Winchester Bike Week 2008

Cycling is the fastest way to get around Winchester and is far cheaper than driving a car. It's also a great way to keep healthy, so it's no surprise that more and more people are cycling in Winchester - about ten percent more each year.

Bike Week is a national event which, this year, will run from Saturday 14 June to Sunday 22 June.

Winchester cyclists, cycling instructors and Friends of the Earth have organised a full programme of cycling activities and training sessions for all ages and abilities. Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council are supporting the programme. Posters and leaflets giving details of all the events will be displayed at bike shops, information centres, libraries and many other locations.

Once again, the opening event in Winchester will be the popular "Cavalcade" ride around the city centre; starting at The Broadway on Saturday 14 June at 11 am. Anyone riding a roadworthy bike can take part - just turn up on the day. Eye-catching costumes are especially welcome!

Bike Week events are suitable for people who are new to cycling, or returning to cycling after many years. Event organisers include cycling clubs, campaign groups, local authorities and other major employers. Events will take place in a variety of locations including on traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network and off-road where even young children can enjoy cycling safely.

As part of the "Commuter Challenge" in 2007 - a walker, a cyclist and a motorist each set off from Badger Farm, to see who would be the first to reach the Winchester Guildhall. The challenge was also repeated from locations such as St Cross, Harestock and Highcliffe. In each case, the cyclist was the first to reach Winchester Guildhall.

The people running Bike Week 2008 in Winchester are from:

• The local group of CTC, the UK national cyclists' association
• Velo Club Venta, the local cycle racing group
• CycleSure who provide cycling instruction
• Hampshire Cycle Training
• Winchester Friends of the Earth