Two Dumfries organisations are joining forces to get the summer cycling season off to sizzling start this weekend with a bike-themed barbecue in Dock Park on Saturday 1st July. Aiming to encourage everyone to consider cycling, they will offer not just easy paced rides on safe routes – but a chance to try a range of cycles that could give people the chance to ride even if they can’t manage a conventional two-wheeler. And for those whose bikes have spent the last few months in the shed, there will be a chance to get them safety checked and back on the road.
Cycle campaigners Cycling Dumfries are joining local social enterprise Buddies for their Big Bike Revival ‘Bikes Barbecue and Blether’ event this Saturday afternoon. Funded by Cycling UK, the event will include a chance to try adaptive cycles such as trikes and also e-bikes, and a ‘Dr Bike’ to give participants own bikes a check over and some basic repairs. Cycling Dumfries will also be running the first of their popular summer rides – a gentle three-mile route along the river and back – the start of a season of eight rides every Saturday throughout the summer.
Cycling Dumfries Convenor Sally Hinchcliffe said, “Our summer rides are always popular with people from all walks of life and we’re very excited to be partnering with a group like Buddies who have enthusiastically embraced cycling in all its forms. We see cycling as giving freedom to anyone but not everyone can ride an ordinary bike – and we could all do with a boost up the hills some days. This is a chance for people who might think cycling is not for them to see what is available to make it a bit more accessible, whether it’s an electric bike, three wheels, or just the chance to ride in company.”
Kirsty McGowan of Buddies said, “A whole new world has opened up to Buddies’ members with cycling; they understand their environment much better and have gained in confidence as a result. Our event on Saturday will show that all could enjoy cycling, including those in wheelchairs and older people who can participate in passive cycling.”
Jeff Frew, Big Bike Revival Development Officer at Cycling UK, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Buddies and Cycling Dumfries to encourage more people to get cycling through the Big Bike Revival. Cycling is the natural choice for short, everyday journeys and with the summer ahead of us it’s a perfect time to get back on the bike. Dumfries has some great cycling routes, so getting from A to B can be quick, easy and fun. Cycling is accessible to people from all walks of life, and events like these showcase how adaptable and versatile a bike can be, so we hope it inspires more people to cycle locally.”
Cycling Dumfries summer rides run every Saturday until 19th August. More details https://cyclingdumfries.wordpress.com/summer-rides/
The Big Bike Revival is supported by Cycling UK, http://www.bigbikerevival.org.uk/
