Cycle Toronto has launched a new program aimed at boosting business on Bloor Street. Pick up a “Bike and Buy: Tour de Bloor Passport” from Cycle Toronto and have it stamped every time you eat or shop at one of 73 participating businesses between Avenue Road and Shaw Street. Passport-holders will be entered in a draw for discounts and prizes, including a Simcoe Bike valued at $850 from Curbside Cycle. The program will run until the end of the September. Passports are available at Curbside Cycle, Sweet Pete’s B-Side (Annex), and bloorlovesbikes.ca.

The program is a “win-win for everyone”, says Albert Koehl, one of the founders of Bells on Bloor. “If businesses are happy, they will support bike lanes.”

The program is supported by all local residents’ associations, the Bloor St. Culture Corridor, Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church and Centre for Faith, Bells on Bloor, as well as councillors Mike Layton (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina) and Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina). Cycle Toronto is a not-for-profit advocacy group that promotes cycling, cycling infrastructure and policies.

—Annemarie Brissenden with files from Nathalie Rodriguez/Gleaner News