Cycling Club plans top-level race track in Murray Bridge
The Murraylands club's chairman has met with federal MP Tony Pasin and a representative of Auscycling SA to get the wheels rolling.
This post was contributed by Phil McGee.
The Murraylands Cycling Club has met with federal MP Tony Pasin to seek his support for its future plans.
Mr Pasin showed a genuine interest in the club’s proposal to build a properly designed, traffic-free cycling centre which could cater to competitive cyclists and the general public.
Chairman Jason Woodard said the local club would use the facility for about 15 per cent of daylight hours for racing, training and coaching.
For the remaining 85% of the time, it would be available to members of the public, leisure cyclists, those on rehabilitation programs, other groups and so on.
“The safety of a facility free from other road users, we believe, will encourage more people to engage in our beautiful pastime of cycling in probably one of the best climates for cycling in Australia,” he said.
“We fully realise we have a strenuous and complicated journey ahead, but we have the desire and determination to see it through, as we fully understand the benefits it will bring.
“We are attempting this in an extremely positive community that is achieving magnificent results in community projects, which of course is led by all the team of the Rural City of Murray Bridge.
“I’m sure it will happen.”
Auscycling South Australia CEO Jake Thomas indicated that the club would also have total support from the peak body of registered clubs within Australia.
The proposed facility recognised the dangers for cyclists on public roads, he said; similar facilities were established or being established in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales and Wangaratta, Victoria.
Mr Thomas indicated major competitive events could be directed to Murray Bridge should the plans eventuate.
He also offered Auscycling’s assistance with design work and recommendations.
The Murraylands Cycling Club was incorporated, then registered with Auscycling Australia, 12 months ago, with assistance from the Murray Bridge council.
There had not been a registered cycling club in Murray Bridge for about 60 years.
A major open event was held from Adelaide to Murray Bridge to mark the previous Murray Bridge cycling club’s registration in 1949, but it ceased to exist in the early 1960s.
Informal cycling groups had formed around the district in recent years.
You can help keep local stories like this one free for everyone to read. Subscribe to Murray Bridge News today and support your independent, locally owned news service, plus get access to exclusive stories you won’t find anywhere else, from just $5 a month.
