MIDDLE-aged men in Lycra will have to make way for younger wearers of the cycling fashion with more children expected to take part in Amy's Big Canberra Bike Ride next weekend.
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The ACT fund-raiser for the Amy Gillett Foundation is expecting an influx of younger cyclists as the sport gains popularity among teens and pre-teens.
Event manager Stuart Jones said children as young as six can ride the shorter 20km and 35km routes accompanied by an adult. The 68km and 110km are only open to riders over 12 years old.
"The first 10 kilometres for all routes is on roads closed to cars over Kings Avenue Bridge, along Parkes Way and Lady Denman Drive,'' Mr Jones said.
''I think the novelty of riding on those roads car-free really appeals to parents and kids. It's safe, it's fun, it's different and there are hundreds of other people doing it."
Director of Cycle Education Raynie McNee, who organises the kids' ride at the Mont 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race, said more children were riding bikes in competitions. Ms McNee said the organisation was considering creating new tracks to accommodate the growing number of children aged four to 13 who want to take part.
"[This] will be the fourth year we have offered a kids' ride. We are limited to 100 children and those places sell out within days. We hope new tracks will allow more children to take part," she said.
Amy's Big Canberra Bike Ride is next Sunday. It is run by Pedal Power ACT and the Amy Gillett Foundation, which aims to reduce road cycling fatalities.
To enter go to www.bcbr.org.au.
