3 December 2009
For Immediate Release
Ride Planet Earth – Pedal Power for Climate Action
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A mass ride to the Sign On Planet A march and concert on Saturday 5 December
The Ride Planet Earth Auckland event this Saturday is expected to attract hundreds of cyclists, following the success of
October’s 350 Big Bike Ride, which brought out over 400 cyclists for a mass ride through central Auckland for the 350
global day of action.
The Auckland Ride is part of the Ride Planet Earth, an international day of action encouraging cyclists around the globe
to join street gatherings, demonstrating the capacity and willingness of ordinary people to take action against climate
change. Ride Planet Earth aims to help convince the world’s governments at the Copenhagen COP15 negotiations starting on
7 December to agree on a global climate deal.
One of the Auckland organisers, Pippa Coom, says Ride Planet Earth is an opportunity for ordinary people to join others
in voting with their feet and pedals to show that environmentally sustainable transport and travel can play a huge role
in reducing carbon gas emissions. “Carbon fuel based transport and travel accounts for roughly 35% of industrialised
nations’ carbon emissions. Let’s start by joining others across the globe by walking and cycling for more of our daily
trips.” Said Ms Coom
Ride Planet Earth was started by Kim Nguyen, who began as a solo bicycle journey from Brisbane, Australia, to
Copenhagen, Denmark, to collect messages from people already affected by global warming and their will for economic and
social change.
Over the course of the journey a mass solidarity movement has developed and bicycle rides are now occurring on every
continent to promote alternatives to burning fossil fuel.
The Auckland event starts at 11am at the Wintergardens, Auckland Domain for an easy mass cycle ride through central
Auckland to Albert Park for the Sign On Planet A march and concert at Myers Park. Organisers expect hundreds of cyclists
and riders, including many children, for this safe family-friendly event.
Ride Auckland is supported by Frocks on Bikes, Cycle Action Auckland, Sign On, Nextbikes and 350 Aotearoa.
All the details about where rides are taking place can be found at the Ride Planet Earth website or the Ride Planet
Earth facebook page. Details of Ride Auckland can be found at http://rideplanetearth.org/?page_id=788
ENDS