|
National Bike Week in Reading was a tremendous success, thanks to the hundreds of people who took part.
The week (June 14-22) was packed with events, competitions, bike safety and maintenance sessions, time trials and cycle tasters for people of all ages.
Reading Borough Council, the CTC Cycle Champions project and their partners were able to offer people in Reading as many as thirty events to get involved in during the week.
Reading Cycling Club, Reading Cycle Campaign, Palmer Park Velo Club, GreenPark, Arlington Business Park, Cycle Zone, Peter Brett Associates, the Holiday Inn and the Oracle Corporation were among the many involved in supporting or organising Bike Week activities.
One of the most popular events was a family competition, sponsored by Oracle Corporation who donated a £500 family voucher for Center Parcs.
156 cycling enthusiasts collected small computers for their bikes for the competition, so they could track how many minutes they cycled during Bike Week.
A lively crowd of over 40 people turned up for the family cycle ride at Palmer Park on Sunday, June 22, including 11 families who had entered the competition.
These 11 families had cycled an impressive total of 256 hours during Bike Week and collectively burned 115,200 calories by cycling more than 4,915km.
The Redzepi family from Theale, Kathleen, Mursel and children Emily, 14, and Bekim, 11, finished in first place and won a £500 voucher for Center Parcs, cycling a staggering total of 46.5 hours during the week.
Mrs Redzepi said: "It was lot of hard work, but we've always been quite active and rise to a challenge. Once during the week my husband rode from Theale to Windsor Great Park and back again, we met him there and he even cycled around the park with us.
"Almost every day during Bike Week, we cycled around local villages in West Berkshire. There was some great countryside, there was fresh air and freedom and places we'd never come across before. The Center Parcs vouchers were a fantastic prize and we will be sure to organise a weekend away soon."
Second place was the Kiedysko family, who were presented with a Nokia mobile phone and a goodie bag for their efforts of cycling 22.5 hours during the week.
In rush hour, the average petrol car produces 339g per km of carbon emissions - the 11 families alone saved a production of 1,666kg of carbon emissions during the week by riding their bikes instead of using their cars.
Helen Biggerstaff, CTC Cycle Champions Officer, said: "Participation throughout the week was beyond all our expectations. It just goes to show how many people can be encouraged to get on their bike and be more active through help and support.
"The success this year was down to all the partners coming together with one shared vision. There are plenty of opportunities for people to continue cycling now Bike Week has finished through the clubs, organisations and CTC Cycling Champions' Project. We encourage people to get in touch with the Sport Reading team if they would like to find out how."
Other successful cycling sessions during the week included Bike to Work led rides by Reading Cycle Campaign followed by cycle breakfasts, which were held to support employees at Reading's various business parks to get on their bikes, as well as cycle information stalls across the town.
Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Culture and Sport, said: "I'd like to thank Council staff for their hard work and also the various cycling groups and volunteers who have helped make cycling week such a success this year.
"With the costs of motoring getting ever higher now is the perfect time to think about using the bike to get about. Not only can you save money but it will also help you to stay healthy and feel better." |
