Speed demons and Sunday cyclists alike are ready to take a spin on Ballarat’s freshest thoroughfare, and all for a good cause.
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To usher in the new Ballarat Link Road, 100 teams of cyclists will take on the new tarmac and cycle a combined total of 11,000km on Sunday for Bicycles For Humanity.
Collecting secondhand bicycles in Melbourne and shipping them to communities in Namibia, Kenya and Cambodia, the charity is a not-for-profit run entirely by volunteers.
Since launching in 2008, Bicycles For Humanity’s Melbourne group has sent more than 10,000 bicycles across to Namibia.
Bicycles For Humanity secretary Gary Chen said the charity hoped to provide transport to education and health care for those with few transport options in developing countries.
The bikes we send to Africa, there’s a criteria that they’re not rusty or old. Usually good solid bikes, like mountain bikes and hybrids, that if you could fix yourself they’re probably okay.
- Bicycles For Humanity's Gary Chen
“We’re focused on social change, and the recycling and re-purposing of secondhand bicycles.”
“We pack them as is, with some spare parts, and when we send them and they arrive in the destination community, they have the opportunity to learn how to fix a bike.”
The 11,000km traveled will represent the distance from Ballarat to Namibia. Those wishing to contribute to the cause can donate a secondhand bike, make a monetary donation or take part in the family friendly activities.
The teams will be putting pedal to the metal between 10am-12pm and then 1-4pm to try and complete 110km of cycling each.
See what the Ballarat Link Road looks like before it opens
Mr Chan said considering the passion from the Ballarat community, in an “ideal world” he’d like to see chapter of the charity open here.
“Bicycles For Humanity has a hub we bring our bicycles to, where we pack them into the shipping container,” he said. “If we could do that in Ballarat, that’s the kind of outcome that would be fantastic.”
“It’s great for people to see us and have an opportunity to engage with us. It’s an interesting thing, when we mention it, they kind know what we do, but they don’t know us.”
Between 12pm and 1pm, a hot lap for human-powered vehicles and energy efficient vehicles will see what maximum speeds can be achieved on the new stretch of road.
