The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Wednesday.
Local news
Peaks Challenge Gold Coast – are you up for it?
A new, tough-as-nails cycling event in the pristine, sub-tropical rainforests of the Gold Coast Hinterlands is to be held on 8 August this year, Bicycle Network announced yesterday. In a joint partnership with Bicycle Queensland, Peaks Challenge Gold Coast 2015 is the newest event in the recently expanded Peaks Challenge series. Find out more on the event website.
Former Bicycle Network CEO honoured
Bicycle Network would like to extend its warmest congratulations to former CEO Harry Barber on receiving Australia Day honours. A long-term cycling advocate, Mr Barber has been acknowledged for his service to the community with an OAM. Many of Melbourne’s inner-city bike lanes may not have been placed were it not for Mr Barber and his persistence and commitment to making Melbourne a bike-friendly city.
Bikes roll in state election
The Australian Cyclists Party has announced that it will run in the NSW state election. Party president and founder, Omar Khalifa, believes that ensuring a strong voice for cycling in parliament is important for the future development of our nation. “Cycling can be a solution to some of our most important problems, and it’s a simple and fairly inexpensive solution compared with anything else we can come up with,” he said. “We need to … transition to cycling becoming an ordinary aspect of everyday life.”
International news
VELOciraptor at large
Norwegian artist, Marcus Moestue, has been turning heads as he tours the country on a truly old school bike, which is purpose built around the hand carved, styrofoam body of a dinosaur.
Garmin has your back
Using radar technology acquired from the now-defunct start up iKubu, Garmin have developed a new gadget—the Backtracker—that alerts riders to approaching vehicles that may be in their blind spot. The Backtracker is the latest in a growing range of devices which employ location technologies to make roads more user-friendly.
Green light for London cycle superhighways
Following one of the biggest consultations in Transport for London’s history, London Mayor Borris Johnson has approved two major separated cycleways running north-south and east-west across the city centre. Mr Johnson said the ‘crossrail for bikes’ is an important infrastructure development that will benefit all road users: “Getting more people on their bikes will reduce pressure on the road, bus and rail networks, cut pollution, and improve life for everyone, whether or not they cycle themselves.”
Health
Step it up
With two-thirds of Australians physically inactive, health scientists are saying a little exercise is better than none. Going from no physical activity to a minimum two-and-a-half hours moderate exercise a week may prove too daunting for some. Instead, researchers are encouraging people to look for ways to break up long periods of sitting and incorporate exercise into their daily routine, then gradually build up to more intensive activities.
Video
A peek at the Peaks
Here’s a sneak preview of the breathtaking scenery and epic climbs in store for Peaks Challenge Gold Coast. Are you up for it?
Upcoming events
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31 January | Ride the Night | Melbourne, VIC |
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31 January – 1 February | Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race | Geelong, VIC |
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