October 18 marks National Ride2Work Day and Bike Bendigo and La Trobe University are also hosting Ride2Uni Day on the same day.

Riders can enjoy a free community breakfast in Hargreaves Mall hosted by the City of Greater Bendigo from 7.30am and there will also be music, community and bike shop stalls and other entertainment.

At La Trobe, Bike Bendigo president Jac Torres-Gomez said there would be free activities for cyclists in the Student Union after the ride including free coffee vouchers for Sweeney’s Café and a free buffet breakfast in the Mature Age Lounge.

“In support of making everyday cycling more accessible to the university community, the team from La Trobe University have engaged a team of ‘Cycle Angels’ leaving from different points in Bendigo for a guided ride to campus for Ride2Uni Day,” she said.

City of Greater Bendigo regional sustainable development manager Trevor Budge said Ride2Work Day aimed to encourage more people to ride to work on a regular basis.

“The event is an opportunity for people to try riding to work in a supportive and fun environment,” Mr Budge said.

“Bendigo is a great city for cycling, and more and more people are choosing to get on their bikes and experience the benefits of riding to work on a regular basis.”

The events form part of Bike Palooza Bendigo, a month-long festival celebrating cycling in Bendigo throughout October.

Other events still to come as part of Bike Palooza include Open Streets Bendigo on October 28 where part of Williamson Street will be closed to traffic with activities and live entertainment in Hargreaves Mall; and Filmed by Bike on October 20 in the mall from 6.30pm.

For more information go to www.bikepalooza.com.