British Cycling and HSBC UK have announced that they will be returning to Glasgow and Edinburgh this summer following the success of last year’s free, family cycling event.
HSBC UK Let’s Ride Glasgow (formerly HSBC UK City Ride) will take place on Sunday 4 August and HSBC UK Let's Ride Edinburgh on 22nd September, when city centre roads will be closed to motor traffic to give participants the perfect opportunity to explore their city in the saddle.
HSBC UK Let’s Ride events – which this year aim to build excitement across the country in the run-up to the UCI Road World Championships in September - inspire people to get on their bikes to combat some of the societal issues that affect major cities in Britain. Tying in closely with local cultural attractions, participants are given the unique opportunity to swap their car for the saddle and discover more of their city from a different perspective, on a bike.
Research carried out at last year’s HSBC UK Let’s Ride event in Cardiff, which coincided with the city’s biggest ever car-free day, found that levels of harmful nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fell by around 69% when roads were closed to motor traffic.
There will also be a range of community-led attractions along the route and at festival routes suitable for all ages and cycling abilities, as well as activities for those looking for a day out with family and friends, including music performances, a bike maintenance area, food and drink stalls, and a zone dedicated to several British Cycling recreation initiatives, from children’s learn-to-ride programme, HSBC UK Ready Set Ride, HSBC Go-Ride, and women-only HSBC UK Breeze.
Craig Burn, chief executive of British Cycling, said
“We are thrilled to once again be closing the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh to make way for a day of safe, inclusive cycling. Recreational cycling is a fundamental part of how we inspire more people in Scotland to get on two wheels and make cycling an everyday activity for everyone."
"For us, it’s about encouraging kids to cycle to school, adults to bike to work and also to get out with your family at weekends and be healthy. Alongside HSBC UK, we are passionate about bringing about positive change to people’s lives through cycling and transforming Scotland into a nation of cyclists.”
Luke Harper, head of HSBC UK’s partnership with British Cycling, said:
“The HSBC UK Let’s Ride events on closed city roads up and down the country will provide great opportunities across the summer for families and friends to get onto a bike in a car-free environment and to take part in a superb festival of cycling.
“Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in these events over the last couple of years, and we are looking forward to seeing many thousands more in 2019, all helping work towards a greener, fitter, healthier Britain.”
Full details of the day’s activities and route will be announced in due course.
To register, visit www.letsride.co.uk
