Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is encouraging women to explore the region with the launch of its Women Bike Riding Campaign. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Council Transport and Drainage Planning portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Trevor Manteufel said the new campaign shines a spotlight on the many benefits women experience from bike riding.<\/p>\n
\u201cBike riding has many interpersonal and social benefits which are often overlooked. It has extraordinary benefits for people\u2019s mental health,\u201d Cr Manteufel said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Women Bike Riding Campaign features two local women who share their experiences of riding within the Region and what they love most about being on two wheels.<\/p>\n
One of the women featuring in the campaign, Natalia Hautala, loves bike riding for the opportunity to take her family and friends on thrilling adventures.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love cycling for its spontaneity. So, you can hop on your bike and you\u2019re out in the community and you see things happening\u2026 whereas you might be a little bit more goal directed if you\u2019re in your car,\u201d Mrs Hautala said.<\/p>\n
She has been using the Toowoomba City bike paths and cycleways for several years and enjoys many aspects of using her bike as her primary mode of transportation.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026I find it empowering, because I feel like I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second woman to feature in TRC\u2019s Women Bike Riding Campaign, Elaine Brennan, is a member of a local bike riding group who enjoys making new connections whilst out on her bike.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s the friendships actually; it\u2019s that part of cycling that I enjoy the most. It\u2019s the coffee at the end of the ride\u2026,\u2019 Mrs Brennan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a retired teaching principal, Mrs Brennan says she also enjoyed bike riding as a healthy way to clear her head after coming home from a busy day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI urge women in the Region to take a chance and try one of our Region\u2019s many bike paths, cycleways and trails. You really have nothing to lose \u2013 embrace wherever your bike takes you,\u201d Cr Manteufel said.<\/p>\n
The Women Bike Riding Campaign is being supported by the Queensland Government.<\/p>\n
To hear more from Mrs Brennan and Mrs Hautala about where their bike takes them, and how women can start their own bike riding journey, visit:\u00a0Women bike riding<\/a>.<\/p>\n