The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Wednesday.
Local news
Canberra gets active
The ACT Government has launched a new website, Find Fitness Outdoors, as part of its Healthy Weight Initiative. The website helps Canberra locals get active by connecting them with parks, paths and fitness stations around the city. According to Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury, the website is a key tool to get Canberra moving: “There are so many free exercise opportunities in Canberra’s beautiful outdoors for people of all ages and abilities and locating an outdoor fitness facility near you is now easier than ever with the new Find Fitness Outdoors website.”
Dutch on board for Vote Bike 2015
Dutch Consul-General Willem Cosijn has thrown his support behind Vote Bike 2015 in the lead up to the NSW State Election this Saturday. Bicycle Network’s NSW manager met this week with Dutch Consul-General Willem Cosijn in Sydney to discuss the growth of bike riding across the state. The Consul-General spoke of his support for the Vote Bike campaign and how investing in bike riding can make a fantastic city like Sydney even better. “The Vote Bike campaign is a very important campaign because it leads to happier people, healthier people and very nice, liveable cities,” he said.
Top ten Australian climbs you won’t find on Strava
If you’re keen to claim a prestigious KOM or QOM title but struggle to make the leader board on Strava’s popular climbs, The Climbing Cyclist has ten little known climbs with challenging gradients where you can reign supreme.
International news
Romans call for car-free streets
Following petitions and protests by local retailers and residents, Rome is closing it’s Via Urbana to motorised traffic. The street was originally closed temporarily while workers replaced pipes beneath the road; however, local retailers advocated for a permanent closure after sales rose by 30%. Many hope the traffic restrictions in Via Urbana will inspire similar changes on other popular tourist streets in the city.
UCI considers extreme weather plan
Representatives from cycling’s peak body are in discussions to implement an extreme weather plan for UCI sanctioned races. The group is considering how weather conditions, including rain, snow, wind, temperature, humidity and visibility, affect rider health and safety and is expected to release new guidelines stating when races may be modified due to such conditions ahead of the Giro Giro d’Italia on 9 May.
How green is your machine?
It’s no secret that bikes are an environmentally friendly form of transport, but some are ‘greener’ than others. Grist takes a look at the environmental impact of different frame materials and manufacture.
Health
Ten tips to keep you pedalling through the cooler months
As the temperature drops and winter approaches, it can be tempting to stay in bed rather than get out on the bike. Here’s these ten tips to keep you inspired to ride.
Video
Polish cyclist Krystian Herba has broken his own Guinness World Record for most steps climbed on a bike. In a time of two hours and 13 minutes, Herba bunny hopped up the Taipei 101 tower’s 3,139 steps, besting his previous record of 2,919 steps. Take a look.
Upcoming events
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29 March | Rotary Ride The Range | Toowoomba Range, QLD |
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3–6 April | Bike SA Burra Easter Cycle | Burra, SA |
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