The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Friday.
Local news
Ride2Work day a national success
[youtube=http://youtu.be/6KKOXMc4LIA]
Over one hundred thousand riders across the country saddled up on Wednesday for national Ride2Work Day. Bicycle advocacy groups, BUGs and workplaces set up ‘refueling’ stations, offering free breakfasts to hungry riders.
If you haven’t yet registered your ride, head to www.ride2work.com.au. Data collected from registrations is used to plan bike infrastructure projects and every rider counts!
Fall from grace
Cycling Australia Vice President Stephen Hodge has this morning resigned from the organisation after admitting to doping during his career as a professional cyclist. Earlier this week the board dismissed the former director of Orica GreenEDGE Matthew White as a national coach after it was discovered that he, too, had taken performance enhancing drugs. The organisation has a strict ” ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any athlete found guilty of cheating through the use of performance enhancing drugs and to any other person who aids and abets that proces”.
Melbourne office workers demand a place for bikes
As Melbourne’s bike commuting community continues to rise, building managers and planners are seeing an increase in demand for improved end of trip facilities, with many office buildings planning emergency upgrades to incorporate secure bike parking and state-of-the art change rooms.
Lifting the lid on helmet laws
Following accusations that bike advocacy groups are guilty of fence sitting in the current media storm that’s blown up around Australia’s laws, Bicycle Network’s Garry Brennan has spoken in support of the law.
International news
Lance loses out
SRAM has become the latest sponsor to drop Lance Armstrong in light of evidence collated by the USADA that Armstrong cheated his way to his seven Tour de France wins. The former cycling star was earlier this week dropped by other major sponsors Nike and Trek. SRAM is retaining its support for the LiveStrong foundation after Armstrong stepped down as chairman on Wednesday.
Cavendish makes a move
UK’s Team Sky is down a key player with former world champion Mark Cavendish announcing he is breaking his three-year contract with the team to join Belgium’s Omega Pharma-Quickstep.
“The Ferrari System” exposed
Dr Michele Ferrari has already been accused of running an elaborate doping program for cyclists, including Lance Armstrong, but now it appears his doping scheme was just one arm of an elaborate 30 million euro criminal operation involving tax evasion, drug smuggling and money laundering.
Health
Exercise channels focus for ADHD kids
A new study suggests that kids suffering from ADHD perform better academically following 20 minute bursts of moderate exercise. Researchers have found that children with ADHD are less likely to get distracted in the period following exercise, although many currently lead much less active lifestyles than non-sufferers.
Video
Check out this great 1970’s bike safety clip covering the dos and don’ts of riding home from school.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9PJK4FvDfA]
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