Smiths Falls Bike Night founder resigns amid profiling claims

The founder of Downtown Smiths Falls Bike Night says a June meeting about public safety became the breaking point that led to her resignation as chair of the Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association.

This is the second summer for Bike Night, held on Beckwith Street the first Wednesday of each month from June through September. The DBA estimates about 6,000 motorcycles attended the August event, up from a couple of thousand during earlier Bike Nights.

The dispute comes as Bike Night has grown into one of downtown Smiths Falls’ biggest draws. While its founder, police, event supporters, the DBA and the town all say they want it to continue, questions remain over how public-safety concerns were handled, Storms’ treatment and what needs to happen before Bike Night returns in 2027.

Storms says public-safety meeting became personal

Former DBA chair, Christin Storms told Hometown News on Aug. 11 that she attended a June 9 meeting expecting a discussion about Bike Night and public safety. Instead, she said, an OPP Biker Enforcement Unit presentation included a photograph of her husband and information about motorcycle clubs, while there was significant pressure around implementing a ban on motorcycle colours and patches at Bike Night.

According to Storms, those in attendance at the June 9 meeting included Smiths Falls Police Chief Jodi Empey, Deputy Chief Chris Kettyle, Staff Sgt. Dan King, Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough and CAO Malcolm Morris, along with other town, DBA and community representatives.

Storms said she opposed a blanket ban based on what someone was wearing.

“My position has always been that if someone attends the event, behaves respectfully and follows the law, they should be treated respectfully,” she said.

The Town of Smiths Falls has confirmed that restrictions on motorcycle club colours or patches were considered.

“The town did consider whether restrictions on the wearing of colours or patches were warranted,” Joanne Plontz, communications and marketing co-ordinator, said Aug. 11 in an emailed response to questions from Hometown News, on behalf of the town. “Following discussions with the appropriate parties and consideration of the circumstances, the decision was made not to pursue such a restriction at this time. As with all aspects of event planning, this can be revisited should circumstances change.”

Storms said the meeting left her feeling that what should have been a policy discussion became more than that.

“At that point, I felt it had become personal,” Storms said. “My integrity, my family and my reputation were being drawn into what should have been a policy discussion.”

Chief Empey has since clarified a comment made during the meeting about photographs taken at Bike Night.

“The reference to photographs was not directed specifically at Christin,” Empey told Hometown News. “The comment was made in the general context to everyone in the room that photographs had been taken at the event and that, given the number of people present, it was likely that many individuals in attendance would appear in those photographs.”

That clarification does not address Storms’ separate statement that a photograph of her husband was included in the OPP Biker Enforcement Unit presentation.

Hometown News sought comment from the OPP about the Biker Enforcement Unit’s role in the June 9 meeting and presentation, including whether the unit recommended restrictions on motorcycle club colours or patches. A response was not available before publication.

7 days later, Storms resigns

In a June 16 resignation letter sent to DBA members, CAO Malcolm Morris, members of council and town staff, Storms described the meeting as “adversarial and deeply upsetting” and said she had “never felt harassed in our community until this meeting.” She also wrote that photographs of her family and friends remained visible during the discussion and that she no longer felt she was viewed as a trusted partner by key municipal stakeholders.

“I made the decision to resign myself, so no one formally forced me out. But I understand why Bradshaw Cycle Works described it that way,” she said.

Storms said part of her decision was to protect the volunteer board from being drawn into a situation she felt was becoming increasingly personal.

“So while the resignation was ultimately my decision, I did not feel I was being left with a reasonable or respectful path to remain in the position, and I felt stepping away was the best way to protect both myself and the board,” she said.

Bradshaw: Safety and profiling are different issues

Bradshaw Cycle Works, which has been closely involved with Bike Night, also raised concerns about Storms’ treatment in an email interview with Hometown News.

Georges Routhier of Bradshaw Cycle Works said the concern was not that police were raising public-safety issues at an event attracting thousands of people.

“Public safety should absolutely be discussed at an event of this size,” Routhier said.

Rather, he said, Bradshaw Cycle Works objected to what it viewed as an apparent suggestion that Storms’ interactions with certain motorcycle club members meant she was inviting crime into Smiths Falls.

“A photograph of someone hugging another person does not tell you what that person’s intentions are, whether they have committed an offence, or whether their presence represents a threat to the community,” Routhier said.

Bradshaw’s concern, he said, is what it considers guilt by association.

“We are not saying police should ignore legitimate safety concerns. Quite the opposite,” Routhier said. “If there are specific individuals who pose a demonstrated risk, then those concerns should be addressed based on their conduct and evidence.”

He said Bradshaw Cycle Works supports safety planning around the event, including traffic control, emergency access and communication with police.

“But safety and profiling are two very different things,” Routhier said.

Police: Public safety is the priority

Empey told Hometown News that public safety is the police service’s priority and that Bike Night’s growth has resulted in increased police staffing.

“Public safety is always our number one priority when it comes to any event being organized in Smiths Falls,” Empey said.

“A heavier police presence in larger events is quite normal across the province,” she said. “We staff accordingly to ensure everyone is safe.”

Empey confirmed police are aware of attendance by members of what she described as known criminal organizations, including outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“Safety and security of the public is our priority, and we staff accordingly,” she said.

