Carleton’s cycling club, C.U. Cycling, encouraged students to put on their ugliest sweater and go for a bike ride through neighbourhoods near campus Oct. 19.
The event was originally scheduled for the day before, but happened the day after because of rainy weather.
Mitch Kibsey, a masters of engineering student and co-founder of C.U. Cycling said the weekly bike ride has been going strong for a few years. Every Saturday, interested bikers meet in front of the University Centre at 11:00 a.m. to go for a “casual” ride around the city.
“We take a different route every week,” he said. “The idea is to get better acquainted with our city and the bike paths that are available.”
Tamara Nahal, a public affairs and policy management graduate and co-founder of the club, said the idea for a an ugly sweater-themed ride developed during the cycling and eco fair on Sept. 10.
“Someone came to our booth and suggested that we host some kind of themed ride,” she said. “And we all came up with the idea of an ugly sweater ride.”
Nahal said the purpose of the ride was to get out and enjoy the fall season.
“The best way to get to know a city is to do it by bike,” she said. “It’s faster than walking, so you can cover a lot of distance. You’re not traveling so fast as you might be in a car, and you’re not sticking to a strict route like you might be with a bus. And not to mention, it’s fun.”
Fun isn’t the cycling club’s only goal. The group was originally founded after student Krista Johnson lost her life in October 2012 when she collided with a truck while riding her bicycle on Bronson Avenue.
“She was crossing the bridge over the canal when the accident happened,” said Kibsey. “I rode my bike to school along that same path, so I felt particularly vulnerable.”
“A handful of students that attended the town hall realized that there was no group on campus to represent cyclists. We decided to create C.U. Cycling,” he said.
Kibsey said the club’s efforts resulted in the installation of the flexible posts along the Bronson bike lanes and an improved signalling system at the Brewer Park intersection.
The weekend’s event was created as an opportunity to relax, stay active, and have fun.
C.U. cycling is also planning on screening a cycling-themed documentary, a bike maintenance and repair class, and a winter cycling workshop.
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