Saddle up for national Bike Week - 17/06/06
Saddle up for Bike Week!
Bike Week in June is the UK's annual 'celebration of cycling' and it's coming to a town near you! Bike Week aims to get 'more people cycling more often'. 250,000 participants are anticipated this year.
Cycling Scotland is promoting Bike Week in Scotland, lending PR support to some of the major events and publicising the week's proceedings as widely as possible. From large group rides to a cycling film festival, there's something in this year's programme of activities for everyone, whether they currently cycle or not.
Bike Week's main aim is to get as many people as possible out experiencing the pleasures and benefits of cycling. Many events are aimed at beginners, easing novices into the saddle with rides on quiet off-road paths. Cycle training and 'Dr Bike' safety checks are available all across the country for those who want to get clued up before getting behind the handlebars.
There's also plenty going on for those who are already bike-mad. Lengthy mass participation rides, the opening of new cycle paths and long distance relays are just a few of the things on offer. Converts new and old can round off the week's activities at the Bike Film festival in Edinburgh, where an eclectic mix of cycle related films will be showing from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 June.
Cycling Scotland will be out and about at:
Sat 17 June - Red R Canal Cycle Challenge - A 50 mile mass participation ride along the Forth and Union canal from Glasgow to Edinburgh.
Sun 18 June - Leukaemia Research Kingussie Bikeathon - Around 1000 cyclists are expected to descend upon Kingussie for this 26 mile charity ride through the Highlands.
Tuesday 20 June - Loch Lomond Cycle Path Opening - Transport Minister Tavish Scott MSP opens a new cycle route in one of Scotland's most scenic national parks.
Wednesday 21 June - MSP Bike Ride - Over a dozen MSPs show their support for Bike Week by cycling from Edinburgh’s City Chambers to the Scottish Parliament.
Thursday 22 June - Gartnavel Hospital Cycle Friendly Employer Award - Cycling Scotland provides the icing on the cake of Gartnavel Hospital's Bike Week activities with this award for encouraging and providing for people cycling to work.
Friday 23 - Sunday 25 June - TryCycling Edinburgh Bike Film Festival - Cycle feature films, documentaries, shorts and much more are showing at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh.
Wherever in Scotland you live, there's bound to be something going on near you. Log on to
www.bikeweek.org.uk to find out events in your area.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
1. Cycling Scotland is core funded by the Scottish Executive to bring cycling out from the fringes of everyday life and into the mainstream. We aim to integrate cycling into modern living as a sustainable mode of transport, a means of excercise, and a strong contributor to the Scottish tourist economy.
2. Bike Week has been going since 1923, when it was started by the Cycle Touring Club (CTC).
3. Cycling can bring huge personal and environmental benefits:
• 1 in 4 Scots are at risk of early death as a result of diseases attributable to sedentary lifestyles. (NHS)
• 62% of all journeys between 1 and 2 miles are made by car. (DETR)
• Traffic congestion costs the UK economy between 15 and 20 billion pounds annually. (CBI)
• Regular cycle users enjoy, on average, the health of people 10 years their junior. (BMA)
• 9% of Scottish 3-4 year olds are obese .(BMJ)
• 46% of children would like to cycle to school but less than 2% do. (Spokes)
• An increase in cycle use results in a reduction in road accidents. (Sustrans)
• By 2020 traffic in Scotland is predicted to increase by 27%. (Travelwise)
• Cycling played a part in generating £202million of tourist turnover in 2002. (VisitScotland)
• 2500 Scots die every year as a result of physical inactivity. (Scottish Executive).
• Cycling is the perfect way to get the recommended 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity.
• Cycling at least 20 miles a week halves the risk of a heart attack. (BMA).
• Cycling also reduces the risk of other cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes and some types of cancer.
• Cycling on roads is statistically quite safe in comparison to other modes of transport. There is 1 cyclist death per every 33,000,000km cycled.
For more information contact:
Andrew Pankhurst, Cycling Scotland, 0141 229 5354.
