Taking place from 16th to 24th June, Bike Week 2007 is billed as ‘the UK’s annual celebration of cycling’. Launched in 1923 by cycling campaigners, National Bike Week is scheduled to include more than 1500 individual events and wants more. Bike Week is the UK’s only nationwide co-ordinated annual promotion of all kinds of cycling events and is expected to attract some 250,000 participants, but in recent years has tended to cater for novice, occasional and lapsed cyclists. This year, Bike Week HQ is calling on organisers of all cycling events scheduled for 16-24 June including those likely to appeal to enthusiast participants to promote them as part of Bike Week.

Explained Bike Week UK’s Nick Harvey: ‘Promoting cycling events and rides that offer a chance to have fun, get fit and feel free is this year’s tag, but the underlying message remains much the same – encouraging more people to cycle more often makes sense for all cyclists, society in general and the long term sustainability of our environment.’

‘In recent years, government funding and the significantly increased involvement of local authorities’ continued Harvey, ‘has understandably resulted in greater emphasis on accessible events that appeal to newcomers, families and returning cyclists. Naturally, it should include events for enthusiasts too. I urge organisers to join in this year’s celebration and promote their events on the Bike Week website.’

Events will be promoted free at www.bikeweek.org.uk . Advantages for registered Bike Week event organisers include free public liability insurance (excluding racing) up to £10M and free promotional materials including a prize draw open to all participants.
Bike Week 2007 is co-ordinated UK-wide for organisations including British Cycling, CTC, Cycle Campaign Network, Cycling Time Trials, London Cycling Campaign and Sustrans.