President of the newly-formed Dominica Cycling Association (DCA), Attorney-at-law, Ronald Charles, has invited all cyclists to join members of the association for an Awareness Cycling Ride, which is to be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016.
In an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), Charles said that the DCA, through the event, aims to bring awareness to the sport, and offer all cyclists in Dominica the opportunity to be part of the organization.
He stated that the event is open to “anybody who can cycle,” and he stressed the importance of cyclists bringing along their protective gear.
“We are very much concerned about health and safety, and we’re asking any cyclists, or any person interested in cycling, if you want to join us on Saturday, it is important that you have a bicycle,” he advised. “Secondly, it is very important that you have the necessary headgear, which is your helmet, your gloves, and the necessary tools for riding. We do not want persons riding without the necessary safety devices.”
He described the route to be used during the event.
“We’re starting off at Pointe Michel. The route will be Pointe Michel, going through Loubiere, Botanical Gardens through Bath Estate, back down into town, and then going up to Ravine Coque, and turning to go back down on the Bay Front…,” Charles elaborated.
However, Charles pointed out that “the route for the younger people will be short-circuited, in that it will end at the Botanical Gardens, and then they will go down to the Bayfront, while the more senior riders will continue the route.”
Lights refreshments will be provided for all participants.
Meanwhile, DCA President revealed that the organization hopes to add structure to Dominican cycling, in an effort to “take cycling to the next level,” and to ensure that the sport gets what he called the “necessary attention that it deserves.”
Charles divulged that the association hopes to partner with local, regional, and international bodies with vast experience in the field, in order to achieve the best results.
The DCA, since its inception in January 2016, has been affiliated with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), a Switzerland-based body which governs sports cycling and oversees competitive cycling events globally. The organization is also endorsed by Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC).
A good initiative which will help improve health and wellness among Dominicans and hopefully start a movement to slow down the “car Culture” which is negatively impacting our quality of live in Dominica.
thanks , hope the motorist are aware , so no one get injured. there should be a police vehicle in the front and back with lights on to protect the cyclist from motorize vehicles good job.