----- Original Message -----
From: <[email hidden]>
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:41 PM
Subject: MACKAY CELEBRATES BIKE WEEK - Qld. Media statement
Transport & Main Roads, Paul Lucas
12/05/05
MACKAY CELEBRATES BIKE WEEK
Mackay residents are being encouraged to enjoy the benefits of riding a
bicycle during Bike Week celebrations from Monday 16 May to Tuesday 24
May.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the Ride to Work and School Day
breakfast on Wednesday, 18 May in particular would be a great way for
the
city to get involved in Bike Week.
All cyclists are invited to a free breakfast of pancakes from 6am in Old
Town Hall Park in Sydney Street, on Ride to Work and School Day.
"It's also a great opportunity for workers to get some exercise and try
travelling a different way to their jobs," Mr Lucas said.
"Cycling benefits your health, your finances, the environment and the
community, but most of all, it's fun. Riding to work just a few days a
week
means commuting time is not lost time and you get fit on your way to
work."
Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said employers could also benefit by
encouraging their employees to ride to work.
"Employees who are fit and healthy are more satisfied with their job and
work better," he said.
"Providing simple end-of-trip facilities is the main way employers can
encourage workers to cycle. These can include a safe, well-lit, secure
place
to store bicycles, showers and change rooms and lockers to store towels,
work clothes and riding clothes."
Queensland Transport is the major sponsor of Bike Week. Activities
during
the week include:
* Ride to School Challenge (16-20 May) for St Mary's and West Mackay
primary schools;
* Ride to Work and School Breakfast (18 May);
* Heritage Bike Ride in the CBD (21 May): leave Rock n' Road Cycles, 164
Victoria Street, at 3pm for an historical ride through the city;
* Roller Cycle/Derby and Bicycle Criterion (22 May): hosted by Mackay
Cycling Club at Victoria Street Markets from 9am. Bring your bike and
race
the clock or your mates. The Bicycle Criterion starts at 10am.
* Great Mackay Bike Ride (22 May): begins at 11am with the start/finish
at
the PCYC grounds on Norris Road, North Mackay. Two routes to choose
from,
the first starting at 11am and the second at noon. A free barbecue gets
under way at 1pm.
* Bike Maintenance Course (23 May): A course on looking after your bike,
with a talk about cycling safety starts at 6.30pm at Rock n' Road
Cycles,
164 Victoria Street.
* Moonlight Ride (24 May): Be at Rock n' Road Cycles at 6.45pm for a 7pm
start to a moonlight ride on sealed and unsealed roads. Bring your
friends -
and your lights.
You can get more information on any of these from the Mackay
Conservation
Group on 4953 0808 or by emailing Bicycle Mackay at [email hidden].
Paul Lucas' office: Kirstie Maier 3237 1145.
Tim Mulherin's office: 4957 8422.
--
Peter McCallum
26 Hinton St Mackay Qld 4740
Ph 07 4951 3524
--
Peter McCallum
Mackay Qld AUSTRALIA