The streets were glowing yellow on Sunday as 8,500 people took to their bikes at Sky Ride Leeds, part of a national campaign encouraging people to get on a bike this summer. 

In what is undoubtedly a huge year for cycling in Yorkshire, residents from near and far joined Olympic Champion Joanna Rowsell and Team Sky’s Ian Boswell for a fun day of traffic-free cycling. Ahead of the Tour de France, riders of all ages and abilities lined The Headrow, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to ride along the same stretch of road that the World’s best cyclists will use for the Tour de France Grand Départ on Saturday 5th July. Participants rode around 6.5km traffic-free city centre loop and enjoyed a host of free activities and entertainment throughout the day.

Sky Ride Leeds is part of a national Campaign from British Cycling, Sky, Sport England and Local Authority partners encouraging thousands of people of all ages and abilities to get on bike and discover the fun, freedom and health benefits cycling can offer. Do more than just watch the Tour this summer, give cycling a go at a Sky Ride Big Bike event near you:

Southampton – Sunday 29 June

Newcastle – Saturday 2 August

Manchester – Sunday 3 August

Sheffield – Sunday 10 August

Hull – Sunday 17 August

Leicester – Sunday 24 August

Ipswich – Sunday 31 August

Liverpool – Sunday 7 September

York – Sunday 14 September

Coventry – Sunday 21 September

Bradford – Sunday 28 September

With a traffic-free route to ride at every event, and lots of free things to do both on and off your bike, Sky Ride is a great way to get together with friends and family and see your town or city from a whole new perspective.

And if that’s not enough for you, there are plenty of other ways to get out on your bike locally. Sky Ride Local bike rides are guided by British Cycling trained Ride Leaders, and with three levels to suit all kinds of rider, they’re a brilliant way to see more of your local area on two wheels. Along with Ride Social and Breeze bike rides for women, there are lots of opportunities to keep riding this summer.

For more information about Sky Ride and to sign up a free bike ride near you this summer, visit goskyride.com.