BELFAST city centre is set to go traffic free for the third Ciclovia Belfast. The fun, free, traffic-free cycle route will be open to everyone, of all ages and abilities, on Sunday September 24 from 09.3-12.30. All forms of non-powered vehicles are welcome – from balance bikes, trikes and scooters to unicycles and tandems.
There will be lots of sporting and creative activities at the two hubs, located at Botanic Gardens and Belfast City Hall, as well as along the route itself, which runs from Botanic Avenue, Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Road, Bedford Street and Donegall Square West.
Ciclovia is a Spanish term meaning cycle freeway. A key feature is the closing of a section of streets to allow cyclists to cycle a traffic-free route. It has its roots in Bogota, Columbia, where since 1974 a Ciclovia occurs every Sunday. It is now an international phenomenon and many cities around the world are staging their own version.
Ciclovia Belfast's core aim is to promote community cohesion and mental and physical wellbeing. Belfast led the way in the UK and Ireland with it's inaugural event in 2015 and this year organisers have planned an even bigger celebration.
Along the route there will be music form the Ulster Youth Orchestra, Sing for Life community choir, clowns and buskers. Events include IFA football skills, bowls, athletics, netball, squash, a climbing wall, giant games, hip-hop dance crew, bike obstacles courses, bike repair workshops, bike training, bling your bike workshops and a 40 foot road haulage truck which aims to educate drivers and cyclists on safety awareness.
:: The event is free for everyone to take part in and there is no registration. The official start point is 10am at the College Park East entrance to Botanic Gardens, but participants can start from wherever they wish on the route. For further information visit cicloviabelfast.com
