I read David Lowe’s article (December 31, 2024) about his cycling to Uluru.
In 2024 I cycled from Cairo to Cape Town. There is another local couple who cycled across Africa in 2012. The rail trail has great potential for bringing cycling tourism to the area serviced by The Echo.
I cycle several times a week from Ballina to Broadwater, to Lismore via Dalwood, to Newrybar via Pearces Creek and/or Fernleigh, Rous via Uralba down to Meerschaum Vale and back via Wardell.
The area has stunning cycling routes and opportunities. The Byron Bay Bike Club has hosted the Cycling Festival in Lismore in 2023 and 2024.
There are a number of informal cycling groups that cycle in the area most days per week.
The conduct of some (mainly young) e-bike riders is generating adverse social media comments. In contrast to these posts I am seeing an increasing number of people riding e-bikes recreationally. Riders cover all the age groups, and often comprise family groups with dad and mum with a child (or in some cases a couple of children) as pillion passengers. It is a joy to see a whole new group of people embracing cycling.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
