Bike month ready to roll

WITH the new month to mark the cycling season, everyone is being encouraged to get on their bikes and ride as part of the national riding challenge, Biketober.

Registered riders can log their kilometres or encourage others to participate in the challenge, and will then go in the draw to win prizes like voucher deals or a $4000 holiday package.

City of Ballarat spokesperson and keen cyclist Cr Belinda Coates said the challenge is all about getting more people out and riding bikes.

“It’s about getting people on bikes more often,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced cyclist or haven’t been on a bike for a while, it’s a great way to encourage others and to track your own progress.

“This is the first time we’ve supported Biketober here at the City of Ballarat.”

More than 100 locals have registered to take part in the initiative.

For those unable to afford a bicycle, volunteers with the Y Ballarat’s nonprofit ReCranked initiative, where bikes are services to good working order and then donated to people, can help out.

Program volunteers have given away more than 2500 bikes since 2013.

ReCranked coordinator Wallace Martin said the team has a fleet of bikes on offer for those wanting to join in the challenge.

“I’d like to see more bikes coming out of our program,” he said. “We’ve got about 180 bikes waiting to be rehomed.

“We recently moved our workshop to the Wendouree West Recreation Reserve in June. If we can get some people to come in and get some bikes off us that would be a big win.”