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Bike Week takes place 11-19th June.
2500 local cycling events and rides are expected to attract at least 300 000 participants during the ‘week’, many of whom will be new cyclists or returning to cycling.
This yearÂ’s Bike Week – government-funded and sponsored by the cycle industryÂ’s Bike Hub levy scheme – is promoting ‘everyday cycling for health and fitnessÂ’. Many events are aimed at novice or lapsed cyclists, including children and young families. Hundreds of Bike2Work rides are being organised by employers and workplace bicycle user groups (BUGs), helping to reduce the number of unnecessary car journeys by commuters.
The first national Bike Week was held in 1923. Last year more than 1400 events attracted 250 000 cyclists. Bike Week is organised for 16 organisations that want to encourage ‘more people to cycle more often’.
One of the highlights of the week for pun-tastic headline writers is the annual Parliamentary Bike Ride. MPs of all creeds and colours go on a short jaunt to show their support of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group.
This yearÂ’s ride takes place on Tuesday 14th June and is expected to attract more than 60 MPs and Peers, including Derek Twigg, the new transport minister in charge of cycling and walking policy.
The All Party Parliamentary Cycling group was one of the largest all party groups with 90 members in the previous Parliament. Members will meet immediately after the ride to appoint officers.
