The Niagara chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's 13th annual Big Bike event took place on Thursday, May 1, with 10 teams from local organizations took turns riding the super-sized bike, which can accommodate 29 passengers plus a driaver.

One of Canada's only 30-passenger bicycles could be seen leaving the Boston Pizza parking lot, making its way down Niagara Street, through the Seaway Mall and back to the restaurant. Each team travelled 15 minutes for the two-kilometre route, waved to passing cars and shook their noisemakers.

"An average team consists of maybe 22 members and each member is encouraged to raise a minimum of $50 in pledges," explains Sara Belanger, the Niagara area co-ordinator.

The first team to take the bike for a spin was Remax Welland Realty Ltd. whose members raised $1,809. The majority of members on the team were relatively new and although the sky was grey and it threatened to rain, the weather didn't dampen their moods.

Equipped with noisemakers and whistles, they couldn't wait to get moving.

The ride was a first for Team Remax's Julianne Crawford.

"It's great to get out and help an excellent cause and to support your team," she said.

Another person excited to get going was the driver, Brian Kelly. In charge of steering the bike, Kelly has been driving the 30-person bike for six years.

"It's so much excitement and a lot of fun. It's also great meeting nice people and it is for a great cause."

The event in Welland raised approximately $18,880 and is just one of the Big Bike events in Niagara. There are 12 scheduled altogether for the next two months.