Despite those concerns, Empey said Bike Night itself has produced few policing problems. She said there have been only a couple of minor disturbances during previous events, with police intervening quickly and no arrests or charges made.

Officers have been deployed on foot and bicycle, interacting with residents and motorcycle enthusiasts, she said.

“We chose to take a community policing approach to this event instead of reactionary enforcement, and it has worked so far,” Empey said.

Empey said police want Bike Night to continue.

“We do hope they continue — It’s great for local businesses, especially the restaurants,” she said.

Empey said Kettyle and King oversee Bike Night operations and meet with organizers and town staff before and after events. Fire services, police and public works also work with organizers and volunteers to keep an emergency lane open along Beckwith Street.

Police increased staffing for the Canada Day Bike Night after the DBA projected attendance could reach 10,000 motorcycles, not including other visitors to town, Empey said. That was a pre-event estimate used for planning rather than a final attendance count. Staffing was reduced for the most recent event.

The additional police presence has not resulted in a bill to the DBA. 

“There has been no cost on the DBA. It has come out of our overtime and equipment budget,” Empey said.

The Smiths Falls Police Service subsequently issued a public statement denying claims that it forced the resignation of anyone from the DBA, saying it has no authority to request or demand the resignation of a member of a volunteer association.

Storms’ account is consistent on that point: she says the decision to resign was hers.

Complaint filed, apology sought

Storms said she has filed complaints with the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency regarding the conduct and circumstances surrounding the June 9 meeting.

“Those complaints address specific concerns I have about how the meeting was handled, the information that was presented, and the conduct of individuals involved,” she said.

A complaint is a request for review and does not constitute a finding of misconduct.

Storms said she does not want to publicly discuss the details while the formal process is underway.

“What I can say is that I felt strongly enough about what occurred that I believed it warranted independent review and a formal record,” she said.

She is also seeking an apology.

“For me, that includes accountability for what occurred, including a formal apology from the police and the CAO for the way I, and my family, were treated and characterized,” Storms said.

While Storms has pursued her concerns through a formal complaint process, the town’s CAO Malcolm Morris said Storms has not approached him directly about the matter.

“I have not been approached by Ms. Storms on this matter,” Morris told Hometown News on Aug. 11. “I would encourage her to reach out directly if she feels aggrieved.”

DBA wants Bike Night downtown

The DBA, meanwhile, said in an Aug. 10 Facebook statement that there has been no decision to move Bike Night out of Smiths Falls.

“In fact, that is the last thing the DBA wants,” the association said.

The DBA credited Storms with bringing the event to Smiths Falls and building it, while also acknowledging the volunteers, sponsors, businesses, riders and community partners who have contributed.

“It is difficult to envision a 2027 Bike Night without her involvement,” the DBA said.

The association said another issue must be resolved before planning for 2027.

“For more than a year, the DBA has been seeking clarity regarding cost recovery associated with street closures and municipal services,” the statement said.

Without confirmed costs and a clear understanding of responsibilities and expectations, the DBA said it cannot properly budget and plan an event of Bike Night’s size.

“If that framework cannot be established, then other options may have to be considered,” the association said.

Municipal costs remain under discussion

The town said Community Services, Economic Development, Public Works, Fire Services and the Smiths Falls Police Service are involved in supporting Bike Night within their respective areas of responsibility.

“Any services required above and beyond normal municipal operations are typically discussed with event organizers,” the town said. “As Bike Night continues to evolve and grow, those discussions remain ongoing.”

The town said requirements for Bike Night are consistent with those applied to other events using municipal streets and spaces.

“The requirements for Bike Night are consistent with those applied to other events using municipal streets and spaces, including emergency access, traffic management and public safety,” the town said. “These requirements are scaled to the size and nature of the event.”

The town also credits the DBA with the event’s success and plans to assess its economic impact after the season.

“The Downtown Business Association has done a fantastic job bringing the event to life, creating an evening that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and showcases the energy and vibrancy of our downtown,” the town said.

Economic Development Manager Ingrid Bron said an economic impact analysis will be done soon.

“The Economic Development department will be completing an economic impact analysis at the end of the season, and we expect the results will highlight the positive impact Bike Night has on both downtown foot traffic and local business revenues,” Bron said.

Looking ahead to 2027

Despite resigning from the DBA, Storms remains involved with Bike Night.

“I’m still out there selling Bike Night shirts, manning barricades, helping with setup and cleanup, and doing whatever needs to be done on event nights,” she said.

As for 2027, Storms said she wants the event to stay in Smiths Falls.

“My preference has always been for Bike Night to remain in Smiths Falls,” she said. “This is where it was built, our downtown businesses have benefited from it, and the community has really embraced it.”

The town says it wants Bike Night to remain as well.

“The town is pleased to support the DBA’s Bike Night event and its ongoing success in Smiths Falls,” the town said. “We’d like to thank the DBA, its volunteers, and everyone involved in organizing the event. Their hard work and commitment have helped make Bike Night what it is today, and we look forward to seeing it continue to be a part of our community for years to come.”

The final Bike Night of the 2026 season is scheduled for Sept. 2.

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