Bike Week in June is the UK’s annual ‘celebration of cycling’ and it’s coming to a town near you! Government-funded with support from the cycle industry, Bike Week aims to get ‘more people cycling more often’. 250,000 participants are anticipated this year.
[UKPRwire, Sat Feb 18 2006] Bike Week in June is the UK’s annual ‘celebration of cycling’ and it’s coming to a town near you! Government-funded with support from the cycle industry, Bike Week aims to get ‘more people cycling more often’. 250,000 participants are anticipated this year.
1,500 cycling events will be organised locally during 17-25 June, most free to enter and many suitable for novices and occasional cyclists. From easy traffic-free rides to time trials for beginners, Bike Week offers something for everyone who owns a bike. More than two million new bicycles are sold in the UK every year.
Pleasure rides to local attractions will be on offer, plus ‘bikeathons’ to raise funds for Leukaemia Research. Other more challenging events will appeal to cycling enthusiasts, including club rides open to non members. All events are listed at www.bikeweek.org.uk or phone 0845 612 0661 for information.
Many events will be organised by local councils and other employers to encourage more staff to ‘bike2work’ instead of commuting by car. Highways authorities are expected to launch new cycle route maps and cycle parking facilities in Bike Week, which was first organised in 1923.
In the run up to Bike Week cycle campaigners and shops will be providing ‘Dr Bike’ cycle safety checks. Skills training to a new national standard will be available from a growing number of accredited instructors. The 10,000 mile National Cycle Network includes many traffic-free sections that are ideal for novices and young children.
Bike Week is promoted for a group of 20 organisations* that are actively encouraging more cycling. Further information is available from HQ@bikeweek.org.uk or write to Bike Week, 10 South Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1SU.
ends
Issued on behalf of Bike Week by Nick Harvey, phone 01243 527444, mobile 07730 438082, email: nick@bikeweek.org.uk
Copyright-free photos, Bike Week and Bike2Work logos, etc are available on request.
The biggest events during Bike Week will be the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton ride on 18 June with 27,000 entrants, and the York Cycle Show plus CTC National Rally on 24/25 June which is expected to attract more than 12,000 cyclists.
*Bike Week 2006 Steering Group
Association for Commuter Transport
Association of Cycle Traders
Bicycle Association
British Cycling
British Schools Cycling Association
CTC – UK’s national cyclists’ organisation
Cycle Campaign Network
Cycle Northern Ireland
Cycling England
Cycling Scotland
Cycling Time Trials
Forestry Commission
London Cycling Campaign
Living Streets
The National Byway
National TravelWise Association
Ordnance Survey
Sustrans
Transport 2000
Welsh Walking & Cycling Forum.
Bike Week Funders
Cycling England
Transport for London / Good Going
Scottish Executive
Welsh Assembly Government
TravelWise Northern Ireland
BikeHub (cycle industry fund).
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