Sky Ride comes to Leeds

This is a direct cut and paste from the press room of Leeds City Council, for those of you following our conversations and events you’ll know we hosted an event recently #WheelsWheelsWheels event where a group of people with an interest in cycling (at all ages and levels – grass roots, professional, community, and cultural) came together to investigate ways they could get involved in Le Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014. There was a huge appetite for family cycling opportunities so it’s great to see the first of these initiatives being announced.

Leeds city centre will be filled with thousands of people this July as the city hosts a free family-oriented mass-participation Sky Ride for the first time.

As part of a new partnership announced today between Leeds City Council, British Cycling, Sky and West Yorkshire Metro, the city centre will become traffic-free on Sunday 7 July to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get out on bikes and take part in the free event.

Sky Ride Leeds is part of this year’s national campaign by British Cycling and Sky aimed at encouraging everyone to discover the fun and freedom of going out on a bike ride.

Together since 2009 they have encouraged one million more people to cycle regularly (once a month) and supported the sport at the highest level.

Sky Ride will also form part of the one year to go celebrations to 5 July 2014, when Leeds welcomes the world’s largest annual sporting event as the host city of Yorkshire’s Tour de France Grand Départ.

In addition to the mass-participation Sky Ride event, the new partnership will also see a Sky Ride Local programme run in Leeds offering a series of free, fun, guided bike rides around the city, starting in July and running through to the end of September.

Guided by friendly British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic planned routes, the rides are tailored to different ability levels from beginners to experienced riders looking for a challenge.

To encourage women to get on their bikes, women-only rides will also be taking place as part of British Cycling’s national Breeze network. The social aspect of cycling is also catered for as part of the new partnership, with Social Cycling Groups being set up to allow cycling enthusiasts to organise their own rides all-year-round.

The campaign also fits into Leeds’ drive to be the most active big city in the UK, as well as child friendly Leeds, the ambition to make Leeds the best city for children and young people to thrive and look forward to a brighter future.

Team GB cyclist Jason Kenny OBE who won two gold medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games said:

“Cycling is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy, plus its lots of fun too. I’d encourage everyone, of all ages and abilities to get out on their bikes and take part in Sky Ride in Leeds this summer.”

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield said:

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with British Cycling, Sky and Metro, and hope it will encourage and inspire children, families and people of all ages in Leeds to get on bikes and start cycling. Sky Ride events which have been held in other cities have proved hugely popular with thousands of people taking part and a great atmosphere, and I’m sure the event in Leeds in July will be a very special day out not to be missed.

“Cycling has enjoyed a fantastic rise in popularity in recent years and in particular with the inspirational success of Team GB, Team Sky and Sir Bradley Wiggins last year. And with a year to go to the Tour de France coming to Leeds, this Sky Ride event will be an exciting start to an amazing 12 months to come.”

Further details including the route of Sky Ride Leeds will be announced shortly, with more information available at www.goskyride.com including the chance for those wishing to take part to register and book their place.