Hundreds of cyclists – from Lycra-clad speedsters to casual riders carrying their dogs in baskets – have taken to the streets to promote sustainable travel.
More than 200 cyclists gathered at City Hall on Friday morning to take part in this year's Ride on Belfast event.
Groups arriving at city hall for #ROB9
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@ClaireHanna on the back benches as usual. pic.twitter.com/0iZ1l1ADjA
Hosted by Cycul, the aim is to coax commuters out of their cars and demonstrate how simple, safe and stress-free cycling can be.
Ride on Belfast meets each year at Queen’s University at 7.45am for an 8am start, cycling through Belfast city centre and finishing up at Belfast City Hall for a free breakfast.
Anne Madden, communications manager for non-profit organisation Sustrans said: “Ride On Belfast is an annual event but I think this year we’ve seen a bigger turn out than ever.”
“I think more and more people are looking at different ways to get about their city especially if they have concerns about the environment or their health. Cycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly way to get around.”
The initiative proved popular this year with an estimated 200 people participating.
“I saw more cargo bikes than ever, people with children on back seats of bikes and they all looked like they were having a really good time, so it’s a really fun, lively first thing in the morning event," Ms Madden added.
Belfast’s biggest mass cycle commute started back in 2013 in collaboration with NI Greenways. It usually happens on the Friday during Bike Week, the UK’s largest cycling awareness week.
On the official Bike Week website, it says: “We’re setting a series of challenges as part of the Bike Week 100 celebrations, highlighting the benefits more cycling can bring to our health, our finances, our communities and the natural world.”
A message that is echoed by the team at Sustrans.
“From Sustrans perspective, we are a charity promoting everyday cycling so it’s not just about club cycling, you don’t have to wear lycra. We saw people cycling up today with a dog in the basket," Ms Madden said.
Sustrans was also involved with the implementation of the Active Travel Hub located in the Cathedral Gardens. The hub is a two-year pilot project to encourage more people to walk and cycle more often. It offers cost-effective bike repairs, a bike purchase and leasing scheme from Big Loop Bikes, as well as a programme of activities offered by Sustrans.
“People can use their bikes to get about the city for everyday things, shops, leisure, visiting friends. The cost of living has spiralled so much, with the cost of fuel and bills, but getting a bike is such a cheap means of transport for getting around.”
