Bike week is underway
Warwickshire County Council has arranged an array of activities for this year’s National Bike Week, which got underway on Saturday and continues through until Sunday.
Now that summer has arrived, the council hopes that more people than ever will give cycling to work a go.
Starting off the week is the Leamington Peace Festival and members of Warwickshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team and Cycleways will be on hand providing a display and valuable cycling information to Warwickshire citizens. The event will also include a display of bikes from John Atkins Cycles and a competition quiz with the prize worth £100.
County council staff will be taking to the saddle on Warwickshire’s Bike 2 Work Day tomorrow. Council staff will be rewarded for their efforts with a goody bag containing fairly traded produce including Geobars, mango bars, tea and coffee from Fairtrade suppliers Traidcraft and Tropical Wholefoods. Members of the public can also get their bike checked free of charge between 10am and 4pm in Market Square, Warwick as John Atkins’ “Dr Bike” will be on hand. There will also be some static bikes courtesy of Southam Leisure Centre available for the public to have a go.
Those people that are unable to cycle on the day and travel to work by car can still make their contribution by donating to Leukaemia Research. Last year Council staff raised an amazing £346.59 for the charity and the Sustainable Travel Team are hoping that staff can beat this amount at the 2006 event.
Thursday will see a major event named “Pedalling for Stratford” where cycling related displays and competitions will take place on Waterside. A cycle ride down the new Stratford Greenway will be led by Stratford’s cycling group Shakespokes setting off from Stratford Market Place at 7pm.
Nicola Small, Warwickshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team Leader said: “Cycling is such a great way to get about. It’s quick and easy and helps you stay fit. I have continued to cycle throughout my pregnancy and intend to cycle every day during bike week, even though Castle Hill feels steeper than ever!”
Cllr Martin Heatley, the county council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “Bike Week is such a great opportunity for people to get out in the fresh air and try cycling to work. People who cycle regularly are as fit as a person ten years younger. Why not spend another ten minutes a day on the daily commute by cycling and get to enjoy your surroundings, improve your health and fitness, save petrol and save time and money at the gym too?”