FAQs
All your questions about the BIKE. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact our bike team.
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The BIKE is first and foremost a fundraising event, which is produced to raise funds for research, innovation care and education in Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The incidence of dementia is expected to double by by 2031 and disrupt many aspects of life for an aging population, their caregivers, and even the health care system.
We are here to help with any fundraising questions. Check our our fundraising resources to see how easy it can be to reach well beyond the minimum of $175.
A fundraising minimum is established in order to participate in the event. Participants who have not reached their fundraising minimum before the event are asked to make a self-donation or raise the required amount prior to being permitted to ride on any of the routes.
Fundraising minimum requirement for any of the routes is $175 for riders 16 and older. Riders 15 and under are not required to raise $175 but are encouraged to raise funds for participating.
Please note: Participants are required to show the minimum amount to participate on their personal pages. On teams, each rider on a team is required to raise the minimum to participate.
A non-refundable registration fee is required. This fee helps cover administrative and operational costs for the Mattamy Homes Bike for Brain Health.
The registration fee does not count towards your fundraising minimum. If you are unable to attend, any fees paid will become a donation to Baycrest and you will receive a tax receipt for a portion of the registration fee.
Registration fees are not tax receiptable.
All cyclists are required to register online before participating in the event and will need to sign a waiver.
Yes you can. However, registering in advance gives you more time to reach your minimum fundraising goal.
If you register on event day, you will need to pay both your registration fee and your minimum fundraising amount before participating.
Yes, there are 4 rest stations along the route, which will have snacks and water.
We have four route lengths: 10km, 25km, 50km and 75km. Check out our route maps.
There are currently more than 500,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia in Canada. As the population ages, the number of people with dementia or cognitive impairment in Canada is expected to almost double to about 1.4 million by 2031. At Baycrest, our work helps to preserve and extend the cognitive and emotional well-being of older adults.
Donors to the Baycrest Foundation play a critical role in keeping Baycrest running as government funding only makes up about 64% of our revenue. Contributions to the Foundation go to support Baycrest’s most urgent needs, encompassing all aspects of assistance towards our organization’s operational requirements and care for the 1,100 older adults who call Baycrest home.
One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the Baycrest Foundation, some of which support the cost of the event. Proceeds are then invested in leading-edge cognitive neuroscience research, advancements in the mitigation of age-related illness and impairment and the care and treatment of patients living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other brain function related illnesses.
Absolutely. Bike for Brain Health in support of Baycrest will make a profound impact on the Baycrest Foundation’s mission to support Baycrest, a global leader in brain health and aging.
To provide crucial funding for breakthrough research into cognition, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and aging brain health; medical programs and services for older adults living in our community; and education that supports healthy aging and healthcare solutions for a growing aging population.
Personal tax receipts will be emailed immediately after all on-line donations.
Corporate donations / sponsorships, and donations that are mailed in will have a slight delay while it is being processed.
Tax receipts are not issued for Registration fees. However, donations made to the event are, providing these conditions are met:
- The donation is $10 or greater.
- The tax receipt is being issued to the person who made the donation.
- The tax receipt information and donations are received within 60 days after the event with all donor contact information.
- All other CRA conditions are met.
Your supporters can donate using cash, cheques or credit card. Access the offline forms here. Once you’re finished fundraising, you can submit the offline donations/pledges by mail or in-person to:
Baycrest Foundation
Attn: Bike for Brain Health
3560 Bathurst Street,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6A 2E1
We have made fundraising easy!
Step 1: Log in to your Participant Centre
Step 2: Upload your address book
Step 3: Use one of our pre-written emails or create your own
Step 4: Send it out to all of your family and friends!
You will be notified when someone sponsors you, and you can send Thank You emails from your Participant Centre.
Registration fees and donations cannot be refunded, transferred to another participant or deferred to the following year.
Yes, this is permitted. The child must be registered for the event and wear a helmet. Fundraising is not required but certainly encouraged. No pets allowed in trailers or on the route.
For the safety of all riders, please cycle on the right side of the road if you have a trailer, are riding at a moderate pace, and/or are riding with children.
There is limited paid parking on the Exhibition grounds. We strongly recommend using public transit or riding to the event if possible.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. The start line closes at varying times depending the the route you are riding. Please see the details on the Bike Routes page.
Unfortunately, we will be a cashless event. Cheques and all major credit cards will be accepted.
Click here for directions.
If it has pedals, you can ride it. The includes e-bikes, pedal-assisted bikes, unicycles, tricycles and cargo bikes.
Yes! We will have 4 rest stops along the route where you can grab a snack and some water. Each stop is placed approximately 10km-12km apart.
We take road safety very seriously. We will have route marshals along the roads, as well as EMS and Paid Duty Toronto Police.
For the safety of all riders, please cycle on the right side of the road if you have a trailer, are riding at a moderate pace, and/or are riding with children.
When encountering large groups of riders, it is incumbent upon you to prepare and know basic cycling etiquette.
Yes! We will have 4 rest stops along the route where you can grab a snack and some water.
You sure can! You can join us as a volunteer. Sign up on our website to let us know your availability.
Personal tax receipts will be emailed immediately after all on-line donations.
Corporate donations / sponsorships, and donations that are mailed in will have a slight delay while it is being processed.
Wear comfortable clothing that is safe for cycling. Please note that a helmet is mandatory, and must be worn at all times while cycling on the roadways.
For longer distances, consider wearing padded bike shorts.
For cooler, early morning rides, consider wearing lights layers of tops to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the event.
Yes, at any time! Contact the Bike for Brain Health team, and we will be happy to change your route distance.
Check out our route maps and distances here.
YES! All ages are welcome at this event! However, all children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult and be registered as a participant.
This is a rain or shine event, however, in the event of extreme weather, we may need to cancel for everyone’s safety.
Bike for Brain Health will take place at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. (MAP)
Yes but only E-Bikes that are considered Class 1, having pedal assist only, no throttle and a maximum speed of 32 km/h.
Everything you need to know about volunteering is here.
