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Victoria hosting emergency prep rally for cyclists

Cyclists could play an integral role in local disaster relief

Emergency preparedness officials will direct 40 cyclists in disaster relief activities tomorrow (July 27) in what is being billed as the inaugural Tour de Disaster.

The event, being run as a fun rally as well as a emergency preparedness exercise, will see the cyclists – loaded down with 12 litres of water and two eggs – start and end at Topaz Park and deal with simulated disaster scenarios in various neighbourhoods around the city of Victoria.

Their “cargo” represents the heavy, bulky and breakable supplies that cyclists will be asked to transport after a disaster.

Among the challenges are searches for lost individuals, the moving of supplies and equipment and damage assessments. One test will see cyclists asked to lift their bikes over a one-metre high road divider meant to simulate a road blocked by fallen debris.

The cyclists hit the road at 9 a.m. and are scheduled to finish off by noon.

For more information on the rally, visit PrepareVictoria.ca.

editor@vicnews.com