Smart Commute – Community based travel program
Smart Commute programs support residents and businesses to try transit, carpooling, cycling or walking, as a more sustainable way to get around York Region. The aim is to reduce traffic impacts, lower emissions, and improve air quality while helping commuters save time and money.
June is Bike Month!
Celebrate by riding your bike for your commute to work, when taking a break, running errands in your neighbourhood, or riding with your friends, family or others! Cycling is a great way to exercise, get around and to discover your community.
Smart Commute is hosting a variety of bike focused webinars and events throughout the month of June. Check them out below:
Webinars
Discover Smart Commute: A Sustainable Commuting Program for Organizations in Ontario
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m. – Jesse Han (pointA)
Learn about the Smart Commute program and app, and how it can help you plan a route to work, find a carpool and log your trips!
Safe Cycling 101 - Cycle Toronto
Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.
Cycle Toronto will guide you through everything you need to know about biking with confidence in Toronto. Topics include: equipment and bike fit, safe riding techniques, rules & responsibilities, interactions with others, choosing your route & more.
The Impact of Cycling Facilities on Travel Behaviour Change
Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m. – Dr. Raktim Mitra (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Learn about how cycling infrastructure can be made safer, more convenient and efficient based on evidence-based studies.
Vision Zero
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m. – Adam Sweanor (City of Toronto)
Learn about the road safety program Vision Zero delivered by the City of Toronto and across Ontario.
Basic Bike Maintenance - Cycle Toronto
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.
In this workshop, Cycle Toronto will show you how to maintain your bike. Topics include: safety checks, assessing air pressure and flat tires, tightening your brakes, lubing your chain, and ensuring your bike is the right fit.
The Case for Bike Lanes as a Health Equity Issue
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m. – Judy Noordermeer (Wellesley Institute)
Commuting by bike is a good way to address community health, learn more about the impacts and how decision-makers identify benefits.
Events
Bike Day - Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill
When: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Where: WSP - 150 Commerce Valley Dr W, Vaughan
Bike Day - Newmarket (Smart Commute Central York)
When: Sunday, June 8th, 2025 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Central York Chamber of Commerce, 470 Davis Drive, Newmarket
Markham Cycling Day
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Markham Main Street, Markham
Hosting a community event during Bike Month? Visit bikemonth.ca to add to the calendar!
Log your bike trips for a chance to win a gift card!
How to participate:
Take a trip by bike during the month of June, to work, for recreation, errands, etc.
Register and log into the Smart Commute app during the month of June
Simply log a bike trip for an entry ballot for a chance to win a $50 e-gift card!
Every cycling trip logged during the contest (max 2 per day) is an entry into the random draw for the prizes.
Read the Contest rules and regulations.
Smart Commute in York Region
Smart Commute is a community-based program supported by York Region, in partnership with the Cities of Markham, Richmond Hill and the Town of Newmarket, that works with employers in York Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area with carpooling support, workplace-led training, engagement events and customized commuter projects.
If your workplace is in York Region and interested in learning about the Smart Commute program, please contact the Smart Commute office in your area:
- Smart Commute Central York
Servicing the Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Newmarket, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Township of King - Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill
Servicing the City of Markham and Richmond Hill - Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan
Servicing the City of Vaughan
For information about customized programs, please view the York Region Smart Commute brochure.
Initiatives
Getting to Work
Smart Commute offers employers:
- Site assessments and surveys to understand employee commute behaviour
- Customized action plans to encourage employees to explore and try out smart travel options
- Tools to facilitate change include:
- Exclusive carpool ride-matching programs
- Emergency Ride Home programs
- Discounted transit pass programs
- Telework programs and flexible work arrangements
- Walking and cycling programs
- Fun events and promotions
Community Initiatives
Smart Commute partners with Transportation Demand Management (TDM) stakeholders across the Region to support transportation initiatives and sustainable land use. In York Region, this includes focusing on community-based programs aimed at:
- Promoting active and sustainable transportation infrastructure and connections to mobility hubs
- Shifting travel behaviour away from single occupancy vehicles
- Encouraging active and sustainable school travel
Travel Options
- Carpooling allows you to feel even more satisfied with your commute by sharing a ride with coworkers and spending less on gas!
- Transit takes you for a ride, sit back and relax with music or enjoy a book
- Cycling is a flexible mode of transportation but also carries many health benefits
- Walking is a great chance to step outdoors and enjoy the weather
- Flexible Work Arrangements or telecommuting, where offered, can reduce a trip to the office and allow for signing-in or meeting remotely to get the job done
- Emergency Ride Home is offered to Smart Commute member workplaces when it’s needed most - if you use a sustainable method of commuting to work and have an unforeseen emergency
Emergency Ride Home
As an employee at a participating Smart Commute workplace, you are eligible for Emergency Ride Home (ERH) reimbursement. If you have an unforeseen emergency on any day you use a sustainable method to commute to work, you can request reimbursement of up to $75 for your emergency transportation costs. Ensure you retain all emergency transportation receipt(s).
For more information, please contact your local Smart Commute office.
