Pedal power - all set for Bike Week
The National Transport Authority, (NTA) has today announced details of Bike Week 2022 that runs from Saturday, May 14, to Sunday, May 22.
Bike Week is annual celebration, but there’s never been a better year for cycling with a record €289m earmarked by the Government for investment in active travel infrastructure.
There will be over 600 Bike Week events taking place across the country and the programme includes family events, heritage cycles, maintenance workshops, and learn-to-cycle events.
All 31 local authority areas are involved in Bike Week with events being organised jointly through the local authorities and local sports partnerships.
Anne Graham said: “The theme this year is Cycling in the Community, and the engagement we have had around the country with local authorities and LSPs has been really positive. The result is a Bike Week programme that is truly national and that has something for just about everybody.
“From poetry in motion in Laois, to a cycling culture trail in Cork, to bike maintenance workshops in Kilkenny, to school cycling competitions in Galway, the variety and reach of events is fantastic, and I’d encourage everybody to get on their bikes and get involved.”
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, added: "It’s great to see so many activities taking place in every part of the country and I’d like to thank everybody at local level for the work they have put into making Bike Week 2022 a reality.
“Investment in cycling and active travel is at the heart of what I’m trying to do as Minister for Transport.
“Yes, cycling is important in terms of tackling climate change, but there’s more to it than that. Cycling also has a role to play in making our cities, towns and villages easier to get to and easier to get around. It is a key component to design, planning and place making.
“This year alone I allocated to the NTA, €289m to fund local authority walking and cycling infrastructure in every corner of the country.”
He confirmed that projects to be progressed this year include the Clontarf to City Centre route in Dublin, MacCurtain Street in Cork, O’Connell Street in Limerick, the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway, as well as connection of the Waterford Greenway from Bilberry into the City Centre.
“A place that is friendly to cycling is friendly to people and friendly to communities, and that what Bike Week 2022 is all about.”
Among the other headline events this year are:
•Heritage Trails in Cavan
•Spin and Swim in Howth, Dublin
•Coffee Social Cycle for Beginners in Drogheda
•Community Bike Rides in Wexford
•Inclusive Learn To Cycle Event for Children in Clare
•Online Webinar with Olympic Medal Holder in Monaghan
•Bling Your Bike Colouring Competition for Children in Limerick
•Workplace Lunchtime Cycles in Roscommon
•Sun Set Cycles in Sligo
•Cycling Yoga in Dublin
•Family Cycling Treasure Hunt in Tipperary
•Fancy Dress Cycle Parade in Waterford
•Tandem Bike Rides in Westmeath
•Mountain Bike Taster Sessions in Wicklow
For more information and to see what events are taking place in your county, visit www.bikeweek.ie
NTA is encouraging participants to share their Bike Week activities on social media by submitting photos and videos and other materials using #BikeWeekPledge and by tagging their local authority or LSP.
The best entries will be shared on NTA’s social channels and a collage of these will be put up every morning.
TIPPERARY EVENTS
Keep an eye on our website www.tipperarysports.ie and social media for Bike Week events and competitions such as Click into Gear Quiz, Tipperary School’s Bike Week Competition and Bike Week Family Challenge. We have fantastic prizes on offer.