London’s Play Away Indoor Park is the recipient of a $20,000 grant which will be used to provide electric bikes (e-bikes) for full-time staff members.
Desjardins GoodSpark Grants are awarded to 150 small businesses each year that tackle local causes like sustainability, employment, innovation, and community impact
Located in the London International Airport area, Play Away is an indoor playground that offers daily play, parties, and day camps for children in the community.
“Since opening in 2016, Play Away has worked with service agencies such as WILL Employment Services and Hutton House employment services to fill entry-level positions, with some of these placements transitioning into long-term employment,” explained Katie Singer, owner and operator of Play Away Indoor Park.
While the establishment provides valuable work opportunities for Londoners, many team members rely on public transit to get around town. Unfortunately, Play Away’s location is not all that accessible. Commuting options include carpooling, taking a bus that stops 15 minutes away, or paying for a cab or rideshare.
Singer says employees make more than minimum wage, but regardless, transportation to and from work puts a dent in their income.
Inspired by a presentation on the benefits of e-bikes, Singer conjured up a plan.
Play Away Indoor Park teamed up with employment service providers and the London Bicycle Cafe and submitted a grant proposal to Desjardins GoodSpark for an "employee e-bike loan program."
Singer wanted to provide “dependable, safe and affordable transportation for employees to get to work, ideally in an environmentally sustainable way.” As an earth-conscious business, Play Away was named Green Economy London’s Environmental Steward of the Year for 2022.
“E-bikes allow riders to travel further than on a traditional bicycle and arrive ready to work without needing a shower,” Singer added. “They don’t even need a driver’s license.”
Three full-time employees will benefit from the e-bike loan program, according to Singer.
One Tern Vektron Q9 e-bike and two Gazelle Medeo T9 e-bikes, as well as locks and panniers for each bike, legal loan agreements, and insurance will all be covered by the $20K.
The e-bike models Singer selected are designed to fit various body types and even fold up for easy storage.
“It was important for us to get quality over quantity. Safety and reliability are important,” she added.
The 150 small businesses that won Desjardins GoodSpark Grants were announced Monday.