Get pedalling for the World's Biggest Bike Ride
- Anyone can take part, solo or in a group. Distance doesn’t matter – it’s all about getting on your bike, giving it a go and having fun
- Children’s TV legend and cycling artist Timmy Mallett and former pro cyclist and commentator Matt Stephens are among those lending their support
- Event supported by Evans Cycles, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary and calling on cyclists to ride across Blackfriars Bridge in London to increase cycling’s model share to 1940s levels
- Lots of great prizes to be won, plus free and discounted hire from bike-sharing provider Nextbike.
On Sunday 30 May, Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, wants as many people as possible to take part in the World’s Biggest Bike Ride. Supported by Evans Cycles, the event launches Bike Week, the annual celebration of cycling.
In its first year in 2020, the World’s Biggest Bike Ride saw thousands of people all across the nation log their rides, and this year’s event is set to be even bigger and better. To be part of it, all you have to do is pledge to ride at www.cyclinguk.org/bikeweek/pledge-to-ride and then get out on your bike, either solo or in a group (while following the latest coronavirus restrictions). It doesn’t matter where or how far you go: just have fun and share your ride on social media with the hashtags #WBBR2021 and #BikeWeekUK.
2021 marks the centenary year of Evans Cycles. In order to mark 100 years on the UK high street, the leading bike retailer is attempting to recreate cycling's modal share during its peak in 1949: estimated at a whopping 37% (more than that in the Netherlands today). Evans Cycles is calling all those in the London area taking part in the World’s Biggest Bike Ride to cycle over Blackfriars Bridge between 11am and 1pm. Using Google's Artificial Intelligence algorithm, a video camera will count passing riders and traffic. All those who ride through will also be treated to a free barista coffee and a birthday cupcake at its pop-up on the south side of the bridge.
Cyclists who pledge to ride on the World’s Biggest Bike Ride and throughout Bike Week can win lots of great prizes, including cycle clothing vouchers, a junior hybrid bike and a bicycle pressure washer bundle. Nextbike, the world’s most extensive bike-sharing provider, is also offering discounted monthly memberships and free 60-minute vouchers to those who pledge to ride, so even if you don't own a bike you can still take part.
Sarah Mitchell, chief executive of Cycling UK, said: “Over the past year we have really seen the importance of staying active and getting outside on our wellbeing, both physical and mental. That’s the message we are focusing on with this year’s Bike Week, and the World’s Biggest Bike Ride is a celebration of the joy and benefits of cycling that anyone can join in. We estimate that one in three people in the UK either owns or has access to a bike – that’s about 25 million people. We want as many of them as possible to pledge to ride on one amazing day to show what cycling can do for all of us.”
Timmy Mallett, children’s TV icon and a keen cyclist and artist, is no stranger to big bike rides, having undertaken an epic journey from his home in Berkshire to northern Spain: “I’m delighted to be supporting Cycling UK, the World’s Biggest Bike Ride and Bike Week 2021,” he said. “I cycled alone from home 2,750 miles on the Camino de Santiago, as described in my new book, Utterly Brilliant! My Life’s Journey. I am inspired by my brother Martin, who, with Down’s syndrome and language and learning difficulties, always knew how to make the most of every day. Cycling is brilliant inspiration for me and my paintings and it’s great for bringing a smile to my face!”
Matt Stephens, cycling commentator and former racer, commented: “"I'm excited to be part of the World's Biggest Bike Ride and help celebrate the joy of cycling. It doesn't matter who you are, how old you are or how fit you are, riding a bike is a great way to get active, get outdoors and feel amazing. I hope as many people as possible, all across the nation, will join me in logging their rides and getting Bike Week off to a flying start."
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, the annual celebration of cycling, runs from 30 May to 5 June 2021 with the theme of health and wellbeing. www.bikeweek.org.uk
- Evans Cycles, the UK's leading specialist bike shop, is marking 100 years on the British high street. In 1921, FW Evans opened a small shop on Kennington Road in London. As a one-time editor of Cycling (now known as Cycling Weekly) and author of a pamphlet extolling the benefits of a new 'lightweight' bicycle, Evans focused on using innovative design to open up cycling to the masses. Evans Cycles now has over 50 physical stores across the country. Its 1,000+ employees and 250+ fully qualified mechanics share a common goal in helping Britain’s cyclists ‘Enjoy the Ride’. www.evanscycles.com
- Nextbike is the world's most extensive bike sharing provider with more than 200 cities across 26 countries in 4 continents. Providing cutting edge technology on its bikes, Nextbike enables a user friendly service that supports cities in creating sustainable and integrated travel solutions. www.nextbike.co.uk
- Timmy Mallett’s book, Utterly Brilliant! My Life’s Journey, is out now in paperback published by SPCK, priced £9.99. It tells the story of Timmy’s career and life to date, alongside the narrative of a physical challenge which Timmy describes as ‘the biggest thing I have ever done’: a 3,500km cycle ride from his home in Berkshire to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. spckpublishing.co.uk
Press contact information
For more information, please contact the national Cycling UK press office. Due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the main press office number is not being monitored. If you would like to speak to a member of the press office between 0900 and 1700 please call Rob Kingston on 07880 424 912 or email publicity@cyclinguk.org. Out of hours, call 07786 320 713.
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