Who we are - lambretta club of canada
Mission & Heritage
Lambretta is part of Canada’s cultural fabric — a symbol of endurance, design, and the communities that carried these machines across vast landscapes. As early as 1959, Canadian riders proved Innocenti’s promise that Lambretta was built for adventure, taking these scooters across long roads, long winters, and long horizons.
One of the most remarkable journeys began at Bentley’s Cycles & Sports, the only officially documented Lambretta dealer in Canadian history, confirmed through original Italian distribution records. From Montreal’s Little Italy to Brazil, a 20,000‑mile ride in honour of Expo 67 stands as a defining moment in our national story.
Much of this heritage has quietly disappeared — machines exported, parted out, or lost. Every surviving scooter, artifact, and story now carries greater importance.
Our mission is to preserve this legacy through restoration, documentation, exhibitions, and national events that bring Canadian Lambretta history to life. We build community through storytelling, craftsmanship, and shared pride in our heritage.
Our Values:
• Heritage over hype
• Community over ego
• Craftsmanship over shortcuts
• Transparency over drama
• Storytelling over noise
• National pride over nostalgia
Bylaws & Governance
Our governance framework ensures that the Lambretta Club of Canada operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability. Our bylaws define leadership roles, membership rights, decision‑making processes, and the ethical standards required to steward a national heritage organization.
We maintain documented leadership, clear governance structures, and a commitment to protecting Canadian cultural memory. This ensures that the Lambretta story is told from a Canadian perspective — grounded in evidence, supported by institutions, and free from external influence or imported narratives.
Our governance is what allows us to collaborate confidently with museums, embassies, cultural organizations, and national institutions. It is the foundation that supports our heritage work, our events, and our long‑term vision for a national Lambretta archive.
The 2 Paths of Lambretta
Canada’s Lambretta story is built on two interconnected paths — one historical, one living — supported by international context but defined entirely on Canadian terms. This work begins with Canada’s Italian community, whose families, businesses, and cultural traditions brought Lambretta into the fabric of CanadIan life. For decades, much of this history was fragmented or overshadowed, and in the 1980‘s a Small group attempted to gate keep the narrative, creating gaps, omissions, and erasure in the public record. Today we acknowledge the missing history and actively work to restore the full Canadian story through evidence, documentation, and community memory. The work starts with Canada’s Italian community.
1. The Historical Path: Verified Canadian Lineage
Canada’s Lambretta history is documented through original Italian distribution records, verified dealer archives, and the journeys of early Canadian riders. This includes Bentley’s Cycles & Sports, the only officially documented Lambretta dealer in Canadian history, and landmark events such as the 20,000‑mile Expo 67 ride from Montreal’s Little Italy to Brazil.
This historical path is uniquely Canadian.
It is not inherited from the UK.
It is not borrowed from Italy.
It stands on its own evidence, geography, and cultural memory.
2. The Living Path: Today’s Riders, Restorers, and Storytellers
The second path is the living culture carried forward by today’s community:
• builders and restorers
• long‑distance riders
• archivists and storytellers
• Italian‑Canadian families preserving their history
• new members discovering Lambretta for the first time
This living path is where modern Canadian identity meets Italian design.
It is active, evolving, and deeply rooted in community.
International Context
Lambretta Club Great Britain and Vittorio Tessera’s Casa Lambretta each play important roles in the global Lambretta landscape — but their histories are not Canada’s history.
• LCGB represents the British club tradition.
• Casa Lambretta represents the Italian industrial archive.
We respect these institutions, but we do not rely on them to define our identity.
Canada’s Lambretta heritage stands independently, shaped by our geography, our communities, and our documented lineage.
How These Two Paths Shape Our Speaker Series
Our speaker series is built on the idea that Canada’s Lambretta story must be understood through both paths:
• The historical path — evidence, archives, distribution records, and early Canadian journeys
• The living path — today’s community, craftsmanship, and cultural expression
Together, they allow us to present Lambretta heritage in a way that is nationally grounded, culturally authentic, and institutionally credible.
Community Projects & Initiatives
The Lambretta Club of Canada is proud to support projects that celebrate Lambretta and the Italian‑Canadian culture, both working to preserve Lambretta history, and strengthen our national community. From heritage booklets and restoration workshops to cultural events and public outreach, our initiatives bring people together and keep the Lambretta legacy alive. We collaborate with members, cultural organizations, and community partners to share stories, teach skills, and inspire the next generation of enthusiasts.
Join Us Online
Our online community is where members share photos, plan rides, post restoration updates, and stay connected across Canada. Join us on our social channels to be part of the conversation and see what our members are up to every day.
Become a Member
Become a Member, Your Way
A Community Open to Everyone
You don’t need to own a Lambretta to be part of this community — only an interest in the culture, the history, or the people who keep the story alive. Participation is entirely your choice, and every supporter strengthens the national effort to preserve Lambretta heritage in Canada.
How You Can Take Part
• Engage with our four‑prong social media strategy: like, share, and participate
• Donate or become a member
Membership Options
The Lambretta Club of Canada offers two paths:
A: Paid Membership (Lambretta Owners Only)
B: Associate Members
Paid Members:
• Must own a Lambretta
• Hold voting rights, including participation in the AGM
• Are invited to the Stakeholders & Management private members group
• Receive an official numerical‑sequence membership badge and owner‑exclusive gifts
• Access owner‑only events, contribute to our YouTube channel, and may be invited as guest speakers
• Receive Lambretta‑specific privileges at public events, including featured placement, parking, lead‑ride opportunities, workshops, and heritage activities
• Support national heritage work through prorated annual dues
Lambretta owners are invited to join and follow our page, public and private groups on Facebook, as well as Instagram and TikTok. Your photo contributions shared on our public Facebook page will be used for our website and social media campaigns.
Associate Membership (Non‑Voting)
Open to anyone who wishes to support the club’s mission.
Associates:
• Do not need to own a Lambretta
• Are non‑voting
• May attend general community events
• Support the preservation of Lambretta history through optional contributions
• Do not receive numerical membership badges, which are reserved for Lambretta owners
Associates are welcome to join our Facebook Page and Public Group, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok.
Preserving Our Shared History
Every member — owner or supporter — helps safeguard Lambretta history, including the Italian‑Canadian story woven into it. Whether you ride, restore, collect, or simply appreciate the legacy, your involvement matters. You can support the club through membership, contributions, or by choosing items from our Canadian Heritage line — each one helps sustain this work.
Membership Application Form
If you’d like to join, you can download the membership application form. Lambretta owners may also choose to record the provenance of their scooter for our national archive; this step is optional.