Toowoomba launches women’s bike riding campaign

Toowoomba Regional Council has launched a campaign to get more women riding in the region.

The Women Bike Riding Campaign, supported by the Queensland Government, features two local women who share their positive experiences of riding in Toowoomba.

One of the women, busy mum and midwife Natalia Hautala, loves bike riding for the opportunity to take her loved ones out on adventures.

“I love cycling for its spontaneity. So, you can hop on your bike and you’re out in the community and you see things happening…whereas you might be a little bit more goal-directed if you’re in your car,” she said.

She also enjoys riding as her primary form of transportation. “I find it empowering, because I feel like I’m helping out my family a little bit by keeping costs down, helping out my community a little bit by taking the car off the road.”

The second woman in the campaign, retiree Elaine Brennan, has enjoyed the community she has found through a local bike riding group.

“I think it’s the friendships actually; it’s that part of cycling that I enjoy the most. It’s the coffee at the end of the ride,” she said.

While working as a school principal, she also enjoyed riding as a healthy way to clear her head after a busy day: “I always felt there was never a ride long enough.”

The campaign seeks to highlight the many physical and mental health benefits to women of bike riding.

Toowoomba Regional Council’s Transport and Drainage Planning portfolio spokesperson, Cr Trevor Manteufel, said: “Bike riding has many interpersonal and social benefits which are often overlooked. It has extraordinary benefits for people’s mental health.

“I’m excited for this campaign to also showcase some of the amazing bike paths, cycleways and trails across our region. We live in such a picturesque part of Queensland and this campaign is a great way for people to discover it.

“I urge women in the region to take a chance and try one of our region’s many bike paths, cycleways and trails. You really have nothing to lose – embrace wherever your bike takes you.”

To explore the campaign, visit https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/sport-recreation/walks-trails/16552-women-bike-riding.

To view detailed maps of popular routes for leisure rides, visit https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/sport-recreation/walks-trails/226-where-to-cycle.

Source
The Bicycle Network