Bike Week, the UK's annual 'celebration of cycling', will take place on the 17-25 June 2006. 2,000 local cycling events and rides are expected to attract at least 300,000 participants, most of whom will be new or returning to cycling. Bike Week is the only nationwide promotion of all kinds of free cycling activities for cyclists of all abilities.
This year's Bike Week is promoting 'everyday cycling for health and fitness'. Many fun events will be aimed at novice or lapsed cyclists, including children and young families. Hundreds of Bike2Work rides are being organised by employers and workplace bicycle user groups, helping to reduce the number of unnecessary car journeys made by commuters.
Most Bike Week events are free to enter. Some will raise funds for charities, including Leukaemia Research. Organisers range from local authorities to cycling clubs, National Cycle Network volunteer rangers to campaigning groups. All Bike Week and Bike2Work events and rides are listed at www.bikeweek.org.uk (or telephone 01243 527444).
The first national Bike Week was held in 1923. Last year more than 1,400 events attracted 250,000 cyclists. Bike Week is organised for 16 organisations* that want to encourage 'more people to cycle more often', funded by UK governments (England, London, Scotland and Wales) and sponsored by the cycle industry's Bike Hub.
Further information for potential event organisers, participants and media is available from Nick Harvey, Bike Week & Bike2Work National Co-ordinator, email  nick@bikeweek.org.uk or phone 01243 527444.
Bike Week HQ
10 South Pallant
Chichester
PO19 1SU
Phone: 01243 527444
Email:  HQ@bikeweek.org.uk