Pumped for Bike Week
Cork County and City Councils are encouraging everyone to get on their bike this week as the nation celebrates Bike Week 2024.
The week-long celebration of cycling started on 11 May and runs until this coming Sunday, featuring over 340 public events across Cork city and county.
Cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the activities and consider making cycling part of their daily routine as a way of commuting to work, to school or for leisure activities.
As part of this year’s Bike Week, 39 public cycling events, including leisure cycles, come and try sessions, bike maintenance workshops, online workshops, competitions, and youth group and community events are set to take place throughout Cork city. Events in the city include the Bike Week Gallery Cycle Tour; the Bike Week Cycle to Great Island and Cobh; Parks Greenways and Quiteways of Cork City; the Family Nature Cycle; the Rainbow Cycle; and the Bikers Big Bike Week BBQ.
James Kirby, Sports Development Officer from Cork Sports Partnership said: “Each year, Bike Week Cork continues to grow with an ever-increasing variety of events to suit different cycling abilities & interests.”
In Cork county, 92 Cork schools have signed up to host a Bike Week event this year, representing a 50% increase on the 2023 figure.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said: “Bike Week is an opportunity for Cork County Council, together with Cork Sports Partnership, to highlight and promote the many benefits of cycling.
“A special Bike Week school’s webinar will promote cycle safety to over 2,000 school children and cycle challenges have been organised in several schools to encourage cycling to school during the week,” added the mayor.
Highlighting the Cycle Bus initiative in Skibbereen, Cork County Council is working with Cycle Sense, five local primary schools and local volunteers to organise a ‘Mega Skibbereen Cycle Bus’.
Mayor O’Flynn continued: “While in Carrigtwohill, employees at the Business and Technology Park and local primary school students attending after school at Mary Geary’s Childcare will take to their bikes.
“Whether you are a new, occasional cyclist or experienced cyclist, I encourage you to take part in this year’s programme. Bike Week is the perfect opportunity to get on a bike, get active and have fun.”
James Kirby, Cork Sports Partnership added: “Bike Week 2024 is shaping up to be county Cork’s largest celebration of cycling.
“The programme includes something for everyone with leisure cycles, come and try sessions, bike maintenance workshops, online workshops and resources, challenges, competitions, and scenic cycles alongside events to be held within schools, workplaces, disability services, youth groups and across communities.”
According to figures provided by Cork County Council, in Metropolitan Cork, 25% of all residents cycle regularly, with 18% cycling at least once a week. This equates to 7 million cycling trips annually and adds up to 43.4 million kilometres, the stats show. A central benefit of more people cycling, according to a council spokesperson, is the contribution to mitigating the climate crisis.
For details of all Bike Week events taking place in Cork County this year, visit corkbikeweek.ie.