News Archive

The City of Nedlands and The University of Western Australia teamed up to host a breakfast to celebrate cycling as part of Cycle Instead Bikeweek .

The event was a huge success with more than 450 cyclists and advocates enjoying a sumptuous cooked breakfast at the University Club .

WestCycle launched Our Bike Path , a strategic framework for cycling in Western Australia, as part of the event.  Guest speakers at the launch were the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Terry Waldron and Director General of the Department of Transport Reece Waldock.

Dismantle 's Bike Doctors were on hand to provide ‘health checks' on bikes and attend to minor faults and flat tyres.

City of Nedlands Mayor Max Hipkins said the event encouraged and celebrated cycling not just as a sport but as a great way to get around.

"Cycling is a fantastic way to incorporate exercise into your day while helping the environment and alleviating congestion in the city," he said.

"Riding a bike is often the fastest and most convenient way of travelling and it is suitable for people of all ages, skill level and abilities."

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said cycling was increasing as a mode of transport to the University.

"Last year 1,700 trips per day were made to and from the campus on bikes," he said.

"If you put those people in a car, they'd fill both lanes from the University to the Narrows Bridge and they'd emit three tonnes of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere every day. Cyclists make happier, healthier communities."

Nedlands resident and UWA researcher, Assistant Professor Ingrid Ward and her two children (pictured) rode to the event on a three-seater bike, with husband Piers Larcombe riding alongside.

"We cycle everywhere as a family and have done since Alex and Jess were babies," Dr Ward said.

"We find cycling very time-efficient as we can always ‘park' in a convenient location.  In fact, the only inefficient part of riding a three-seater tandem is answering the many questions we're asked whenever we're stopped anywhere," she laughed.

Bikeweek 2014 participants are encouraged to nominate their favourite event for the inaugural Bikeley Award .  Those who nominate will enter a draw to win one of three $500 vouchers.

The UWA Nedlands Bike Breakfast, held on Wednesday 19 March was one of around 80 events held for Bikeweek 2014.

Bikeweek 2014 is a collection of events that encourages people of all ages to take up cycling as a healthy and inexpensive mode of transport.

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716