Many local events for National Bike Week

ENJOY eight days on two wheels celebrating all that's great about cycling during National Bike Week.

The annual event returns to Mayo this summer, starting on Saturday (June 10) and continuing until Sunday week (June 18).

There are a number of events taking place right throughout the county, including family cycles in Achill, Ballina, Ballycastle, Ballintubber, Lecanvey and Mulranny; school/public lunchtime cycles in seven locations; the Sofa2Saddle beginner cycling programme in Ballina, Castlebar and Westport; cycle skills workshops in Ballina, Kilkelly and Kilmovee; and much more besides.

The novel 'Bring Your Bike to Mass' event, organised by Westport Eco Congregation, will take place on Sunday, June 18, in Westport, the same day that the Ballinrobe Youth Mental Health Group are organising a positive mental health cycle.

Elsewhere, An Taisce Green Schools, who are members of the Mayo Bike Week steering committee, are encouraging students in primary schools across the county to cycle to school on Wednesday next, June 14.

All of the events are organised by Mayo Sports Partnership and the Mayo Bike Week steering committee members, including Mayo County Council, An Taisce Green Schools, Smarter Travel, community councils and cycling groups from throughout Mayo. For a full list of events, see www.bikeweek.ie.

National Bike Week not only promotes the leisure and fun aspects of cycling as a family or with friends, but also highlights why it is important to choose cycling as a means of commuting to work, doing the crèche or school run, or running errands.

Commuting by bike to work, college, school or just to go to the shops is often a much faster way to travel, while cycling as an everyday pursuit is healthy too and 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. Not only that, but three hours of cycling per week can reduce the risk of heart disease by 50%. There are also mental health benefits derived from cycling.

Demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, National Bike Week is coordinated at a national level by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. For more information, see www.bikeweek.ie, follow Bike Week on Twitter or on Instagram, or like Bike Week on Facebook.