Get on your bike

BY DEBORAH WILLIAMS
Last Sunday about 150 families gathered in Centennial Park to celebrate the start of NSW Bike Week.

The day was a joint initiative organised by Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra councils to reduce the ecological footprint.

It offered a range of activities such as bike maintenance, face painting and a photo exhibition. John Droz, of Gilbert’s Cyclery in Bronte Road, had a steady stream of customers all day. He gave advice to cyclists while inspecting, adjusting and repairing their bikes.

Meanwhile, James from Centennial Park Cycles held a workshop on how to change a flat tyre.

Children lined to have their faces painted, the most popular designs being tigers and butterflies.

And much to the delight of the crowd, a slow bike race was held to see who could ride the slowest.

Each of the three councils selected a winner for the Celebration of the Bike photo competition. Waverley Mayor Ingrid Strewe chose Theo Grobler, Randwick Mayor Bruce Notley-Smith chose Kirsten Seale and Woollahra Councillor Toni Zeltzer selected Arynya Grobler

Breakfast was available for the early birds and for lunch a barbeque was provided served with fruit juice, all for just a gold coin donation courtesy of Barbiehire, who had gone through 200 sausages by 11.30 am.

All three mayors addressed the gathering, highlighting safety, health and the environment.

Randwick Mayor Bruce Notley-Smith spoke of the health benefits of cycling: ‘With obesity on the rise cycling is great way to keep fit, have fun and enjoy a family activity’.

Woollahra Mayor Geoff Rundle said cycling was a sustainable activity that reduces traffic congestion. Mayor Strewe spoke of the need for car drivers to look out for bikers.
‘Drivers should think every time they see a biker that the bike isn’t going to take up a parking space,’ she said.

Together with Woollahra Council, Waverley has produced maps highlighting the new routes, as part of the green links initiative. These were available on the day and can be obtained from either council via their websites. The maps incorporate paths and routes to five different routes of various distances and difficulties and make it easy to navigate the eastern suburbs by bike or on foot.

Coogee resident Jim Hope said he enjoyed the event.

‘Anything that encourages bike riding is good. The kids have had a fantastic time. I cycle from Coogee to Pyrmont for work and there are only paths for 30 to 40 per cent of the way.’