National Bike Week, which takes place annually, returns to Mayo this summer from Saturday, 10th June to Sunday, 18th June. Enjoy eight days on two wheels celebrating and promoting all that is great about cycling. There are a wide range of events taking place throughout Mayo including:

Family Cycles in Achill, Ballina, Ballycastle, Ballintubber, Lecanvey and Mulranny, School / Public Lunchtime Cycles in 7 locations across the county, Sofa2Saddle beginner cycling programmes in Ballina, Castlebar and Westport, cycle skills workshops in Ballina, Kilkelly, and Kilmovee. A novel "Bring your Bike to Mass" event, organised by Westport eco congregation,also takes place on Sunday 18th June in Westport while also on the 18th Ballinrobe Youth Mental Health Group are organising a Positive Mental Health Cycle.

An Taisce Green Schools who are also members of the Mayo Bike Week steering committee are encouraging students in primary schools across the county to Cycle to School on Wednesday 14th June.

All of the events are organised by Mayo Sports Partnership / Bike Week Steering Committee members including Mayo County Council, An Taisce Green Schools, Smarter Travel, community councils and cycling groups from throughout Mayo.

For a full list of events and to join in a cycling adventure this June, log onto http://www.bikeweek.ie/events-results?field_countyvalue=mayo&tid=All&field_event_suitablevalue=All

Bike Week not only promotes the leisure and fun aspects of cycling as a family, with friends, to sightsee...it also highlights why it is important to choose cycling as a means to commute to work, to do the crèche or school run or to run errands. by public transport or a car

Commuting by bike to work, college, school or just to go to the shops, is a much faster way to travel.

Cycling as an everyday pursuit is a healthy way to travel too and it has many physical benefits. Studies have shown that cycling is one of the most efficient ways to lose weight. And, cyclists who cycle regularly are seen to be on the same fitness level to those ten years younger. Also, three hours of cycling per week can reduce the risk of heart disease by 50%! There are also mental health benefits derived from cycling.

Demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, Bike Week is coordinated at a national level by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. For more information, please visit www.bikeweek.ie, follow Bike Week on Twitter @BikeWeekie or on Instagram @BikeWeekie or like Bike Week on Facebook www.facebook.com/bikeweekie.