Cyclist pedalling to Lethbridge in support of new bike campaign

By Lethbridge Herald on September 7, 2021.

Dale Woodard

Lethbridge Herald

A cyclist from Calgary is peddlling the message of the horrible consequences of impaired driving.

MADD Calgary and MADD Lethbridge & Area Chapters have joined forces to launch a brand new Bike 4 MADD campaign.

Leading the charge and hitting the road to deliver the message against impaired driving is MADD Calgary volunteer Christina Hendra, who will cycle from Calgary to Lethbridge.

A roughly 200km, 10-hour trek, Hendra will cycle from Calgary to Fort Macleod today and complete the trek Wednesday, arriving in Lethbridge at the Elizabeth Hall Wetlands parking lot at 11:30 a.m.

The Bike 4 MADD aims to bring awareness that impaired driving kills and injures innocent people every day and assist both Chapters in raising the necessary funds to continue to support families of the crime in addition to educating the public regarding the dangers of impaired driving.

“I’ve been involved with MADD Calgary for quite a few years,” said Hendra. “I’ve seen the complete devastation and horror when someone decides to actually drive when they’ve been drinking. It destroys so many lives forever.

“That’s why I’m doing this, it’s against the law and it’s wrong.”

The bicycle trek today and Wednesday will take her from Calgary to Lethbridge, but Hendra said the trip is a pilot for an even bigger goal next year.

“The plan next year is to cycle across Canada, going from different MADD chapters,” said Hendra, who cycled 1,000km across British Columbia back in February of 2020, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We have lots chapters are around Canada and I want to cycle from one to another, going all the way across Canada.”

Hendra said the message about the perils of impaired driving is not getting out.

“There are people getting caught by the police just doing it again. So whatever we’re doing is not working. The reason I want to do this is so I can make changes.”

Hendra said Canada has thew worst rate of impaired driving in the developed world.

According to the MADD Canada website, “Crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs are a leading criminal cause of death in Canada. 

“Every day, on average, up to four Canadians are killed and many more are injured in alcohol and/or drug-related motor vehicle crashes on public roads involving at least one “principal highway vehicle” (i.e. passenger cars, vans, trucks, and motorcycles).”

Funds raised will go towards supporting MADD programs and services, including supporting victims/survivors and their families and sending victims/survivors and their families to MADD’s National Victim of Impaired Driving Conference.

Other programs include school presentations, community presentations, volunteer training and implementing successful awareness campaigns, including Campaign 911, Boating 911, Project Red Ribbon.

Those wishing to make a donation can visit https://app.gigitmarketplace.com/event/bike4madd.

As of Friday afternoon, $1,030 had been raised.

MADD Lethbridge & Area are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as is MADD Canada.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor can contact contact MADD Calgary at (403) 278-8081 or info@maddcalgary.ca or MADD Lethbridge & Area Chapter at 1-800-665-6233 ext. 316 or maddlethbridgearea@gmail.com

“There is no excuse for driving impaired and impaired driving is completely preventable,” said Hendra. “If you’re going to drink, make plans for your transport before you drink the first drink.”

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