Mayo primary school pupils mark National Bike Week

Pupils of St. Patrick's National School and Gaelscoil Raifteírí marked National Bike Week by cycling around Castlebar.

They were joined by Cathal Brady, Mayo Sports Partnership, in a very successful venture.

The event was captured on video by Alison Laredo.

National Bike Week continues in Mayo until Sunday next, May 22.

Mayo Sports Partnership in conjunction with the local Bike Week Steering Committee invites the public to ‘Click into Gear’ and participate in some of the 25 events taking place throughout Mayo.

They include family cycles in Kilmovee, Westport and Ballina, Learn to Cycle programmes involving children with a disability, a Balance Bike Blitz for pre-schoolers in Ballinrobe, and much more.

The chairman of Mayo Sports Partnership, Councillor Michael Loftus, has encouraged everyone of all ages and abilities to take part.

He said: “We are delighted to see schools and communities throughout the county get in behind this worthwhile campaign, which has been in operation since 2010.

Hopefully the weather will be kind and we will all be able to get up on our bikes.”

All of the events are organised locally by community groups/clubs and are coordinated by Mayo Sports Partnership/Bike Week Steering Committee members, including Mayo County Council Road Safety and Smarter Travel Offices, An Taisce Green Schools, gardaí, community councils and cycling groups from throughout Mayo.

For a full list of events see https:// www.bikeweek.ie or https://www.mayo.ie/sports-partnership/news.

In addition to the many events taking place across the county during the week the overall prize of a bike is up for grabs.

Simply post a photo on social media and tag Mayo Sports Partnership using the hashtag #bikeweekmayo.

The benefits to be gained from cycling are immense. They include improved health, reduced traffic congestion, better air quality, improved accessibility to transport, and reduced costs.

Cycling is a fantastic way to get from A to B, to enjoy the countryside or just to get some air and exercise.

Bike Week is coordinated at a national level by the Department of Transport.

If posting or tweeting about events or activities during Bike Week, please use the hashtags #bikeweek2022 #clickintogear.

Happy cycling!