Many people ride their bike for the enjoyment, competition, and physical challenge, but on June 21, 2015, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) invites Canadians across the country to ride their bike to raise awareness for mental health. Ride Don’t Hide is a community bike ride hosted by CMHA which aims to help break the stigma surrounding mental health while raising essential funds to support mental health programs.
The Ride Don’t Hide movement began on August 1, 2010, as Michael Schratter, a Vancouver teacher and newspaper columnist, embarked on a global journey to cycle 40,000 km, crossing six continents and 33 countries and raising funds for CMHA. The 2010-11 Ride Don’t Hide campaign reached millions of people and raised $100,000 for CMHA’s child and youth mental health programs.
Since then, ride events have spread across Canada, with four provinces hosting more than 3,600 participants in 2014. Ride Don’t Hide became a national flagship program for CMHA in 2015, with the goal of 6,000 participants to ride in over 30 communities across 9 provinces and 1 territory.
The community event is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for riders of all ages and abilities—from novice rider to the advanced cyclist. Regardless of distance, riders will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, water to fuel the journey, and enjoy a fun bike ride for a great cause! To find locations and ride details, visit the Ride Don’t Hide website.