends of the police officers, which is something that doesn’t usually happen.”

Bikes Without Borders donate the bikes while Canadian Tire provides helmets and knee pads.

“Sometimes you take it for granted a simple thing as a bike and how important that can be in the life of a child,” said Constable Anthony Alexander. “We have a little bit more flexibility to be in our neighbourhoods. Without that ability to be rooted in our communities, I don’t think we would be able to do this program as effectively as we want it.”

The program helps kids in the West Mall and Islington City Centre neighbourhoods.

“It feels great because some people would like to have a bike,” said Paulita, who took part in the program last year.

A total of 30 young people between the ages of five and 16 received bikes in 2024.

“The police are nice, helpful and a very important part of our family,” said Paulita’s mother.