The Australian Cycling Promotion Foundation has announced that sales of children’s bicycles have hit a new low in Australia, leading to concerns that children do not have the opportunity to ride bikes and get enough physical activity to ensure long-term health and well-being.

The ACT Government provides cycling education in 68 schools, with plans to expand this program. Pedal Power ACT commends their effort and recommends that cycling education programs be promoted and available to all schools so every ACT primary school student can have the opportunity to experience the benefits of riding a bike.

Pedal Power ACT Executive Officer John Armstrong says that many ACT schools are missing out on investment in active travel infrastructure and programs.

“Riding a bike is the best way for children to get incidental exercise while enjoying the freedom of transport under their own steam.” More.

From books to bicycles with New Horizons

PhD student, Almah Tararia used to paddle a canoe to school.

In her village of Musara in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, only the boys had access to things like bikes.

It wasn’t until age 46 and studying at the Australian National University in Canberra that Almah decided to challenge herself and get on a bike for the first time. More.

All she wants to do is ride around Canberra

Are you a woman who rides a bike in Canberra? Or would you like to? There’s a whole week planned just for you in September!

The Active Travel Office has assembled a fun program of events to remind all of us – but particularly women – about the joy of riding.

Events start on Sunday 3 September with a leisurely social spin around West Basin. More.

Ride Fitz’s Challenge for kids with cancer

Every October, cyclists from all over Australia and even further afield, descend on Canberra to take on The Brindabella Ranges with its red stringybark and scribbly gums in Fitz’s Challenge.

Many consider this long distance cyclo-sportive event to be the toughest in the country, due in no small part to the significant amounts of climbing.

Fitz’s Challenge is an event that tests endurance and pushes riders to do their best. It’s also an opportunity to do something for others. Three women tell us how helping kids with cancer was all they needed to keep going. More.

Ian Wallis, intrepid cyclist and adventurer, will tell us about his amazing and very different trip.

“I will discuss our ride from Kunming in southern China to Singapore,” said Ian.

“We went the long way, riding the length of Laos – following the Mekong, before heading west across Thailand and down the Malay Penins.  All up is was about 6000km and a good 1000km further than heading due south from Vientianne to Bangkok.” More.

Is your dad a cycling dad? Instead of socks this year, give him something he’ll really love for Father’s Day – a Pedal Power ACT membership gift pack.

Unless it’s a pair of really fancy hi-tech cycling socks, because he’d probably love a pair of those. AND the membership. More.

Director of Capital Works at Transport Canberra and City Services Ben McHugh will speak at the next WVCC meeting.

He will address plans to improve active travel in Woden, including cycle networks and the capital works program. More.

When new ACT Bike Superstore owners Darren and Renai Symons discovered their family home in Belconnen was a Mr Fluffy residence, they found themselves with an opportunity to change their whole lifestyle.

They moved with their three children to a new home in Murrumbateman, and then decided to buy a bike shop for a real lifestyle change.

In his former life, Darren was the general manager of the service department at a car dealership in Woden. “I’m a mechanic by trade, so I’m happy to use my mechanical skills on bikes rather than cars these days,” he said. More.

Brush up on your bike mechanic skills

Our bike maintenance courses for September and October are open for registration now – plan ahead to save yourself time and money.

We’re trialling something different with our September courses – Bike Basics will now run in the morning, and Intermediate 2 in the afternoon. By popular request.  Book now!

Exercising freedom for ACT school kids: as easy as riding a bike

Five cycling-related rules all road users should understand

Riding a bike is not a sport

A new generation of bike lane separators is starting to arrive

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