The hills will be alive with people trying out the sport of mountain biking on Sunday March 12, if the Kalamunda Bicycle User Group (BUG) has its way.

As part of the Cycle Instead Bikeweek 2006 celebrations, the Kalamunda BUG and the Shire of Kalamunda are hosting guided community rides along some favourite trails.

Organiser Brian Blechynden said that participants could choose from an easy ride and a harder route, both starting at 9.00am from Stirk Park on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Headingly Road in Kalamunda.

Both rides will be followed by a free sausage sizzle and the awarding of prizes.

“We have some excellent trails in the Kalamunda area, such as these that feature both on-road facilities and off-road sections,” Mr Blechynden said.

”Also, many of the trails are suitable for inexperienced riders.”

Bikeweek, a hugely popular initiative of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, has been a fixture on the Western Australian cycling calendar for two decades.

The Department’s Manager Cycling, Ken Suttie, said that with more than 80 activities throughout the State, this year’s Cycle Instead Bikeweek, to be held from March 10 to 19, was a great opportunity for people to be involved in an enjoyable cycling event.

“This year we want people to realise the wide range of benefits that their bike and our world-class cycling facilities can offer,” Mr Suttie said.

“It’s a wonderful way to experience the great outdoors, get fitter, create a cleaner environment, reduce traffic congestion and save large sums of money on those ever-increasing fuel and parking costs.

”For more information on what’s on offer in the way of activities during Bikeweek 2006, visit our cycling pages.”

For more information contact Brian Blechynden at the Shire of Kalamunda on 9257 9997.

Media contacts: Steve Worner - (08) 9216 8716 or Ken Suttie (08) 9216 8673