Assumption Life Bike Ride: More Eco-Friendly than Ever!
The sixth Assumption Life Bike Ride set to roll on Saturday, October 3, at the Botanical Garden in Saint-Jacques will be the "greenest" to date! From noon until 4 p.m., participants will enjoy group activities, buskers, face-painting, educational booths on environmental protection and kiosks featuring local products in addition to the bike ride and "poker run" on foot.
"Through this eco-friendly event, we aim to raise public awareness about the potential impact of our daily activities on the quality of our environment," stated Jacques P. Martin, mayor of Edmundston. "All choices regarding activities, entertainment and food services were made keeping in mind that it’s possible to hold large-scale events while also limiting our ecological footprint. We’re really pleased to take part in this Bike Ride event with Assumption Life, because it’s important to take advantage of opportunities to promote this kind of awareness."
People are encouraged to walk, bike or carpool with family, friends or neighbours to attend the event. The greenhouse gases generated through energy consumption relating to the planning and holding of the event and the amount of waste produced at the event site will also be tracked. "We’re going to offset our energy consumption by planting trees throughout the city of Edmundston," explained Sébastien Duguay, environment coordinator for the City of Edmundston. Also at the event, RESNET and COGENO will collect recyclables.
An event with an eco-friendly twist
According to Paula Murchison, community recreation coordinator for the City of Edmundston, the Assumption Life Bike Ride used to target mostly students. "By moving the event to a weekend, we wanted to make it more accessible for the entire community and put even greater emphasis on the environment and the event’s message," she explained. "We even added an eco-friendly twist by featuring buskers this year, including Virgule Majuscule, an active transportation expert, Cléobüle, who rides around on an oval-wheeled bike, and Gargouille la Grenouille, who entertains on eco-friendly themes."
Registration and event information
With registration at 11 a.m., the bike ride will start at the Edmundston Marina at 11:30 a.m. and follow the bike trail to the Botanical Garden. An "eco-quiz" walk scheduled in the afternoon will give participants a chance to test their environmental knowledge. Registration for the walk taking place at 2:30 p.m. will be on-site at the Botanical Garden. "The Assumption Life Bike Ride provides an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness about the importance and benefits of active transportation while also promoting our trail system," noted Marco Clavet, sports and outdoor activity coordinator for the City of Edmundston.
Social and environmental responsibility
"We all have a responsibility to do our part for the environment," concluded Denis Losier, president and CEO of Assumption Life. "No one can afford to just stand by; we all have a role to play in this. The Assumption Life Bike Ride is proof that we’re all able to work together – the private sector, municipalities and environmental organizations – to promote eco-friendly lifestyle habits and have fun at the same time."
The rain date for the event will be the following day, October 4.
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Information:
Marie-Josée Plourde
Communications Agent
Assumption Life
Telephone: 506-853-5583
mariejosee.plourde@assumption.ca
Sébastien Duguay
Environmental Coordinator
City of Edmundston
Telephone: 506-739-2103
