Deago duo, Kerrie Lathopolous and Sharon Simmons are set to tackle a sport little known in Australia, but widely known in Europe, at the 2010 Footbike World Championships in Italy.

Footbikes (‘scooters’) have been a mode of transport and recreation for years, but the style ‘Kickbike’ which Kerrie and Sharon are riding was created in Finland in 1994. Footbiking is now contested as a sport worldwide under the International Kicksled and Scooter Association (IKSA).

Ms Simmons – who holds the Australian record for the 200m sprint, 1km sprint, 2km, 5km and 10km time trials – first started riding two years ago.

Fellow personal trainer, Kerrie Lathopolous followed six months later.

Ms Lathopolous said the footbike was not taxing on the body, but admitted it could be hard work.

“You can burn more calories on a footbike than cycling,” she said. “It’s a lot easier on the body than running though, and great for people with knee problems.”

The Brighton Absolutely Flabless trainers will be among seven Queenslanders to contest the Footbike World Championships from August 5 – 7.

The duo will contest a range of categories at the championships including the 400m sprint, 15km, 36km and relay.

To help with travel expenses and purchase of race bikes through sponsorship please phone 07 3269 3428.

Alan Stewart's Girlfriend stretching before a race

If you’ve ever wanted to join the racing days hosted by the AFA, but haven’t felt confident enough, then why not enter in the new Novice Section on a 1km bike criterium track?

If you think you can kick a scooter for 1000 metres then come and give it a go! You’ll receive lots of crowd support – in fact, no one can ‘hoorah!’ like the crowds attending previous races!!!

Entry fee for the novice race is $10. This includes Kickbike hire, and there will be competitor spot prizes at the prize giving afterwards. The next race is at:

Criterium Track, Albert Bishop Park, Hedley Avenue, Nundah

on the 31st of May, and registrations open at 12.00pm.

For more information please contact Bruce Cook on 07 3359 0869.