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 Olivia Chow’s first day as mayor of Toronto kicked off with literal bells and whistles as dozens of cyclists accompanied her on a ride to City Hall Wednesday morning.A feeling of bubbling optimism marked the crowd of her supporters, who rode flower-adorned bikes, blew bubbles and blasted upbeat tunes in a peloton that stretched from Bay and Charles Streets to Chow’s new office.“I feel hopeful in a way I haven’t in a long time,” said Robin Richardson, smiling among the colourful and cheery crew. The 20-minute ride, organized by advocacy group CycleToronto, marked a turning point for Toronto’s cycling community, a vocal group that has for years felt that the city’s leadership does not understand what it means to navigate this city on two wheels. Chow is a year-round cyclist who does not own a car.“I feel so blessed to be able to come to work on my first day of being the mayor of this great city of ours with hundreds of cyclists,” said Chow, who arrived wearing a skirt by Canadian designer Anu Raina featuring a scene of Dundas Street West.“I was also picturing, if all of us were in a car, there’d be serious traffic problems,” Chow said.Congestion was a major issue this election campaign, with some of Chow’s rivals blaming cycling infrastructure for Toronto’s gridlock, against evidence that the bike lanes have had little impact on car travel time.While Wednesday’s ride was in many ways a celebration, it was also a reminder of the pressure that Chow will feel as mayor to prioritize active transportation.“Cycling infrastructure in Toronto needs a lot of work,” said Derek Lind, who joined the ride with his son Cameron, 11. “I would love to see a day when Cameron and his brother could comfortably and safely ride to school and ride to where they need to go.”“I like riding bikes a lot,” added Cameron.Lind is feeling more optimistic than he has in a very long time, but Chow is “just one person,” and many councillors are hostile to cyclists, he said.City councillors Paula Fletcher (Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth), Diane Saxe (Ward 11, University-Rosedale), and 2022 mayoral contender Gil Penalosa joined Chow on the morning ride.“I’ve ridden many times with you Olivia, but today, on the first official day of you being sworn in as mayor is the most exciting ride I’ve had ever with you,” Fletcher said.Saxe joked that she’d now have someone to share the bike rack with at City Hall.Lex Harvey is a Toronto-based transportation reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @lexharvs 

Olivia Chow’s first day as mayor of Toronto kicked off with literal bells and whistles as dozens of cyclists accompanied her on a ride to City Hall Wednesday morning.

A feeling of bubbling optimism marked the crowd of her supporters, who rode flower-adorned bikes, blew bubbles and blasted upbeat tunes in a peloton that stretched from Bay and Charles Streets to Chow’s new office.

“I feel hopeful in a way I haven’t in a long time,” said Robin Richardson, smiling among the colourful and cheery crew.

The 20-minute ride, organized by advocacy group CycleToronto, marked a turning point for Toronto’s cycling community, a vocal group that has for years felt that the city’s leadership does not understand what it means to navigate this city on two wheels.

Chow is a year-round cyclist who does not own a car.

“I feel so blessed to be able to come to work on my first day of being the mayor of this great city of ours with hundreds of cyclists,” said Chow, who arrived wearing a skirt by Canadian designer Anu Raina featuring a scene of Dundas Street West.

“I was also picturing, if all of us were in a car, there’d be serious traffic problems,” Chow said.

Congestion was a major issue this election campaign, with some of Chow’s rivals blaming cycling infrastructure for Toronto’s gridlock, against evidence that the bike lanes have had little impact on car travel time.

While Wednesday’s ride was in many ways a celebration, it was also a reminder of the pressure that Chow will feel as mayor to prioritize active transportation.

“Cycling infrastructure in Toronto needs a lot of work,” said Derek Lind, who joined the ride with his son Cameron, 11. “I would love to see a day when Cameron and his brother could comfortably and safely ride to school and ride to where they need to go.”

“I like riding bikes a lot,” added Cameron.

Lind is feeling more optimistic than he has in a very long time, but Chow is “just one person,” and many councillors are hostile to cyclists, he said.

City councillors Paula Fletcher (Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth), Diane Saxe (Ward 11, University-Rosedale), and 2022 mayoral contender Gil Penalosa joined Chow on the morning ride.

“I’ve ridden many times with you Olivia, but today, on the first official day of you being sworn in as mayor is the most exciting ride I’ve had ever with you,” Fletcher said.

Saxe joked that she’d now have someone to share the bike rack with at City Hall.

Lex Harvey is a Toronto-based transportation reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @lexharvs