National Bike Week 2014 in Mayo 14 June - 22 June

Mayo to host a wide range of events for National Bike Week

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 and people of all ages to dust off their bikes and trikes for a bumper week of cycling activity during National Bike Week 2014 (Please see attached list of events which we are aware of at this moment and time).

Over 15 different events are scheduled to take place in Mayo from Saturday 14^th - Sunday 22nd June beginning on the Saturday with a Group Cycle in Belmullet as part of the Erris Beo festival and a Family Day out in Lacken with adult group cycle, children cycle races etc. Other events include a Cycle on the Great Western Greenway on Sunday 15^th from Achill Sound and a Family Cycle at Belleek Woods in Ballina on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 7pm. A Ballinrobe history tour on bikes will take place on Friday 20^th at 7.30pm from Abbey St Ballinrobe with a number of other initiatives also planned by Westport Smarter Travel.

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 this fantastic array of events.

This year the Bike Week Steering Committee comprising representatives from Mayo County Council, Mayo Sports Partnership, An Taisce, Westport Smarter Travel and the Road Safety Authority have decided to place a focus on a number of School Cycle events which are scheduled for Westport, Castlebar, Ballina, Claremorris and Ballyhaunis.

In addition the Bike Week Committee is encouraging the people of Mayo to make a Bike Week pledge. This pledge will be your commitment to cycle during bike week, whether you pledge to cycle to training once a week or that you will cycle to work every day of the week, all pledges are equally important. Everyone is invited to make a pledge and enjoy their own personal cycling challenge.

Pledges should be posted to the Mayo Sports Partnership Facebook page with a Bike Selfie (a picture of you on/or beside your bike not to be taken while cycling). During Bike Week there will be daily prizes i.e. €50 with an overall prize of €100 given out to people that have made the pledge and that are making an effort to cycle as a form of transport.

Selfies can be taken e.g. before you head to the shop / work or while cycling the kids to or from school and the committee is encouraging people to nominate friends to cycle also. Why not be in with a chance to win a prize.

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 Partnership's Office at 094-9047025