The third annual Bells on Danforth is set for Sunday, September 2014. We’re starting at East Lynn Park as always, but this year we’re riding to City Hall to join the party at BIKESTOCK, featuring performances by Countermeasure, Rambunctious, and Evalyn Parry. Check out the ride details and FAQ list for more information about the ride. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter.

Still on the fence about joining us? Look at how much fun riders have had on previous rides, then get off that fence and on your bike!

A lot of people have been asking us when to saddle up for Bells on Danforth 2014. You’re going to have to wait just a little bit longer: this year’s ride is on Sunday, September 14. More details will come, but mark the date on your calendars now and join us at East Lynn Park for the ride to BIKESTOCK at City Hall.

While you’re waiting for the big ride, be sure to tell your family and friends about it and ask them to join you this year.

If you’ve enjoyed the ride in previous years and want to volunteer to help this year, drop us a line at info@bellsondanforth.ca. No experience necessary!

Join us at East Lynn Park this Saturday, May 11, for a pedal-powered parade to celebrate cycling on Danforth. Gather at noon for the ride along Danforth to Queen’s Park, where we’ll meet Bells on Bloor, Bells on Yonge, and the Walk and Roll Caravan at the Cycle and Sole rally.

If you’re coming from farther east or just want a longer ride, join the group led by TO35Cycles and Ward 36 Cyclists that’s meeting at 11:00 a.m. at the Crossroads of the Danforth (Danforth Ave. and Danforth Rd.).

Here are some questions that we’ve been asked about this year’s ride:

1) Is it safe for children?

Yes! Bells on Danforth is a family event and we encourage parents to ride with their children of all ages. We will have a police escort and several additional ride marshals to keep riders together in one big group and eliminate conflicts with other traffic.

2) How fast does the ride go?

The group travels at a leisurely pace and you’ll almost certainly have no difficulty keeping up. Young children who aren’t able to ride longer distances at a slow but steady pace will enjoy the ride in a bike seat or trailer, or on a trail-a-bike.

3) I can’t ride the entire distance. Can I join along the way or drop out early?

Absolutely. We’re happy to have you along for as much of the route as you and your family wish to ride. If you want to join us along the way, just wait for the group on the north side of Danforth anywhere west of East Lynn Park. We don’t know exactly when we’ll be coming along, so your best bet is to be in position at noon. You won’t be able to miss us.

If you want to drop out of the ride early, just inform the ride marshals at the end of the group that you’re dropping out, then safely pull over to the curb at a convenient spot. If you don’t tell the marshals why you’re stopping, they’ll stop with you.

4) How do I get back home from Queen’s Park after the ride?

You can join one of the organized rides that will return to the east end. We’ll follow a different route back home and won’t have a police escort, but marshals will lead the group back to East Lynn Park. If your home is along the way, just drop out of the group with a wave when you turn into your neighbourhood.

You can also take your bike onto the TTC for a subway ride back home. We recommend cycling up to either St. George or Bay station from Queen’s Park.

5) Is it really fun?

Come to East Lynn Park at noon on Saturday and find out!

Bells on Danforth is just a week away! Several of our volunteers were at Castle Frank and Bloor on Friday morning, helping to publicize the ride to passing cyclists. We’ll be out again one morning next week; keep an eye out for Kathy’s great sign at the side of the street and stop to chat for a few seconds. And more importantly, don’t miss the ride next Saturday!

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Pump up your tires, Bells on Danforth 2013 is just two weeks away! We’re getting ready and you should be too. If you haven’t already taken your bike in for a spring tune-up, Cycle Solutions will once again be at East Lynn Park before the ride on Saturday, May 11 to give light tune-ups and bike advice.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and our Facebook event page for updates.

Thanks to more than 90 riders who came out for the inaugural Bells on Danforth ride on a chilly, windy Saturday afternoon on June 2 to celebrate cycling in Toronto and advocate for better infrastructure in the east end. Our first ride was a big success and we’re already looking forward to next year’s edition.

Many thanks to our sponsors:

• Cycle Solutions for setting up in East Lynn Park and offering tune-ups and advice to riders.
• Broom Wagon Cyclery for providing a package of giveaways that was distributed among cyclists.

We’d also like to thank the Toronto Police Service and Councillor Janet Davis (Ward 31, Beaches-East York) for joining us on the ride, Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (Ward 32, Beaches-East York) for providing behind-the-scenes support, and Albert Koehl for organizing the Cycle and Sole rally.

And we wouldn’t have been able to pull off the ride without our team of volunteers:

Anne Burbidge, Anthony Davison, Brendan Morrissey, Charlotte Young, Greg Burrell, Jim Neff, Joe Drew, Kathy Chung, Luke Siragusa, Mary Ann Neary, Murray Lumley, Paul Young, Peter Low, Randy Tsomis, Renata Janiszewska, Rob Wallis, Shawnte Clow, Tom Flaherty, Val Dodge, and Vivien Leong