Meet Cycling Nova Scotia’s Active Transportation Coordinator: Holly Foxall!

Holly joined Cycling Nova Scotia as Active Transportation Coordinator in January 2024, and will be working on active transportation research, gathering data on AT readiness, planning the annual Bike Summit, and engaging communities in cycling throughout the province. You’ll also see Holly playing a role in supporting Cycling Nova Scotia’s advocacy work at a community level throughout the province. Holly is excited to use her background in non-profit advocacy, education, and community engagement to promote Active Transportation in Nova Scotia!

We asked Holly some questions about cycling to get to know her better.

What kind of bike do you ride?

I’ve accumulated a number of bikes in recent years! The bike I’ve had the longest is a purple Butterfield and Robinson bike that belonged to my grandparents. That’s the bike I use to get around town and has been my trusted mode of transportation since university. Last summer I got a Specialized road bike and I very recently got a gravel bike, which I look forward to taking on trails all across Nova Scotia. No matter what bike I’m using, I love the feeling of riding out in nature and the freedom it brings to get myself from place to place.

What is your cycling origin story?

I grew up in Vancouver and have been cycling for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved cycling on recreational rides with family and friends, and my bike is my main mode of transportation because I don’t have a car! Since moving to Nova Scotia in 2011, I’ve loved exploring our province by bike, whether that’s commuting around Halifax, getting out to the Bike and Bean for a ride, or doing a road ride in the Annapolis Valley – I love getting to see the beauty of Nova Scotia by bike.

What have been the biggest changes to cycling in Nova Scotia that you’ve seen or you’ve been a part of over the past 2-3 years?

It’s been really great to see more investment into cycling infrastructure in Nova Scotia in recent years! There is still a lot of work to do, but there are many great organizations and individuals working to build safer and more accessible spaces for all cyclists. It has also been amazing to see lots of cycling communities and groups being created! It’s a great way to bring people together for a fun ride and/or advocate for an important cause through those communities. I’ve taken part in a number of community rides and it’s so wonderful to meet new people and connect in a casual ride setting.

What is your favourite bike ride in NS? 

I love cycling on the South Shore! Last summer I biked from Chester to LaHave and back, which was incredible. It was a tough ride, but nice to have a lunch break at LaHave bakery as the halfway point, and it was so beautiful cycling along the winding roads of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, and LaHave. I love rides that are along the water and it was very fun to take the LaHave ferry on that specific route.

What excites you about the Blue Route?

What excites me most about the Blue Route is the connections it is creating through communities across Nova Scotia! By developing safe infrastructure and consistent signage on routes, the Blue Route is making it easier for all Nova Scotians to get around by bike. This work will lead to healthier and happier communities all across Nova Scotia.

Do you have any other interesting things to share about yourself?

I love to knit! In the winter evenings you can usually find me on my couch knitting some socks or a scarf for someone I love.