County resident Pamela Marsales has been an avid cycler for most of her life. Now, she plans to spend the next few months passing that love on to the Highlands community via programming at the new Caboose Community Bike Hub.
Located in Head Lake Park, the space was unveiled April 24 by Marsales, MPP Laurie Scott, and Dysart et al coun. Pat Casey. The project was pitched by Friends of the Rail Trail (FoRT), supported by Dysart, and funded by a $30,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.
Marsales has been leading the charge since March 2024, feeling the need for a recognized cycling hub in Haliburton County. She said free programs will likely launch this month “as soon as the weather is good enough.” Funding is in place until Sept. 30.
“It’s all about encouraging more people to get on a bicycle, and feel comfortable doing so,” Marsales said. “There will be programs for novice cyclists, which could be very young children who are ready for their first experience on a bike, to older kids who grew up not knowing how to ride and just need a gentle push to get going.
“We want to do something that’s fun, that doesn’t feel overly instructional. It’s about gaining confidence and developing an awareness of safety techniques,” she added.
She envisioned the caboose being open several days a week through summer – “definitely Tuesdays”, Marsales said, when Head Lake Park hosts the Haliburton County farmers market and Rotary’s Music in the Park concerts. It’ll also be open on weekends.
Not just for children, Marsales said some programs will also be open for adult participation. She recalled how, upon moving to the area from Toronto, she stopped cycling for a while after a few white-knuckle rides on County roads.
“It was the hills and the logging truck traffic – there was a nervousness about where and when it was safe for me to cycle,” Marsales said, noting it took her time to figure out best routes and riding practises. “I’m sure there are many people here who would like to cycle, but don’t. We want to find ways to bring those lapsed cyclists back.”
A program manager has been hired, with additional funds to be used for equipment, ranging from portable bike repair stands, to pylons, to children’s bike helmets. Marsales said FoRT is now looking for volunteers to assist with program delivery.
Scott said this was exactly the type of project OTF likes to support.
“The Caboose Community Bike Hub is bringing new energy to active living in Haliburton by creating accessible, inclusive cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities,” the MPP said.
Convinced the pilot will be a success, Marsales said FoRT is already preparing to apply for another round of funding, this time for two years’ worth of programming through an OTF Grow grant. She said that will allow for a more detailed expansion of the hub.
“Riding a bike can bring joy, freedom and mobility. Sometimes all that’s needed for people to experience those feelings is getting over fear, so that’s one of the main things we’d like to achieve this summer,” Marsales said. “Hopefully people participate, tell us what they like and what they don’t, then we can use that to shape the next phase.”
