Bike Week was started by the then Cyclists Touring Club (now CTC) in 1923 and in 2009 over 440,000 cyclists took part. The aim is a simple one, namely to get more people on bikes more often.
By demonstrating to people that getting back on a bike is easy and fun for all the family, Bike Week aims to encourage them to continue to cycle throughout the year.
The 2010 event is called Team Green Britain Bike Week and runs from 19th to 27th June. Team Green Britain was founded by EDF Energy, the new Bike Week sponsor, and aims to help Britons reduce their carbon footprint by 2012.
One way it achieves this is by offering advice on how to make everyday journeys as sustainable as possible.
With more than 700,000 existing members, Team Green Britain should make Bike Week stronger than ever through more people taking part and more events to promote cycling as an everyday practical and healthy lifestyle choice that can help the planet too.
Regional Workshops
Team Green Britain’s support has made a difference already, enabling the funding of 13 regional workshops for new and existing event organisers.
Through these free workshops organisers can benefit from the experience of experts from the world of event management and public relation, and get practical tips, ideas and inspiration as well as advice on organising an event, marketing and promotion. There is also the chance to meet other organisers and share ideas and experiences.
The workshops are being held in Perth, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast, York, Chester, Birmingham, Aberystwyth, Cambridge, London, Cardiff, Exeter and Brighton.
A host of events have already been confirmed and in a new feature for 2010, Toby Radcliffe, an event sustainability consultant, will offer advice on how to minimise the environmental impact of Bike Week events.
Ride Across Britain
One of the longest events is the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, which takes place over nine days. Riders leave John O’Groats at the crack of dawn on the first morning and arrive nine days and over 1,000 miles later in Land’s End.
Castlebay School Cycling Challenge on the Isle of Barra aims to encourage pupils to cycle to and from school and use their bikes safely, while York will host a weekend cycling festival incorporating a large cycle show and exhibition, arena events, CTC National Rally, day rides, catering and bar, entertainment and children’s activities, with camping and caravan pitches available for the weekend.
In Swindon there will be ladies night, a sociable bike ride around Swindon Borough on road. It will be leisurely paced and for women only.
They will meet, chat, cycle, raise a little money for the Breast Cancer Campaign charity and finish off with a cup of tea or something stronger.
The Big Wheel of Kent consists of rides from 10 Kent towns finishing at Dane John Gardens in Canterbury.
Two 30-mile circular rides that start and end in Canterbury will also take place and a cycle festival in Dane John Gardens with stalls, music, food and drink.
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