Cyclists By CanalKnowing that I’m a swimming instructor and marathon runner people automatically assume that I would love to race a triathlon with them. I would love to race a triathlon one day, if only I could ride a bike. I took cycling proficiency lessons at school when I was 10, but I have never owned a bike as an adult and the saying that you never forget how to ride a bike is not true. I have forgotten. I discovered this the last time I rode a bike whilst visiting San Francisco. I thought it would be a good idea to hire a bike and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, until I got my wheel caught in a tram track and fell off (the bike not the bridge).

This week from 13-21st June however, is Bike Week, the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK. The focus of Bike Week 2009 is to encourage families to take up cycling as a regular activity. There are many events happening around the country to encourage everyone, including people like me to either, dig out their own bike or buy, hire or borrow one and explore the local community.

Cycling has many benefits to both our health and the community. There are many health problems associated with being overweight and not exercising enough, but cycling is great for keeping us fit and helps fight obesity. Whilst also being an effective form of aerobic activity cycling contributes to weight loss, burning about 5 calories a minute. Cycling for everyday journeys such as commuting to work or school is an easy way to increase you physical activity, whilst also reducing congestion, road danger, noise and pollution. A person making an 8 mile round trip to work would save half a tonne of carbon dioxide if they switched from driving to cycling. Cycling is often quicker than driving and with rising fuel prices the additional benefit is that once you have your bike your journeys are free.

People are often scared to cycle to work or allow their children to due to the dangers of the roads from traffic travelling too fast or irresponsible drivers. However there are now many designated cycle paths and this week the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, announced that the Nations Cycle Networks carries over one million journeys every day, half by bike and half by foot. The network which is 12,000 miles long now runs within 1 mile of 55% of the population.

There are many events being held during Bike Week ranging from cycle to work breakfasts, adult beginner rides, free cycle safety checks, cycle skills training to time trials. Halfords are also offering a one year half price Bike Care Plan with all bikes purchased during bike week. To find out what is taking place in your local area, 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 find your nearest bike rental outlet on the website. To find your nearest cycle trainer call 0800 849 1017 or look at Bikeability.org.uk.

Maybe this will be the summer I remind myself how to ride a bike and get to enjoy the scenic cycle routes of Britain.



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