Christchurch’s Steven Muir discovered the freedom of cycling while biking to kindergarten and his passion for the bike has not waned. Mr Muir is combining his love of cycling with his concern for social justice and the environment by riding from Invercargill to Christchurch as part of TEAR Fund’s Poverty Cycle event.
The Poverty Cycle aims to raise $500,000 for New Zealand youth charities such as Christchurch's 24-7 YouthWork and TEAR Fund's child development projects overseas. Mr Muir has a passion for helping others look after the planet by encouraging them to cycle rather than take a car, and for the impoverished and disadvantaged.
"The bicycle is a great way to reduce inequalities in the world and make a big difference to the health of people and the planet, and the poverty cycle is a great way to express this," he said.
The 43-year-old admits the ride will be a challenge. "It's been over 20 years since I've done a ride this big and my bones have aged a bit since then, but the physical, economical, environmental and social benefits are huge, so it will be well worth it." He was also looking forward to the challenge of being on a long ride and enjoying the beautiful scenery, he said.
Mr Muir is looking for others who can support the cause by sponsoring his ride or even joining the ride. Participants can even register to ride a stage or several stages of the journey.
The Poverty Cycle is split into two separate events. The national tours consist of two teams of riders, one team riding from Invercargill to Wellington (February 21-March 4), and the other from Whangarei to Wellington (February 22-March 4). There are also four family-friendly rides in Christchurch, Nelson, New Plymouth and Auckland on March 5. The Christchurch ride follows the Little River trail on Banks Peninsula.
The public can sponsor Mr Muir by going to the Poverty Cycle website www.poverty.org.nz, and search his name to access his fundraising page, or take part in one of the Poverty Cycle events.
