Getting on board the rail trail corridor Robbie McEwen is keen to see the Murwillumbah to Casino rail trail get its planning under way.
McEwen is a Gold Coast-based rider with a professional road cycling career that spanned from 1996 to 2012.
Born in Brisbane, McEwen has more than 200 professional race wins – including 12 Tour de France stages wins.
‘Not only is Robbie a household name that will bring considerable momentum to the campaign, he is a leader in the Australian cycling community,’ said (Northern Rivers Rail Trail) NRRT spokesperson Marie Lawton.
Recently Richmond Valley and Lismore councils have both committed $50,000 towards planning for the section of Northern Rivers Rail Trail within their shire boundaries.
This will be supported by a 30 day crowd funding campaign starting on 6 June that Amis to raise another $75,000 for that planning.
‘Having Robbie involved will bring much greater awareness and support for that campaign,’ said Lawton.
McEwen joins former Deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony as a patron of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
‘I’ve spent many hours training on the roads of the Northern Rivers and I did quite a bit of racing with the Murwillumbah Cycle Club, so I know how spectacular that area is,’ said McEwen.
‘As someone who has trained and raced in many parts of the world, I can safely say a trail along the Murwillumbah to Casino rail corridor would be one of the best in the world.
‘If you look at the success of trails in places like Otago on the New Zealand south island and compare their scenery to the landscapes and attractions we have here, you could be confident the Northern Rivers Rail Trail would bring in people from around the world.’
Tweed Shire Council has previously dedicated funding to planning and designs for its section of the corridor and, with NRRT support, is nearing completion of that process in a bid to have the first section of the rail trail.
‘There is a huge number of cyclists and generally active people just north of the border, right on the Tweed’s doorstep, and attracting them to the rail trail will be a big part of its success,’ continued McEwen.
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