Fog, not smog, greets Ride to Work Day

THE misty, low-cloud ceiling was in direct contrast to the high enthusiasm of the 100 cyclists who took part yesterday in Ballarat's celebration of the National Ride to Work Day.Participants ranged in age from seven to 70.Some were weekend warriors while others don the lycra daily.Brian Pitman was making the 6km journey from Wendouree to Ballarat East.He enthusiastically backed the ride-to-work promotion."It is a great idea," he said."It keeps you fit and it is good for the planet."I would like to see more people riding regularly."Melanie Woolcock was another to share these views.About once a week she pedals 12km from her home in Canadian to the Mars plant in Alfredton."It is a good way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions," she said. "Today is a good non-intimidating way of starting out."Ms Woolcock also praised BREAZE (Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions) for its work in raising concerns about climate change.Yesterday's event, which included a free hot breakfast in the Phoenix Mall and the launch of the council's newly adopted bicycle strategy, was organised by City of Ballarat, the University of Ballarat and the Department of Transport.City of Ballarat environmental programs manager Sophie Akers was pleased with the turn-out.It was the first time the activity had been organised on this scale in Ballarat.She said the aims of the event were to encourage people to choose a more sustainable form of transport, highlight the fact that Ballarat was a bike friendly city and to make a positive impact on the environment by "taking cars off the road".