SLOW BICYCLE races, bike maintenance workshops, tandem cycling and safe cycling seminars are among the events organised to mark National Bike Week which began yesterday.
More than 100 events have been organised around the State to encourage more people to use bicycles.
Bike week is an all-island event, with local authorities in all parts of the island signed up to run events in their areas. They are working with cyclist groups and organisations such as An Taisce and the Road Safety Authority.
One of the first events got under way yesterday when Cycling Ireland sent three riders on a week-long trip around Ireland.
Hazel Hall is travelling north, Paul O’Donoghue is travelling west and Dave McLaughlin is taking the southern route. They will pass through every county on the island during the week, linking up with local cycling clubs, schools and communities on their routes.
They will all finish their journeys in Mullingar on Sunday.
Minister of State with responsibility for sustainable travel planning, Ciarán Cuffe, wished the riders well and said bike week was about connecting with all types of cyclists.
“We’re trying to get more people to choose the bike as their primary mode of transport and to realise the health and fitness benefits of cycling regularly.”
Also yesterday, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council held Active8, an afternoon of cycling events and family fun at Shanganagh Park in Shankill.
Employees around the State have a chance to get involved in bike week when the workplace “10-minute cycle challenge” begins today. Every time participants take a trip of 10 minutes or more on their bikes they earn points in the competition. The challenge is open to any company that employs three or more people.
Wednesday has been designated Cycle to School Day, with events happening at primary schools around the State.
Friday is Cycle to Work Day and everyone will be encouraged to take the bike to work. Also on Friday, an international cycle race will be held in Belfast.
See www.bikeweek.ie for a full list of events.
NUMBER PLATES A SAFETY MOVE
BICYCLES WILL be fitted with number plates in a novel programme aimed at raising awareness of cycle safety.
The scheme will be launched today in Co Mayo where over 1,000 schoolchildren will be issued with number plates for their bikes.
Irish law only requires vehicles powered by combustion engines to carry number plates.
Noel Gibbons, road safety officer with Mayo County Council, says the number plates scheme will help raise awareness of cycle safety.
"The purpose of the number plates is to raise awareness around cycle safety and encourage more people to take to the two-wheel mode of transport rather than the four wheels.
"We also want to get the young cyclist to remember that they have a responsibility for their own safety when using a bicycle.
"The plates can be personalised to show the name of the cyclist making them a great novelty gift for every child," said Mr Gibbons.
The number plates will be presented to the young cyclists at the Mall in Castlebar at 2pm.
