An important milestone reached by the Tathra to Kalaru bike path will be celebrated with a community event this weekend.
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A Bega Valley Shire Council spokesperson said the major section of the path between the two towns has been finished, linking key locations the Tathra RFS station and Evans Park, but overall it is not yet complete.
This section is part of a proposed bike path to run from Tathra to Bega and was funded with a $3million grant from the NSW government, secured by the Bega Tathra Safe Ride community group.
Bega Tathra Safe Ride secretary Doug Reckord said he had been regularly riding on the path and had noticed many others had been using it too.
"The feedback we are getting from people is of absolute delight," he said.
"People have been under a lot of pressure with the bushfires, the coronavirus and the economic fallout from that.
"There is strong evidence cycling is a positive way to look after your mental health and promote your physical health."
Mr Reckord said due to the path Kalaru residents can now walk or ride to the beach rather than have to take their cars, but he was particularly excited about what it meant for young people.
"Transport in our area is a critical issue and if our young people have access to a bike to get safely from point A to point B, you've improved their lives," he said.
The Ready to Ride community event this weekend will be held to celebrate the path's official opening and is being billed as a fun and free morning of science, cycling safety, well-being and clean energy activities for the whole family.
Held on Saturday, December 5 from 10.30am at Evans Park, Kalaru, it is also a fundraiser to help improve the facilities at Evans Park.
Bournda Environmental Education Centre will run science challenges, Bega Valley Medical Practice will talk about it Teen Clinic and the health benefits of cycling, RUOK will be in attendance, volunteers can conduct health checks on your bikes, plus more.
Mr Reckord said the completion of this section of the path was a good achievement worth celebrating and he hoped the path would be extended to reach Bega over the next five years.
"We're only one third of the way to Bega," Mr Reckord said.
"It's great we've got from Tathra to Kalaru, but we also want people to sign a letter of support to make the next stage happen. If we get to Bega, it will become a regional tourist attraction."
To register for Ready to Ride click here.