Mayo Communities roll out National Bike Week with Numerous Events

Would you like to take advantage of the longer brighter days by getting out on your bike? A challenge is going out to all families to dust off their bikes and trikes for a bumper week of cycling activity during National Bike Week 2013 (Please see list of events below which we are aware of at this moment and time).

Over 20 different events are scheduled to take place in Mayo from the 15th - 23rd June beginning on Sunday 16th June with a Group and Family Cycle in Tourmakeady starting at 3pm from the community centre. A full listing of the events can be seen by logging on to www.bikeweek.ie.

"Cycling really has caught on as a form of recreational physical activity for all in the last few years. Last year over 600 people participated in 16 events and we hope to further build on that in 2013" says Charlie Lambert Sports Co-ordinator Mayo Sports Partnership.

A whole host of other events are due to take place throughout the county with Smart Travel Castlebar organising a free bike check in Castlebar on Monday 17 June from 1-2pm. If you have not used your bike in a while and want to get it checked over for FREE before you get cycling this is the ideal opportunity. Please contact Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Office Mayo Co Council 087 7870055 ngibbons@MayoCoCo.ie or Thelma Birrane, Health Promotion Officer, HSE, 094 9042589 thelma.birrane@hse.ie for further details of this and other Smart Travel events.

In speaking on Bike Week Thelma Birrane, Health Promotion Officer, HSE West says, "The main focus of Bike Week is to encourage family members to take up cycling as a regular activity in their local community and to raise the profile of cycling as a healthy and fun mode of transport and physical activity."

Wednesday is also national "Cycle to Work"(COW) day and Green Schools Travel Officer with An Taisce Eva Gannon is encouraging all to get on their bikes and make an effort to cycle to school or work.

A Family Bike Fun Day is scheduled to take part in the Bog Gate Field, Golf Course Rd, Westport ( Beside Gaelscoil na Cruachie) at 3pm on Friday 21st as part of the celebrations for the opening of the Northern section of the Westport Town Greenway. More family and group cycles are also timetabled during the week taking place in Ballina, Currane Achill and Kilmovee on the 22nd June with events taking place in Ardagh, Ballinrobe and Westport on Sunday 23rd June.

Minister of State for Transport, Tourism and Sport Michael Ring whose department has allocated €5,000 towards Bike Week in Mayo has expressed his support for all communities who are organising these fantastic array of events.

" My department is delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile activity which benefits everybody and I would encourage everybody to get out there and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mayo" commented Minister Ring

Bike Week culminates in a showcase event titled "Bike Fest" which takes place at Lough Lannagh Castlebar on Sunday 23rd June 2.15pm - 4.30pm. A free event families, individuals etc are invited to participate in a host of events including free bike / helmet check by local bike shops, family treasure hunt, Bike Buddy (cycle with an experienced cyclist), Lookalikes on Bikes (dress like your idol) and Slow Bicycle / Obstacle Courses. Indeed as people / families will be encouraged to participate in the Roundabout Lookalikes on Bike Challenge at 4pm on the day "All Affairs" costume hire Moneen, Castlebar Tel: 094 9044570 Mobile: 086 8360303 Email: allaffairshire@gmail.com have come on board with a 10% reduction on all items hired for the event. Vouchers to the value of €50 for best fancy dress along with an overall prize fund to the value of €500 will be on offer throughout the event. People are asked to note that the Car Park at Lough Lannagh will be closed to traffic from 12.30 - 4.30 on the day however car parks at Aldi and Lough Lannagh will be available.

A full and detailed listing of all events can be found on the Mayo Sports Partnership website at www.mayosports.ie/news.  For further information contact the Partnerships Office at 094-9047025

Bike Week 2013 EVENTS