Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival to get people in Inverness cycling for every day journeys

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ISSUED BY Big Bike Revival Scotland

A national project encouraging thousands of people to cycle for every day journeys is coming to Inverness.  The Big Bike Revival, an award-winning programme developed by Cycling UK and funded by Transport Scotland, helps people in Scotland to bring their bikes back into use by providing bike health checks, sharing maintenance knowhow and giving people more confidence in the saddle.

Through Big Bike Revival funding The Velocity Café and Bicycle Workshop have already run two successful Dr Bike events in Inverness and Dingwall has still has a wide range of events planned for Inverness in the next month.

Events are listed below, all of which are free to access.

Date

Time

Location

Event

Monday 19th June

12:30-13:30

Inverness Campus, UHI

Led ride as an introduction to easy road skills (around Inverness campus).

Maximum 16 cyclists, booking essential.

Monday 26th June

12:30-13:30

Eden Court, Inverness

Led ride focusing on busy roundabouts and city centre skills.

Maximum 10 cyclists, booking essential.

Saturday

1st July

10:00-11:00

Bellfield Park, Inverness

Led ride encouraging families to get out on their bikes.

Maximum 16 cyclists, booking essential.

Monday 3rd July

12:30-13:30

Highland Council HQ, Inverness

Led ride focusing on road positioning and gearing; road confidence and bike skills.

Maximum 12 attendees, booking essential.

Wednesday 5th July

11:00-14:30

Eden Court, Inverness

Drop in Dr Bike event to get a free bicycle safety check.

No booking required.

 

Further information at booking for events please visit: http://velocitylove.co.uk/whats-on-in-the-cafe  and on Eventbrite:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--inverness/velocity

The Scottish Government has a vision to see 10% of every day journeys by cycle by 2020 and the Big Bike Revival will provide support and activities to encourage more people to get cycling to help achieve this vision. In 2016, Big Bike Revival activities in Scotland encouraged over 4,000 new trips by bike, of which 34% were previously car journeys and 2017 activities and events will build on this behaviour change outcome.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government is once again supporting The Big Bike Revival in Scotland this year. This is an ideal opportunity for people across the country to give those old bikes sitting in the shed a new lease of life by re-discovering the joys of cycling. I would encourage everyone to go along to their nearest event and take part in the various projects that will be running over the next two months. Cycling is a wonderful way to keep fit and healthy and to spend time in our great outdoors.”

In autumn 2016 the Big Bike Revival came to Scotland after two successful years of the project in England. Over 500 events happened from the 19 September to 31 October in every local authority area in Scotland, with over 1,400 bikes revived and given a new lease of life.

Cllr Allan Henderson, Chair of the Highland Council’s Places committee said: “I am grateful to Cycling UK for the funding which has allowed a collaboration between our Climate Change Team and Velocity to host a range of Big Bike Revival events in Inverness and Dingwall. I am encouraged by this initiative to get more people cycling and reduce their carbon footprint.”

Cycling UK’s Head of Development Scotland, Suzanne Forup said: “The Big Bike Revival in Scotland reached communities across the length and breadth of Scotland in 2016, from small rural villages to local communities in our biggest cities. This year we are delighted to partner with The Highland Council and Velocity to help people fall back in love with cycling again.

“For those of us that cycled as a kid, we all remember our bikes and how wonderful a bike ride was. The Big Bike Revival wants to capture that feeling for people who stopped cycling years or decades ago and reignite their love of cycling. Events and activities will help people fix up their cycles, grow their cycling confidence and learn about accessible local routes so they can get from A to B by bike with a smile on their face. We’re pleased to work across Scotland to help people in local communities enjoy the many benefits of cycling, and support them to swap the car when it comes to everyday trips.”

There are hundreds of events and activities planned across the nation. To find Big Bike Revival events in the Highlands, visit www.bigbikerevival.org.uk

 

15 Jun 2017