Bike Week 2022: less than one month!
Cycling UK, the UK’s cycling charity, is gearing up for this year’s launch of Bike Week in local areas across the UK. This annual celebration has been taking place since 1923 and this year will run from 6-12 June.
Bike Week 2022 will focus on how cycling can positively impact local communities by improving people’s health and environmental footprint while saving money. Families, friends, neighbours and co-workers are encouraged to unite to imagine how their local area could be improved if people cycled more.
This year, Cycling UK will be raising money to help transform cycling in communities across the UK. Throughout Bike Week, cyclists can share their rides on social media using the hashtag #BikeWeekUK for a chance to win amazing prizes.
Whether people choose to ride on or off road, are looking for an epic adventure or a family-friendly afternoon, Cycling UK has put together details of amazing routes all over the country for Bike Week participants to try. From the Cathedrals Cycle Route challenge to West Kernow Way, there’s a route in every local area to suit every cycling ability.
Many people discovered or rediscovered cycling over the last few years, with some dusting off that old bike sitting in the shed, and it’s hoped that these people will join in. Through inspiring people to cycle in their local area, Cycling UK hopes Bike Week will encourage people to cycle more often.
Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK’s chief executive, commented:
“As we launch Bike Week 2022 for its 99th year, we want communities to come together to celebrate the benefits of cycling. We estimate that if all cycle journeys increased from the current level of 2% to 25% by 2050, the collective benefit would be £248bn. This Bike Week we hope to see people saving money and the planet, feeling healthier and celebrating the joy of cycling together.
We hope people enjoy inclusive and friendly Bike Week events in their local area, and in turn start cycling more regularly.”
To organise an event or to register for an existing event in a local area, details can be found at cyclinguk.org/bikeweek/register-event
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Cycling UK, the UK’s cycling charity, imagines a world where the streets are free of congestion and the air is clean to breathe, where parents encourage their children to cycle to school and everyone shares the exhilaration of being in the saddle. For more than 140 years, we’ve been making our streets safer, opening up new traffic free routes and inspiring more people to cycle more often. www.cyclinguk.org
- Bike Week, delivered by Cycling UK and supported in Scotland by Cycling Scotland, has been celebrating the benefits of cycling since 1923. Bike Week 2022 has the theme of local communities coming together to imagine how their local area could be improved if everyone used their bikes more. See more at www.bikeweek.org.uk
- Research commissioned by Cycling UK found that if cycle use increased from less than 2% of all journeys (current levels) to 10% by 2025, and 25% by 2050 (as recommended by the Parliamentary Cycling Group’s ‘Get Britain Cycling’ report), the cumulative benefits would be worth £248bn between 2015 and 2050 for England – yielding annual benefits in 2050 worth £42bn in today’s money. This calculation even takes into account the fact that long-term benefits are worth less than those achieved in the shorter term. These economic benefits are generated chiefly through a physically fitter population, but also in terms of reduced congestion and absenteeism, improved air quality and other areas.
A selection of images, showing Bike Week events and activities can be found at www.skyfish.com/p/cyclinguk/2060196
Press contact information
For more information, please contact the national Cycling UK press office. Due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus outbreak, currently the main press office number (01483 238 315) is not being monitored. If you would like to speak to a member of the press office during working hours (0900-1700) please email publicity@cyclinguk.org. Out of hours, call 07786 320 713.
