Get Ready for a summer of Cycling in Lancashire

British Cycling, along with a partnership of organisations across the county, has scheduled an exciting summer programme of cycling in Lancashire. 

Part of a national campaign to get more people cycling for fun and fitness, Sky Ride Local offers a fantastic range of free guided bike rides in Lancashire taking place throughout the summer months. Guided by friendly British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic local routes and pitched at three different levels, there’s something for everyone. 

Thanks to investment from British Cycling, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council, the partnership will contribute to the county’s wider health policy by offering more opportunities to be physically active; while encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy more of Lancashire by bike.

Sky Ride Local has run successfully since 2010 in Preston, South Ribble, Chorley, Blackpool and Blackburn, with thousands of people of all ages and abilities taking part in hundreds of Sky Rides. This summer, the programme is being broadened out across the whole county, giving many more people a chance to take part in the free guided bike rides. One hundred free Sky Ride Locals will be running over the summer months, including new locations spanning all 14 Lancashire local authority areas. 

The rides get started this Sunday with three routes to choose from, starting in Blackburn’s Witton Park, Clitheroe Train Station, and Astley Park in Chorley for a special Picnic in the Park ride.

County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:
"Lancashire is already experiencing a real boom in the numbers of the people cycling – they are discovering the benefits it can have for their mental and physical health, as well as convenience for regular short journeys.

"We've made real progress in improving cycling facilities in recent years and this is due to continue with significant investment to improve on and off-road routes in the near future. The Sky Rides are a great way for everyone to experience cycling in Lancashire."

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “This is a fantastic way to encourage everybody, no matter what their fitness level, to get out on their bikes.

“Cycling is a key priority to help reduce congestion on our borough’s roads and encourage people to take part in active travel.

“Cycling in our Borough has been given a real boost recently with the announcement that we are set to start work to create the Weavers Wheel strategic cycle network. This will help not only make cycling fun and accessible to all, but provide us with a fantastic tourist attraction that will truly put us on the map.

“We are also very proud to have a dedicated Cycle Centre at Witton Country Park where people of all ages and abilities can borrow bikes free of charge to cycle around the park. The  Cycle Centre is also home to the Witton Park Community Cycle Club which has recently been affiliated to British Cycling and is attracting people from all over the county and providing a real boost for our area.”

Stewart Kellett, British Cycling’s Director of Recreation and Partnerships, said:
‘What better way to get some exercise, get outdoors and see your area in a new way than to join some of the Sky Ride Local bike rides taking place in and around Lancashire this summer.

‘The rides begin on Sunday 5th July, so there’s no time like the present to get your bike out. Whether you want to build your cycling confidence or already comfortable on a bike and looking for a challenge, now’s the time to register your free place on a Sky Ride Local bike ride in Lancashire.’

As well as Sky Ride Local bike rides; there are plenty of other ways to get on your bike this summer in Lancashire. British Cycling’s Breeze programme is the biggest initiative ever to get more women into riding bikes for fun. A team of Breeze Champions are trained to organise friendly, social bike rides throughout the county and inspire local women to get involved.

While Ride Social is Britain’s biggest social network for cyclists, offering more confident cyclists a friendly platform to join bike rides organised by like-minded cyclists in Lancashire, or creates rides of their own.

For more information on how to get cycling in Lancashire visit cyclelancashire.com

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Lynn Gallagher – Marketing and Communications Executive, British Cycling
07715 0800 112

About British Cycling
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling as recognised by the UCI – the international federation for the sport. Based in Manchester at the National Cycling Centre, British Cycling works across all levels and six disciplines of the sport (BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway), from providing the support and encouragement people need to get riding their bikes for the first time, to being home to the hugely successful Great Britain Cycling Team. Continued success at the highest level is inspiring a boom in participation across the nation. There have never been more opportunities to ride a bike, be it for fun or sport, and British Cycling is at the heart of this growth. For more information, visit britishcycling.org.uk.

About Sky Ride Local
Sky Ride Locals are free, local bike rides guided by friendly British Cycling trained Ride Leaders along scenic planned routes. With different levels, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re building your confidence or already comfortable on a bike and looking for a challenge. For more information, visit goskyride.com. all year round