Mississippi Mills Own Bike-Guru
Jeff Mills is known around Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, and beyond as a man who prefers to commute on his bicycle.
During a time of personal and career transition, Jeff felt inspired to process his thoughts and emotions through movement, so he reached out to a fellow community member to help him find the perfect bicycle to ride on. That was over 20 years ago and he hasn’t slowed down in looking for opportunities to create projects or initiatives that promote both community and cycling.
Jeff’s community roots are deep. His father and mentor Stan Mills was a founding member of the Almonte Community Development Cooperation (which evolved into Mills Community Support and then Carebridge). Jeff’s mother was a primary school teacher who was committed to her students and mentoring young teachers who were searching for something more than what they learned at teacher’s college.
Jeff’s career reflects a true expression of interests driven by passion. He attended the Ontario College of Art and Humber College creatively expressing himself through photography and other mediums. He has driven a school bus, cared for his young daughter, worked as a carpenter, photographer, community developer, and constructed his R2000 energy-efficient home in the 1980s. Recently, he and his wife have added a heat pump and an electric vehicle to their climate-friendly approach to living.
Jeff has had many influences and events that inspired his path as both a community builder and someone who lives sustainably.
The first event that he recalls happened when he was a young student. In 1965, there was a devastating fire in a part of Almonte that had no running water and no fire hydrants nearby. Four children died. This tragedy affected the community deeply, he was aware of classmates who, because of what part of town they lived in, had a lack of resources and were more vulnerable.
This event influenced the trajectory of Jeff’s life and he became a student of community development. From getting NBA Canada support for a new basketball court to creating community gardens and county-wide programs for Seniors, such as Vial of Life and Get a Grip, to the Mississippi Mills Together pandemic response, Jeff supports people who don’t have a voice. Inclusion is a big part of Jeff’s vocabulary.
Along the way, Jeff sought out different ways to refine his understanding of how to build community effectively. He identified the best, influential leaders in the field and found opportunities to network with them. Jeff travelled to countries to soak in cultures where they were committed to infrastructure-supporting environmentalism and equity.
Living a more climate-positive way is part of what Jeff sees as a triple-bottom-line approach to being a community member. Both personal and professional (community) activities or initiatives are based on how they influence profit, people, and the planet.
As a cyclist commuter, Jeff really noticed a difference in his ability to finish and start his day effectively. Ideas, solutions, and creativity seemed to flow naturally into his head with every rotation of his bicycle wheels.
There isn’t a particular one-size-fits-all approach when living a more climate-friendly way. Jeff believes that inspiration is all around us, all the time.
Cycle MORE is a current initiative that Jeff is involved with, a unique approach to blending cycling and cycle tourism. A more positive way for families, seniors, adventure seekers, and tourists to explore the Mississippi & Ottawa River area on a bicycle. The loop includes Parliament Hill along the Ottawa River Parkway, the TransCanada Trail to Carleton Place, and linking cycle pathways north via the Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail. The trail corridor traverses natural beauty and cultural heritage, and it features both tourist attractions and eclectic amenities.
This approach is being well received, it is climate-friendly, it has numerous health benefits and is relatable to all generations.
Does Jeff Have Advice for Those Starting Their Environmentally-Friendly Lifestyle?
Take one step at a time. Start by connecting with the natural world. Move outside. It reduces stress, provides Vitamin D and increases your physical strength and endurance.
Walk, roll, or ride.
Jeff believes there is no such thing as a bad bike ride. It takes you back to your childhood, learning how to ride a bike is often a milestone for children, a new sense of freedom. He promises that the experience will be transformative both mentally and physically.
Another initiative that Jeff is involved with is installing a memorial splash pad that remembers the fire of 1965 at Augusta Park in Almonte. An area for children to play, parents to enjoy a relaxing environment, and for those that require a place to cool down, there will also be a misting station.
The 1965 Almonte fire was galvanizing for the community. For Jeff, it serves as a rallying call. We can never forget these stories of our past and where we’ve come from while we reimagine our community; a community where all are welcomed, included, safe, fed, housed and celebrated.