29 Jan 20 | By pp-admin | Events, Pedal Power

MEDIA RELEASE

29 January 2020

Big Canberra Bike Ride Cancellation Another Consequence of the Bushfire Crisis

Pedal Power ACT announced today that a decision has been made to cancel the Big Canberra Bike Ride due to take place on 1 March 2020.

The Big Canberra Bike Ride is our cities annual celebration of cycling and is the biggest participation ride in Canberra.

Pedal Power ACT CEO, Mr Ian Ross, said the decision to cancel was not taken lightly.

“Unprecedented bushfires, ongoing smoke haze, toxic air quality, and now the threat from new fires burning in Namadgi National Park have made a riding event untenable.

“There is consistent advice that the health risks from ongoing fires are unlikely to abate anytime soon.

“The bushfire crisis and recent severe weather events in the ACT are the direct result of the human caused climate change. 

“It is tragic that an event designed to encourage more people to ride and therefore reduce emissions that cause climate change, has had to be cancelled.

“The horror story of climate change that is unfolding this summer serves to remind us that we need to take urgent action to start to reverse our levels of emissions.

“Transport is now the single largest contributor to damaging climate emissions in the ACT.

“The ACT Government has demonstrated leadership in developing a Climate Change Strategy that they will use as a guide to help our community to transition to a low carbon city by prioritising active travel.

“Pedal Power will continue to work with the ACT Government to improve cycling infrastructure and to provide incentives for Canberrans to increase their use of active travel.

“If ever there was a time to prioritise cycling infrastructure and reform our travel habits it is now,” Mr Ross said.

Pedal Power will be contacting people who have already registered to take part in the Big Canberra Bike Ride to organise a refund of their fees.