12 • BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2022
They came. They saw. They biked Toronto's scenic
Don Valley Parkway (DVP) — traffic-free — on a
beautiful spring day. In the process, they helped
raise more than $3 million to support Baycrest's
work to defeat dementia.
The "they" in question are the 5,000 cyclists who
participated in the inaugural Mattamy Homes Bike for
Brain Health on June 5, 2022.
DEFEATING DEMENTIA,
ONE PEDAL AT A TIME
Three Cyclists Share Why They Biked for Brain Health
BrainMatters interviewed three fundraiser-participants,
Ed Harper, 91 (possibly the oldest cyclist in the
event); Lanrick Jr. Bennett, the first "Bicycle Mayor"
of Toronto; and Natasha McDiarmid, a brand designer
with a passion for cycling. We asked them why they
took part in the event and how they felt knowing
they had an impact on helping to advance care,
education, innovation and research into brain health
and aging for all older adults in the community.
From left to right: Ed Harper; Lanrick Jr. Bennett and his son Jackson; Natasha McDiarmid.
