‘Get more out of life, get cycling’ in East Hampshire during Bike Week
29 May 2009 13 - 21 June Bike Week, the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, is this year inviting families to get more out of life by swapping four wheels for two and discovering new places in their local community by bike
East Hampshire will join other areas across the UK in hosting free cycling events with the theme ‘get more out of life: live local, get cycling’.
‘The East Hampshire Family Cycling Festival’ at Alice Holt Forest is free and takes place on Sunday 14June. A range of bikes will be available to try, including unusual cycles for both adults and children. There will be rides exploring the woodland trails of Alice Holt Forest, information on health, details of cycling opportunities all around Hampshire and bike safety checks to ensure your bike is ready for the summer.
Clive Andrews, CTC‘s Cycle Champions Officer for East Hampshire, said: “Many families in the area are looking for easy ways to get more out of life, particularly during these difficult financial times. Cycling brings families together and is a fantastic, free way to explore new places. We hope that people will use Bike Week as the perfect opportunity to get back on their bikes.”
East Hampshire Cycling for All is a CTC Cycle Champions project set up in partnership with East Hampshire District Council and the Forestry Commission. Throughout the year it organises a series of rides to encourage as many people as possible to try cycling and feel its benefits. ‘Healthy Rides’ for men and women will be held at Alice Holt Forest on Saturday 13June, as well as a Forest Discovery Ride on Monday 15 June. ‘Cycling for All’ sessions for people with disabilities, using specialist equipment, will take place at Queen Elizabeth Country Park on Monday 15 June, and at Alice Holt Forest on Thursday 18 June.
Over half of all car journeys are less than five miles long, so by switching them to an easy thirty minute bike ride, you’ll save money, find new places in East Hampshire you didn’t know existed, shrink your carbon footprint and get fit too.
There’s something for everyone during Bike Week, with events ranging from cycle training and Dr Bike sessions for novices, to commuter challenges and group rides around local cycling routes - all for free! Many are open to the entire family, meaning it’s a great way to spend time together and meet other East Hampshire locals whilst rediscovering the fun of riding a bike in a safe and friendly environment.
To find out what else is taking place in East Hampshire visit www.bikeweek.org.uk and enter your postcode. If you’d like to take part but don’t have a bike, this shouldn’t stop you – you can also find your nearest bike rental outlet on the website.
Five reasons to get on your bike:
1. Over half of our car journeys are less than 5 miles – swapping them for an easy 30 minute bike ride can save you a small fortune in fuel costs.
2. Cyclists live on average at least two years longer than non-cyclists and their fitness levels are equivalent to being ten years younger – so forget nip and tuck, think pedal and push!
3. Cycling is the ultimate family activity; it’s free, healthy, fun and encourages children to be independent.
4. Cycling gets you out and about and you’re more likely to find a beautiful park you never knew existed than when you’re cooped up in a car.
5. In a hurry? During rush-hour, a bicycle is twice as fast as a car - good if you hate traffic jams! Even better, you won’t spend a penny on parking.
For more information see www.ctc.org.uk/easthampshire, contact Clive Andrews on 07717 721511 or CTC’s Press Office on 0844 736 8453 or 07786 320713.
Published by: Travel Actively on Friday May 29 2009
