Whole bunch of great reasons to get cycling
IT’S Bike Week! If you aren’t in the routine of riding to work now is a perfect time to start.
April to September is glorious in Townsville for taking to the road on your treadly. Save time, money, get some exercise and help the environment.
This year’s Bike Week coincides with UN Global Road Safety Week. By riding a bike instead of driving you help improve road safety.
Injuries are directly related to speed and weight of vehicles so by riding a bike you take one car off the road and that benefits everyone.
The benefits of cycling go well beyond road safety.
The Townsville Hospital acknowledges the Public Health benefit of getting more people cycling by donating red operating theatre caps for participants to wear over their helmets on the ride on The Ride For Road Safety ( formerly The Sue Bell Memorial) on August 27.
Townsville City Council has awarded the group a grant to host the ride and Transport Main Roads, Maurice Black- burn Lawyers and AECOM are lending their support.
Bunch rides are also a great way to enjoy cycling and are often how people are introduced to my vehicle of choice – the bike.
The days are shorter so for me it is getting a bit harder to wake up but you’ll see plenty of others out in the wee hours.
Many are in training for Townsville to Cairns and the Banish the Black dog ride but others love cycling and the friends they meet in the bunches so much that it’s almost like a drug that makes the day that much happier.
If you are keen to join in then there really are plenty of options to choose from.
Details of bunches who welcome newcomers and outline of their rides with speed and distances travelled are available at the Bicycle User Group website www. townsvillebug. com. All rides are free.
It’s a great way to meet new friends and get you going in the morning. REBECCA RYAN,
North Ward.