A NUMBER of events are taking place on the Southside next week to mark National Bike Week.
The annual event returns to Dublin from Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, 19.
There are a wide range of events taking place throughout the capital over the eight days to celebrate and promote all that is great about cycling.
In Cabinteely Park the Pedal in the Park takes place on Sunday, June 12 while a 1916 Commemorative Cycle from the Pearse Museum in St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham takes place on the same day.
Bike Fest will be in Eamon Ceannt Park in Crumlin on Sunday, June 19 while Dublin City’s Council’s Bike Week Safe Cycle takes place on June 15.
All events are organised by local authorities, community initiatives and cycling groups throughout Dublin. For a full list of events and to join in a cycling adventure log onto www.bikeweek.ie.
Bike Week not only promotes the leisure and fun aspects of cycling as a family or with friends, and to sightsee, it also highlights why it is important to choose cycling as a means to commute to work, to do the crèche or school run or to run errands.
Cycling is environmentally friendly, as it cuts congestion and has zero emissions, and it is also much lower in cost than travelling by public transport or a car. It is estimated that if you spend as little as €1.20 daily on travel (bus fare, Luas fare or petrol) you can save €200 a year by switching to a bike.
Commuting by bike to work, college, school or just to go to the shops, is also a much faster way to travel.
SmarterTravel.ie estimates that approximately 400,000 people in Ireland travel four kilometres or less to work or school or college by car every day - distances that could easily be cycled.
Cycling is the fastest mode of transport for journeys of six kilometres or less in urban areas and is also a great solution to beating traffic congestion in our towns and cities.
Cycling as an everyday pursuit is a healthy way to travel too and it has many physical benefits. Studies have shown that cycling is one of the most efficient ways to lose weight.
And, cyclists who cycle regularly are seen to be on the same fitness level to those 10 years younger. Also, three hours of cycling per week can reduce the risk of heart disease by 50 per cent. There are also mental health benefits derived from cycling.
Bike Week is a fun-filled family event, as well as catering for cycling enthusiasts.