Halifax Cycling Coalition Marks 11th Anniversary of 'I Light HFX' Night Ride
The Halifax Cycling Coalition is celebrating the 11th anniversary of its annual I Light HFX event, a group ride promoting safe nighttime and cold-weather cycling. Scheduled for November 7, the 10km ride draws over 200 participants annually as the coalition continues to advocate for improved cycling infrastructure.
The Halifax Cycling Coalition, led by chair David Trueman, is preparing for the 11th anniversary of its annual "I Light HFX" event, which began in 2015. The initiative promotes safe nighttime and colder-weather riding by handing out bike lights to cyclists on well-used routes throughout Halifax.
This year's ride is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, with a rain date set for Sunday, Nov. 8. Participants will gather around 6 p.m. at the Dale/King’s Bike Centre, with the ride beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. The group will follow a 10km route through the city. While the event is expected to finish around 9 p.m., organizers note that it often ends earlier. The ride regularly attracts over 200 people annually, and local businesses support the event by offering prizes for categories such as decorated bikes.
Beyond the social aspects of the ride, the coalition uses the event to advocate for better cycling infrastructure, including protected lanes. Trueman states that currently about 10 to 15 percent of the population rides in traffic, but 60 percent would ride if more safe facilities were available. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Urban Mobility indicates that cycling can help ease traffic congestion through mode shifting from cars to bicycles.
The coalition hosts year-round events to provide educational resources and community engagement for cyclists. These include tutorials, safety tips, courses, and the Coldest Night of the Year ride held each February. In one recent month-long friendly competition organized by the coalition, 28 teams logged a total of 49,000 kilometres.