What is B4UW?

Who We Are

Bike 4 United Way (B4UW) is an annual OPS/agency employee charity ride. We are looking for new and past riders to join us to demonstrate the OPS’ commitment to health promotion, staff engagement and volunteerism for charity. Funds raised through the ride will help the United Way’s network of member agencies and programs ensure that hundreds of thousands of Ontarians have access to vital social services when and where they need it most – in their community.

Thanks to the generous support of our friends, family and colleagues we have now raised over $250,000 in our 5 year history. This is a tremendous demonstration of the generosity and support for social services in Ontario. If you are interested in joining us or learning how you can support, please contact us at b4uw@ontario.ca

Our History

  • In 2012, an avid Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care cyclist conceived of the first-ever, province-wide, Ontario Public Service (OPS) charity event known as the Thunder Bay to Toronto Bike Ride (T2T) for United Way. Fifteen riders, representing six ministries, volunteered their time and resources to cycle the 1400-km route in early September 2012. The ride, which took 10 days to complete, galvanized staff to: make a difference in their community; live healthy, active lives and raise more than $55,000 for the annual fall United Way campaign

T2T_LogoT2Triders

  • Bike for United Way (B4UW) is the evolution of T2T … OPS staff doing epic bike rides for United Way!
  • The 2013 B4UW riders cycled from one of three cities – Ottawa, Windsor or North Bay – to Toronto. Each route took five or six days to complete, with all riders meeting at Queen’s Park on September 16. They raised over 50,000 for the OPS United Way campaign.
  • The 2014 B4UW riders cycled either a Toronto Southern Loop (September 2nd to 7th and 830 km) or a North Bay Northern Loop (September 11th to 15th and 660 km).
  • In 2015 we rode from Guelph to Kingston, in a not-so-direct route through Owen Sound and Peterborough. 7 days and 906km with many people joining for 3 days over the weekend.
  • In 2016 we looped through cottage country in southern Ontario. 4 days and 555km with many people joining for 3 days over the weekend.
  • In 2017, a scenic eastward route took the peloton from Kingston, along the St Lawrence to Quebec, along the Ottawa River to nearly Ottawa, west to the Rideau River, then back to Kingston.
  • In 2018, we went south to St. Catherines, with a tour that looped to Hamilton, across the sandbar to Burlington, then back south to Woodstock, Lake Erie, Turkey Point Provincial Park, then back to St. Catherines.