01 Mar 18 | By pp-admin | Events, Pedal Power
Thanks to all the riders and volunteers who made the Big Canberra Bike Ride 2018 a great success! More than 1110 people rode in the event, with four rides on offer to cater for all levels of skills and experience.
This was the nineteenth year the Big Canberra Bike Ride has been held, Canberra’s biggest annual mass participation cycling event, which aims to celebrate our active engaged cycling community and promote safe cycling in the ACT. It was a wonderful day and great to see so many people of all ages and levels of experience out in the Canberra sunshine enjoying their ride.
We were pleased once again to support charity partner the Amy Gillett Foundation so they can continue their important advocacy work on cycle safety, in particular the metre matter laws, which have now been rolled out in a number of jurisdictions across the country, including the ACT.
The big 5km family ride was officially started by Meegan Fitzharris MLA, ACT Minster for Transport Canberra and City Services, who rode down on her bike to join the celebration. The ACT Government supported the Big Canberra Bike Ride through the grant funding provided by EventsACT. We were pleased to have broad representation from our Assembly Members, with Candice Burch MLA helping to hand out medals to riders, Mark Parton MLA joining the 68km ride, and Caroline Le Couteur MLA joining the celebrations at the event hub. Our co-patron and Ambassador for the Netherlands Erica Schouten did a great job starting the 20km ride, which she joined together with her husband Tom.
Snedden Hall and Gallop were again a major sponsor, and had a strong presence at the event hub with Managing Director Richard Faulks and his staff on hand throughout the day to answer any legal questions that came their way, as well as providing packets of popcorn for hungry riders. Garth and Lachy from Cycle City did a great job helping riders with mechanical issues prior to the rides, and we appreciate all the in-kind support they provide as our event partner. Hot and tired riders were grateful for the fruity refreshments provided by Ziggy’s, as well as the various food and drink on offer, including Hartley’s famous BBQ.
Preliminary results from our rider survey has provided positive feedback, particular about the support provided by our dedicated volunteers, without whom we would not be able to put on an event of this scale. Thanks to everyone who came along and enjoyed the festivities – we hope to see you all again next year.