Gearheads donates elite E-bike for OVCATA raffle

Gearheads gives OVCATA a big boost with donation of a Specialized e-bike for a fund-raising raffle. From left: OVCATA Board members Eric Price and Ron Moss and Gearheads owners Margo Johnson, Mark Johnson.

Gearheads gives OVCATA a big boost with donation of a Specialized e-bike for a fund-raising raffle. From left: OVCATA Board members Eric Price and Ron Moss and Gearheads owners Margo Johnson, Mark Johnson.

PETAWAWA: Many people don't know what an E-bike is yet, but some lucky person is going to win one in a November raffle organized by the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance (OVCATA).

The bike, a a Specialized Turbo X e-bike worth more than $5,000 donated by Mark and Margo Johnson, owners of Gearheads in Petawawa, is being used to raise money for the OVCATA's activities promoting cycling, walking and other non-motorized transportation. Tickets for the raffle cost $5 and will be sold at Gearheads and by OVCATA at events like the Tour de Whitewater and Tour de Bonnechere and by OVCATA members. One thousand tickets were printed.

"Mark and I are both passionate about the business and we are very proud to be a part of this community," said Margo Johnson, who has owned the store with her husband since 2017. "We love biking, skiing and the outdoors. Plus we are taking care of our health and showing our kids how important it is to stay active even as an adult."
 

E-bikes are electrically assisted bicycles. Gearheads and OVCATA see e-bikes see them as helpful to getting people to overcome reluctance to ride. "E-bikes offer the opportunity to improve your overall strength throughout your body," said Margo. "Whether you are a long-time bike rider or someone brand new to our favourite hobby. Everything from steering, pedaling and balancing an ebike, promote stronger and healthier muscles, bones and joints. Specialized turbo/ebikes allow you to go further, faster as you rediscover the joy of cycling. The e-bike provides just the right amount of pedal assistance in any situation.

OVCATA's co-chair, Ish Theilheimer, and its secretary, Ron Moss, welcomed the donation. "The people at Gearheads are visionaries," said Ron Moss. "They have been leaders in active transportation for years in Renfrew County. We are so thankful for their generosity."

OVCATA plans to have e-bike demonstrations around Renfrew County to encourage their use. "The e-bike is a good way to get people onto bikes who were hesitant," said Moss.

A prime goal for Gearheads is "to make Renfrew County a hub of outdoor tourism in Ontario as a part of the Active Transportation Network," Margo Johnson says. "The network already provides a myriad of opportunity for cyclists of all ability to explore this incredible region in both built up and natural environments. We are also hopeful that encouraging active transportation will have a positive impact on the overall health of the community and encourage families to take part in these activities together, promoting life long habits for children to keep active and engaged in a healthy lifestyle."

Year: [All] | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

April 2024

ONTARIO CYCLE TOURISM & CYCLING ACTIVITY REPORT
A complete and detailed report on the state of cycle tourism in Ontario.

December 2023

2023 OVCATA annual meeting summary and co-chairs' report

October 2023

Action group formed to cash in on cycle tourism by promoting Trail Towns

September 2023

Arnprior brainstorming session will plan how towns can cash in on cycle tourism

August 2023

Trail towns - what are they and how to make YOUR town one of them

February 2023

OVCATA receives 2022 community service award

January 2023

2022 Bike Bank report
2022 Co-chair's report

June 2022

OVCATA Opens Bike Bank Renfrew County for 2022

May 2022

County of Renfrew and OVCATA celebrate expansion of cycling networks
Silver Chain Challenge is back - enter and log your klicks in June

February 2022

OVCATA and MPP John Yakabuski support road safety education and enforcement

November 2021

Volunteers send bikes to Cuba from Eastern Ontario, with sweat and love

July 2021

Bike Bank reaches 100-bike milestone

November 2020

County municipal leaders and staff hear how Petawawa is becoming a Bicycle-Friendly Community "one bite at a time"

October 2020

Fall is a great time for cycling in the Ottawa Valley.
Petawawa Bike-Friendly Communities champion to speak to OVCATA AGM

May 2020

Algonquin Trail Report - May 2020
Citizens partner with County and OPP to make trails work for all despite pandemic - OVCATA

December 2019

Active Transportation is growing in the Ottawa Valley

October 2019

OVCATA launches municipal outreach campaign

August 2019

OVCATA salutes Tour de Whitewater success, setting records for participation, activity

June 2019

The Ottawa Valley is a cycling paradise

April 2019

Renfrew County Council to lead on Active Transportation Month activities in June
Gearheads donates elite E-bike for OVCATA raffle
Volunteering at OVCATA - there's a place for you
Highway 17 rumble strips could have fatal consequences - OVCATA
2018 a big year for Active Transportation in Ottawa Valley

October 2018

OVCATA meets with Ontario's new transportation minister - our own MPP John Yakabuski

June 2018

OVCATA promotes active transportation for seniors with provincial support

March 2018

Join OVCATA - Win A Bike

December 2017

Local cycle routes win big with December provincial funding!
Education is key to bike collision prevention - OPP Sergeant

October 2017

OPP to share bike collision stats at Renfrew OVCATA meeting
OVCATA Co-chair's report for 2017 - a lot accomplished in Year 1

June 2017

New provincial cycling funding could be used in Renfrew County - OVCATA

May 2017

Help Sprocketman fly! Online cycling advocacy music video

April 2017

RIDE OF SILENCE 2017
OVCATA thanks Renfrew County Council and asks for more commitment.
Voyageur Discovery Route Funding a big step toward trans-Canada cycle route.
Community Rides in communities across Renfrew County this spring
Silver Chain Challenge relaunches in June, 2017
Adopt a Road

December 2016

New hardened shoulders in Renfrew County in 2016
The Algonquin Trail - tell municipal councillors you support it
OVCATA's vision for cycling in Ontario

November 2016

Share the Road Cycling Coalition wants to hear from you
MTO Public Consultation on Cycling Program

October 2016

Véloroute Voyageur / Voyageur Cycling Route would connect Northeastern Ontario

September 2016

Alliance responds to Minister Del Duca, presses for public education
Petition for cyclists and hikers in national parks
Partial lane for cyclists on Hwy 17 west of Petawawa