BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
This week Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill MP joined newly elected MPs to publicly express their support for cycling, for the annual parliamentary bike ride to College Green.
The ride is also timed to drum up PR for Bike Week, which officially launched at the Dutch Embassy.
Bike Week runs June 13th to 21st June and is supported by the Bicycle Association’s Bike Hub, Cyclescheme and Love to Ride, among others.
Dutch Ambassador Laetitia van den Assum said: “Cycling runs in our blood and we are happy to share our national passion with the British. We are proud of the now well-established tradition that the Embassy hosts the launch of the annual Bike Week, as well as the start of the Parliamentary Bike Ride to Westminster.
"We have always been huge supporters of cycling in the UK, and will continue to share our expertise with our British partners. From our long experience, we know that challenges sometimes seem unsurmountable, but they can be overcome. The progress that has already been made with cycling infrastructure in the UK is fantastic!”
Philip Darnton, Executive Director of the Bicycle Association, added: “The Bicycle Association has long been a sponsor of Bike Week, and, on behalf of the cycle industry, we are delighted to help fund this year’s “Cycle To Work” celebration. Short urban trips are often quicker and easier by bike – and the health benefits are free!
"Over the past 4 years cycling to the station, for example, has increased by over 4 million trips every year, with backing from Government, Network Rail, and train operators. Now, with support from key national and international businesses for the ‘economic vitality’ which cycling brings to our communities, we look forward to Government promoting greater investment in cycling to make it an everyday reality”.
Half a million to saddle up
The CTC confirmed that over half a million people are set to take part in Bike Week – the biggest cycling event in the UK this summer. Packed full of events and tips on how to make the simple switch to cycling, Bike Week 2015 demonstrates that cycling is a convenient way to get around.
CTC’s Bike Week Coordinator Jonathan Sharpe said: “With tens of thousands more bikes being brought back to life through CTC’s recent Big Bike Revival, we expect this year’s Bike Week to be an even bigger than before.
“Whether it’s joining up with a bike buddy on your way into work, enjoying a bike breakfast before clocking in, or getting your bike checked over by a Dr Bike in your tea break, Bike Week is designed to show you just how easy it is to incorporate cycling into your day.”
Love to Ride are inviting people and organisations from around the UK to take part in the first ever National Cycle Challenge.
Sam Robinson, Love to Ride General Manager said: “We know how good it feels to ride on two wheels and we want people everywhere to experience and share this feeling too. So we urge everyone to join the 1,700 organisations already registered into the National Cycle Challenge. You can ride anywhere, at anytime during the 3-week Challenge and there are great individual and team prizes up for grabs."
Laurence Boon, Marketing Manager at Cyclescheme said ““There are so many cycling events taking place throughout this summer, cycling will be hard to miss. Whether it’s the Love to Ride challenge, Bike Week or Cycle to Work Day, it is clear that the humble ride to work will be celebrated all summer”.
Public liability insurance, free to all Bike week branded events has been funded by the bicycle industry through its Bike Hub levy. It is now available all year not just for the period around Bike Week itself.
