TODAY marks National Ride to Work Day and local residents are urged to strap on
their helmets, pull out their push bikes and leave their car at home.
This
year Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Les McPhee and Swan Hill District Health
Service Chief Executive Officer Ted Rayment have raised the stakes.
They
have both pledged to ride one kilometre for every community member that has
registered to ride to work today.
Cr McPhee said he wasn’t daunted by his
promise.
“This is a terrific idea to get people active to not only improve
their health, but to improve the health of our environment as well,” Cr McPhee
said.
“It’s also a great opportunity for locals to consider what can be done
to make the region more cycle friendly.
“Not to mention, I think a lot of
people have actually forgotten how much fun it can be to ride a bike.”
The
Ride2Work Program, designed to help people move from contemplation into action,
aims to get Australians into the habit of riding to work to not only improve
their health and fitness but also lower carbon emissions.
Those
participating in the event, which will be celebrated nationwide, will also go
into the draw to win various prizes.
