Pedal in for a free brekky

Cyclists can score a free breakfast on the Cairns Esplanade by participating in National Ride2Work Day next week.

Cairns Regional Council will provide some healthy sustenance to cyclists, who can also check out bicycle-related stalls and even get their bike a “health check”.

Cycling enthusiast and Division 5 Councillor Richie Bates is looking forward to a strong showing of pedal power.

“Cycling is healthy, active and is an enjoyable way to get around town – especially when you’re using the purpose-built bike paths along the Esplanade.

“Why should it be relegated to being just a weekend activity? I’ll be hopping on my bike to head to work and I invite anyone with a bike to join me.”

Council will serve up a healthy breakfast, including fresh fruit supplied by Jonsson’s Farm Market, yoghurt and milk from Mungalli Creek Dairy and cereal.

Cr Bates said Council was learning from the past to encourage more people to take up cycling on a regular basis.

“Council is currently working on an Active Cairns program that is looking at the reasons people cycled in Cairns in the 1960s and 1970s and whether we can make it more appealing as a mode of transport today,” Cr Bates said.

“Forty years ago, many people regularly cycled to work or school – it was as normal as getting into a car.

“School ‘bike-buses’ are helping to create a resurgence in cycling to school and the recent world record success by Trinity Beach State School provides plenty of inspiration.”

Cyclists are invited to join Council for a free breakfast at the Kingfisher barbecue area (Cairns Esplanade, between Minnie and Florence Streets) on Wednesday, October 17, from 6am-9am.