This year, Cyclo Nord-Sud plans to distribute around 300 refurbished bicycles to temporary foreign workers (TFW) in several regions of Quebec. The aim is to bring greater mobility and autonomy to these vulnerable and isolated TFW.
Text and photos Marie-Anne Dayé
In Cyclo Nord-Sud’s treasure chest, the hundreds of bikes are meticulously arranged according to the destination and project to which they have been assigned. Some will be sent to Togo, others will be used to improve women’s mobility in Quebec, and others will go into the hands of migrant workers as part of the Migrant Worker Support Program funded by the government of Canada. Some will even be sent to TFW in the Îles de la Madeleine! The organization also works to raise awareness and provide tools to the population of the Côte-des-Neiges and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhoods through their Vélorution CDN-NDG project.
Before delivery, the bikes are first collected from the Montreal warehouse and repaired. Those that have had a hard life need new parts, while others only need a few touch-ups before they meet their new owner. They are then checked and tested to ensure they are safe and ready for use. Dedicated volunteers ensure that every step is carried out with care.
Festive distribution
It’s at cultural or sporting events, orchestrated by local organizations, that the Cyclo Nord-Sud team deploys its fleet of freshly refurbished TFW bikes. According to Ben Valkenburg, Project Manager at Cyclo Nord-Sud, “it changes lives”, no less. “Our mission is to transform lives through access to mobility and active transportation, and to bring a cycling culture to migrant communities that are more dependent on walking or driving. If they have their own bike, they can travel greater distances, especially in a remote or isolated environment”. What’s more, it’s a way of breathing new life into objects that still have potential.
At a soccer tournament organized by Actions interculturelles de développement et d’éducation (AIDE) on May 21, 2023 in Sherbrooke’s Atto-Beaver Park, some 200 participants were able to stretch their legs by playing their favorite sport, discover or rediscover old-fashioned games such as spinning top, enjoy Cuban and Peruvian dishes, and relax on their day off. Members of the Centre d’aide aux familles latinoaméricaines (CAFLA) team were also on hand to provide health information to participants. Finally, 40 workers were able to leave with their new two-wheeled means of locomotion!
Find out more about Cyclo Nord-Sud’s bike distribution in this video.
