Sky Ride is back! Get on your bike this summer
Following on from the success of the last five years, this summer sees the return of Sky Ride – a national campaign from British Cycling, Sky, Sport England and our local authority partners encouraging thousands of people of all ages and abilities to get on a bike and discover the fun, freedom and health benefits cycling can offer.
Sky Ride big bike events are traffic-free, mass participation cycling events taking place in 15 towns and cities across the UK. In what is shaping out to be an exciting summer of cycling with the Tour de France, Commonwealth Games and Tour of Britain all taking place in the UK there’s never been a better time to get inspired to get on a bike.
Sky Ride big bike events take over a town or city centre allowing thousands of cyclists to ride together with their friends and family on iconic traffic-free routes – giving riders a chance to see their city as never before.
The first Sky Ride bike events will begin in Plymouth on Sunday 25 May with more events following on throughout the summer:
- Plymouth - 25th May
- Bolton - 1st June
- Leeds - 15th June
- Southampton - 29th June
- Newcastle - 2nd August
- Manchester - 3rd August
- Sheffield - 10th August
- Hull - 17th August
- Leicester - 24th August
- Ipswich - 31st August
- Liverpool - 7th September
- York - 14th September
- Coventry - 21st September
- Bradford - 28th September
- Birmingham - TBC
Sky Ride ambassador Sir Chris Hoy said:
“We want more people to enjoy riding a bike – that’s why Sky and British Cycling have teamed up to bring you Sky Ride. We’ve made it easier than ever to get out on your bike and spend quality time with your family and friends. Sky Rides close towns and cities for big bike events so you can ride safely on traffic-free streets, with a huge festival atmosphere and loads to do both on and off the bike. They are great fun and a great way to get on your bike.”
British Cycling and Sky are also working together to deliver Sky Ride Local guided rides which are a series of free small, weekly community bikes rides that take place every Sunday and give participants the chance to get out and explore their local area in over one hundred locations as well as Breeze and Ride Social rides throughout the country.
British Cycling’s director of Recreation and Partnerships, Stewart Kellett, added:
“We are delighted to once again bring traffic-free cycling to so many cities across the country with Sky Ride. 2014 promises to see even better and more exciting events, a real festival atmosphere and we want to see more people than ever riding their bikes on streets. In addition, we have 2,500 Sky Ride Local rides across the country, plus the women’s Breeze network and our buddy-based Ride Social programme, meaning we are able to provide opportunities to keep cycling whatever your ability, confidence and experience. With the Tour de France and Tour of Britain on the horizon and the Commonwealth Games, too, it’s a great time to be involved with cycling in Britain and we are really excited to help people make the most of their bike this summer.”
Tricia Thompson Sky’s Director of Cycling said:
“Cycling in the UK has transformed in the last few years with more than a million more Brits now cycling regularly as a result of Sky’s partnership with British Cycling. I’m thrilled Sky Ride has returned for another year and that so many people across the UK will get the chance to be able to enjoy cycling through their town or city on traffic-free streets. Together with British Cycling we want to inspire people to get out on their bikes and enjoy cycling, whether for a sport, a hobby or as a way to get fit.”
