Cycling UK partners with Linen Quarter BID to support cycling in Belfast

By James Palser

Cycling event on 2 July to launch an exciting new partnership to get more people cycling in Belfast

Cycling UK has partnered with the Linen Quarter BID to support their sustainable transport ambitions and help businesses across the Linen Quarter become cycle-friendly employers.

Businesses in the area can benefit from support to become accredited as Cycle Friendly Employers. Recognised as the benchmark for workplace cycling across European Countries, the accreditation aims to support businesses to enable and encourage their staff to cycle more.

Alongside this Cycling UK is providing cycle training, maintenance sessions through Big Loop Bikes and working with PSNI to register bikes on to the national database, ensuring the owner can be identified if a cycle is unfortunately stolen. The first event will be on 2 July on Linenhall Street and Clarence Street between 11am and 3pm.

James Palser, Cycle Friendly Employer Accreditation manager said “This is a hugely important project, coming at a vital time. As employers start to welcome staff back to the office, we want to ensure that commuters are encouraged to return by cycle. This will have major benefits to air quality, congestion and individuals health. For employers, we are offering the opportunity to become recognised as an accredited cycle friendly employer, this will ensure that active commuters are catered for and enabled to return to by bike.

Chris McCracken, Linen Quarter BID said: “We have an ambitious vision for the Linen Quarter and environmental sustainability is a key part of this. Not only will this commitment protect the ecosystem, it will result in cleaner air which is hugely positive to health and wellbeing.

“Interestingly, a recent consultation revealed over 90% would like to see accommodations and improvements made to cycling infrastructure, suggesting that personal environmental impact is a growing area of concern. This event on the 2 July will help ensure that commuter’s cycles will be in fine fettle, and that they are protected through the bike register scheme”.