Ulster Unionist Transport Minister Danny Kennedy MLA is calling on the Northern Ireland public to power up their pedals for “Two Wheels: Two Weeks” of cycling activity from 16 -24 June 2012.
The Minister made his call as he announced a wide range of cycling events that will take place across Northern Ireland
. “There is something for everyone during Two Wheels, Two Weeks, from first time cyclists or those who are maybe a bit out of practice to the more accomplished cyclist. Over half a million people are expected to take part in cycling events across the UK and Ireland and it would be great to see as many people as possible from here getting involved and enjoying the benefits of travelling by bike.“This year we see familiar fixtures on the Bike Week calendar which kicks off on Monday 18 June at Stormont with the MLA Bike Ride. We will see hundreds of children taking part in Bike to School Day on Wednesday 20 June and on Friday 22 June its Bike to Work Day which gives people the opportunity to cycle en masse, meeting at the Belfast Gasworks to pedal to Belfast City Hall.“Everyone taking part in the wide variety of events this year will get to experience and enjoy the health, financial and environmental benefits offered by cycling. People in Northern Ireland are far too reliant on their cars and initiatives like these help to promote alternative options and their benefits. Cycling is a fun, healthy, safe and low-cost way to travel – so why not try it out?“I would like to commend all the external organisations involved in arranging events from community groups and schools to businesses and councils which will make the fortnight of activities bigger and better than previous years.”Travelwise NI is also sponsoring Cooperation Ireland’s Maracycle event which will see hundreds of cyclists travel from Dublin to Belfast and back again on 23 – 24 June.
A new cycling initiative this year is the Ten Minute Cycle Challenge, run jointly by Travelwise NI and the Republic of Ireland’s Smarter Travel Workplaces. This will involve around 60 teams from over 150 organisations in NI and ROI logging all cycling trips made from 6 -26 June.
To find out about events in your area log onto
www.nidirect.gov.uk/travelwiseni or
facebook.com/Travelwiseni to register a cycling event contact Andy Bready or Michael Lindsay at Travelwise NI on 0845 3780908.
