June 11, 2012 (Toronto, ON) – Media are invited to attend the “Friends of Ilija Ride and BBQ” on Saturday, June 16, 2012. The Ride begins at Richmond Green Sports Centre & Park Area in Richmond Hill, Ontario at 9:00 a.m. The Ride is being sponsored by Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

Details of the Ride are:
When: 9:00 a.m. Riders leave Richmond Green Sports Centre & Park.
Where: 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill [Enter off west side of Leslie (William F. Bell Pkwy); just north of Elgin Mills]
What: A 50 km or 100 km ride will take place followed by a BBQ and auction.

About Ilija Petrovski: Ilija has been an active member of the Ontario cycling community for more than 10 years. He is a two-time winner of the Ontario Provincial Time Trial championship (Masters) and two time Canadian championship silver medalist in the Master 40- to 49-year-old category, among many other podium finishes. As a NCCP Level 2 coach, Ilija has worked with many cyclists to share his knowledge and passion for cycling with others.

Ilija sustained a traumatic brain injury while on a training ride in January and has been in Sunnybrook Hospital since. At this time, Ilija’s short- and long-term prognosis is uncertain. Ilija was self-employed and didn’t have supplemental health insurance, so his family is faced with significant expenses related to his ongoing care for the foreseeable future.

The Friends of Ilija Ride and BBQ is a fundraising event to help Ilija and his family. 100% of all proceeds are being donated to Ilija’s family to assist with his care.

Ilija’s wife Jackie shared her thoughts about the Ride: “We are delighted that Ilija’s friends and fellow cyclists are showing their support for Ilija and our family with this Ride. Thank you to everyone who will be participating, as your support will provide Ilija with essential care during his recovery.”

About Share the Road Cycling Coalition: Share the Road is an Ontario-based non-profit organization which promotes bicycling as a mode of transportation, recreation and fitness through provincial advocacy. The SRCC was created to unite cycling organizations from across Ontario and works with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to make their communities more bicycle-friendly. The organization’s mandate is province-wide. Share the Road focuses on advocating for bicycle-friendly policies and legislation, and a greater provincial role in cycling as is the case in Quebec and B.C. Both provinces have active transportation funding for municipalities, and well defined policies which recognize cycling as both a mainstream mode of everyday travel, and a growing recreational pursuit.