Cycling group provides social outlet

A NEW initiative has emerged to give people a fun, casual outing while keeping active on Ballarat’s streets.

Social cyclists have been riding through the city’s main strip on weekends as part of a recently-established group called We Ride Ballarat.

The initiative emerged out of Critical Mass, a cycling advocacy and visibility event held in September through the Ballarat Bicycle User Group.

We Ride Ballarat co-organiser Belinda Coates said much like that event, the meet-ups are about promoting the benefits behind cycling, albeit in a social setting.

“The biggest message is that riding a bike is fun,” she said.

“It’s really important it’s visible because people don’t necessarily relate to what they don’t see and don’t connect with.

“It’s a way of encouraging more people to ride more often. Bike riding’s a way to socially connect, it’s physical, and it’s a good way to get around.”

Ms Coates said the group has about 20 core people that attend the meet-ups, with participants ranging from toddlers to those in their 70s.

Meeting on Saturdays at 10am, the cyclists pedal off from the corner of Pleasant and Sturt streets, looping around the main thoroughfare before participants separate to explore the city.

Ms Coates said she hopes to expand We Ride Ballarat as the year progresses.

“There’s a bit of a plan to try and organise bigger seasonal events,” she said.

“So, we might try to do like a big summer ride and promote a picnic, for example, with the aim of getting bigger numbers to that.”

Alice Humble travels much of the time with her two children James and Grace in a cargo bike, documenting her journeys via the @lifeonacargobike Instagram account.

She’s been involved in the We Ride Ballarat meets since early in their inception, and said it’s been a great way for her to continue promoting active transport.

“It’s for my children,” she said. “I ride to work; we ride to childcare; my husband rides to work; we’re a car-light family.

“Making Ballarat a safer place for bike riders but also for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, that’s the ultimate goal.

“The long-term is I want to make Ballarat a safer place for when my kids are riding independently. We Ride Ballarat is a great way for us to exercise but also I get to chat to people about a common interest.”