It is now official; Bike Bendigo Inc. was launched on Friday 17th October in the Hargreaves Mall Bendigo, by Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters. Supporting efforts to encourage more people to ride bikes, Lisa offered her full support to assist this new not-for-profit organisation to implement it’s aspirations. Such actions will not only go towards improving the community’s health and wellbeing, it will also help to reduce the number of motor vehicles in urban areas.
As a part of the formal launch, Bike Bendigo Inc. President Geoff O’Sullivan outlined the reasons behind the new group’s formation and highlighted two of its prime objectives. One being to have Bendigo recognised as the cycling friendly city in Victoria, if not Australia. The other objective being to have more people riding bikes, both as commutors and also for recreation.
At the launch there was a mini bike expo, with the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail providing a rail trail and cycling information stand.
Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail’s info stand at the Bike Bendigo Inc launch
The O’Keefe Rail Trail is one such regional community asset that is being upgraded and extended to assist achieve Bike Bendigo’s goals. For existing and new riders, especially those who may not have full confidence to ride and ‘duel’ with motor vehicles on the roads, such off-road trails are a perfect choice.
