Dumfries residents are being challenged to get on their bikes to run everyday errands for the next few weeks – with a chance to win prizes for those who manage to complete eight before the end of June. Well over a hundred shops, cafes, businesses and organisations have signed up to the scheme which its organisers hope will ease congestion and parking woes in the town and also promote local businesses as well as encouraging people to cycle.
Funded by the Cycling Scotland Cycle Friendly Community Fund, campaign group Cycling Dumfries will launch their Bike Message Challenge next week to run from 23rd May to the end of June. They will be distributing challenge cards to competitors in Dumfries who can collect up to eight different stickers across the town in order to complete the challenge and be able to enter a prize draw. Stickers are awarded to anyone who arrives by bike to a participating business or organisation, which will be identified by door stickers or on a map online. The group had initially hoped to sign up a few dozen businesses but have been overwhelmed by the positive reaction from local retailers and other organisations, large and small.
Organise Rhian Davies said, “I’ve been absolutely delighted at the positive response from most of the places I’ve asked – not to mention the amazing range of shops that I didn’t even know existed. It’s restored my faith in the future of Dumfries. I hope that the people taking part take the opportunity to discover the wonderful shops and cafes we have right on our doorstep in the heart of the town.
Campaign co-ordinator Sally Hinchcliffe said, “We’ve got banks, shops, cafes, hairdressers, libraries, museums – even a dentist – on board so no matter what you need to do, you can turn your routine errands into an adventure by picking up one of our challenge cards from any participating outlet and collecting your stamps. And when the challenge is over we hope at least some people will have discovered how easy it is to get into town by bike – and you’ll never need to hunt for a parking space again.
Cycling Dumfries campaigns to improve conditions for anyone who wants to cycle in and around Dumfries – more information http://cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com
More details about the Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Communities Fund can be found here http://www.cyclingscotland.org/our-projects/award-schemes/cycle-friendly-community-project/the-cycle-friendly-and-sustainable-communities-fund
