What is the Indigenous Bike Program

The Indigenous Bike Program is a community-led initiative that empowers Indigenous youth through biking, leadership, and skill-building. Rooted in relationships and guided by each community’s unique strengths, the program starts with local engagement and grows through hands-on events like cycling education and bike rodeos and eventually, a community bike shop. Biking offers youth a healthy, accessible way to connect, with the land, each other, and themselves. Along the way, participants learn practical bike skills, gain mechanical training, and can take on youth employment opportunities. The ultimate goal is to support youth with the tools and spaces they need to lead and thrive while strengthening their communities from the ground up.

Why Empower Youth Through Bikes

Biking is an accessible and empowering activity for remote Indigenous communities, offering both independence and connection. It allows youth to explore their surroundings, stay active, and build confidence, whether riding alone or with others. Without the need for formal structure, biking supports wellness, leadership, and community engagement, all while keeping youth connected to the land they call home.

Where We’ve Been and What We’ve Learned

The Indigenous Bike Program began in Pikangikum First Nation in 2017 and continues to thrive there today. Over the years, we’ve seen how access to bikes, tools, and training can build confidence and empower youth to take ownership. The youth in Pikangikum continue to operate a bike library, repair bikes, and maintain trails. This experience has shown us what’s possible, and we’re working toward expanding the program to support more Indigenous communities.

How You Can Help

The Indigenous Bike Program is powered by community donations, grant support, and creative fundraisers like the Ice Road Challenge, an annual fat bike ride across frozen lakes to raise funds for the Indigenous Bike Program in Pikangikum First Nation. Your support helps us deliver equipment, train youth, and grow this program in more communities. Whether you donate, volunteer, or ride with us, you're part of something bigger.

Indigenous Bike Program Supporters

This program is made possible by the generous support of our partners who share our commitment to community and positive change through bikes. Past partners include the Reserves Education Authority, local schools, the Ontario Provincial Police, and Moose Bicycles.

We're always looking to build new meaningful partnerships that help us expand our impact. Interested in partnering with us? Send us an email!

What is the Ice Road Challenge

The Ice Road Challenge is an unforgettable winter cycling fundraiser hosted by New Hope Community Bikes, in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police. Held in Northern Ontario, this unique event takes riders across frozen roads and snowy landscapes in a fun but challenging ride that tests both strength and resilience.

As part of the experience, riders will also have the opportunity to spend time in Pikangikum First Nation, where they can see firsthand the positive impact this fundraiser has on the community.

This is more than just a ride—it’s about connection. It brings people together to support one another, explore the land, and create lasting change through the power of cycling.

The Details

The riders taking on this challenge will ride approximately 125km on their fat bike from Red Lake, Ontario to Pikangikum First Nation. This ride will navigate snow, ice and extreme winter conditions with expected temperatures of -20°C to -30°C.  Riders are expected to bring their own fat bike and studded tires are required. Registration includes accommodations, travel (flights and bus), and most meals.

The event is fully supported, with safety teams, warm-up stations, and encouragement along the way.

Why Fundraise

Here at New Hope Community Bikes we recognise the impact that cycling can have on vulnerable populations, including Indigenous youth. Cycling allows youth to experience independence, develop healthy exercise habits, and engage in safe activities with their peers. The money raised from this fundraiser will provide Indigenous youth access to cycling education, community bikes, tools necessary to independently maintain those bikes, and the support to develop their own bike shop.