‘Getting more butts on bikes’
Charleswood resident shares his passion for cycling through his volunteer work
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Dave Elmore recalls the ribbing he got as a teenager when many of his friends were buying their first cars and he bought a bike instead: a blue 10-speed CCM Turismo.
“Cycling’s always been important to me,” he says. “It’s always been something I’ve done.”
Today, the 70-year-old Charleswood resident shares his passion for cycling through his volunteer work as chairperson of Bike Week Winnipeg. The annual event features programming meant to encourage and engage cyclists. This year’s edition takes place June 8-14.

“It’s all about getting more butts on bikes,” Elmore says.
An engineer by training, Elmore was working as a project manager for the federal government when he started commuting to work by bike in the early 1990s.
He co-founded the cycling advocacy group Bike to the Future, now known as Bike Winnipeg, in 2007.
The following year, he helped start Bike to Work Day, an annual one-day event for bicycle commuters. In 2014, the event was rebranded as Bike Week. With the rebrand came an expanded mandate to engage cyclists of all kinds — whether they ride for everyday transportation, recreation or some other reason.
Rather than create change through advocacy, Elmore says, Bike Week attempts to create cultural change by engaging riders, trying to get more people involved in cycling and growing their understanding that bicycles can be a part of the city’s transportation culture.
While Bike to Work Day is still one of the week’s flagship events (it takes place June 10), this year’s Bike Week will feature numerous activities for people of all ages and abilities, including group rides, workshops, games and a wrap-up party on the Manitoba Legislative Building grounds on June 14.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada needs volunteers for its walk at the Teddy Bass Athletic Field in Kildonan Park on June 28. They will help with setup, registration and participant motivation. No experience is required. Apply at wfp.to/imM by June 16.
Creative Retirement Manitoba needs board members who are passionate about lifelong learning. The charity offers affordable educational opportunities for older adults. The working board requires members with basic computer skills to help with program planning alongside staff members, who manage presenter communications. No formal education is needed. The board meets eight times annually, on the second Friday morning of the month. Email hello@crcentre.ca by June 30.
Apathy is Boring needs people ages 18 to 30 for Winnipeg RISE. The program provides training, resources and funding to support youth in designing and leading a community project. No experience is required. Apply at wfp.to/imR by July 6.
The St. Vital Agricultural Fair is seeking volunteers for its 114th annual Fair and Display on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9. Opportunities include serving as greeters, setting up and taking down tables and chairs, and serving meals in a cafeteria style. Volunteers are also needed at the children’s craft table and in helping exhibitors place their entries, and to help with cleaning duties such as garbage removal. More information about the event is available at wfp.to/imx. Apply at PjMcFarlane@shaw.ca or to 204-487-4597, ext. 1, by July 29.
The Leftovers Foundation, a food-rescue charity with a mission of reducing food waste and increasing access to food for people facing barriers, is gearing up for Home Harvest. The program facilitates the rescue of homegrown food. Community members can participate by signing up through the website or mobile app to become a donor (grower) or volunteer to complete routes. Growers with excess produce can submit a request any time, and volunteers can harvest and deliver the produce to local service agencies and keep a portion for themselves. Volunteers can sign up in groups or individually. Email alyssa@rescuefood.ca or go to wfp.to/imz for more information. Apply by Aug. 2.
Villa Rosa needs volunteers to help manage its donation room by organizing items and keeping the space welcoming. This is a weekly position, and you must be at least 18 years old. Contact the volunteers co-ordinator at volunteers@villarosa.mb.ca or 204-786-5741 by June 13.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Movers must be 18 or older, and drivers must be 21 or older. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by June 30.
The West Central Women’s Resource Centre needs three board members, including the treasurer. For more information about the West End centre, visit wfp.to/WWa. Send your resumé to wcwrcboardinterest@gmail.com by June 30.
Parkinson Canada is recruiting support group facilitators for Brandon. The facilitator plays a critical role in the delivery of support services at the community level. They create a confidential and welcoming space, where people living with Parkinson’s or their care partners can share their experiences and develop supportive relationships in a group setting. The group meets from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. Apply at wfp.to/WWc or volunteer@parkinson.ca by June 30.
Folklorama needs pavilion volunteers for roles such as admissions, guest services, beverage services and food preparation. They also help backstage, support cultural displays, manage souvenirs and help with setup. Folklorama oversees volunteer applications, while pavilions handle selection and training. Participants gain skills in communication, problem-solving and leadership. This year’s festival runs from Aug. 3 to Aug. 16, with flexible hours for volunteers aged 13 and over. Apply at wfp.to/WMK by July 31.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Last year’s Bike Week drew more than 14,000 people to 160 events over seven days, according to a report prepared by Fête Jockey Events Inc., which helps organize and manage Bike Week. Elmore expects similar numbers this year.
Bike Week “adds to the culture and visibility of cycling across the city,” says Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg.
“(It’s) creating those opportunities to give people that experience of cycling so they can get out there and imagine it as part of their everyday life,” he says. “It’s everyday people who are looking for those cycling opportunities — not just some radical core of people. It’s everyday folks. It’s our neighbours, our aunts, our uncles and our siblings that want to get out riding.”
Cohoe praises Elmore’s efforts, describing the retiree as “tireless (and) ageless.”
“(He’s) someone who’s committed a huge amount of time to making the city better, to helping us all be a little bit more environmentally friendly and sustainable, and someone who’s always ready to take on the task, big or small,” Cohoe says. “You get a smiling face, you get a hello and a warm welcome from Dave every time.”
In addition to chairing Bike Week, Elmore is a mechanic at the WRENCH community bike shop, he teaches cycling skills to middle school students and he leads spin classes twice a week at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg.
The grandfather of two rides to these volunteer commitments on one of his eight bikes — usually either his red Surly or chrome Sekine.
“Ultimately I don’t look at any of them as work because I enjoy doing them, and I guess I’m seeing the benefits because I’m seeing more and more people on bikes,” Elmore says of his volunteer commitments.
“The things that we’re doing as different organizations, whether it’s Bike Winnipeg or Bike Week, are making a difference in our city, and that keeps me going.”
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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