Hundreds Get on Their Bikes for Bike to Work Day

Transport Minister Conor Murphy hosted an annual cycle event for commuters in Belfast this morning for Bike2Work Day which has become an all-island event in Ireland for the first time.

The Minister and newly installed Lord Mayor of Belfast Naomi Long led hundreds on their bikes in Belfast as part of Travelwise Bike Week 2009 which saw events take place across the north. Whilst in the South, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey took part in a number of events to jointly promote the fun, financial, environmental and physical benefits of cycling, especially during the current economic downturn.

Public and private sector bodies across Belfast - including Belfast City Council, gem, Sport NI, Belfast Trust and NI Fire & Rescue - cycled from home to meet at the Gasworks site, Ormeau Road and on to the city to the Department for Regional Development (DRD) Headquarters in Adelaide Street.

Speaking at the event organised by the DRD's Roads Service, the Minister said: "With many household budgets being stretched here, cycling to work can significantly reduce outgoings by saving on travel costs. As fuel prices are on the rise again, there is real value to be had in swapping ours cars for bicycles today. The benefits are not only financial however, as cycling is a great way of improving fitness levels and strengthening the heart and lungs. With concern growing over obesity and lack of physical activity, cycling gives employers the opportunity to encourage their workforce to get active on the way to work.

"Bike Week has been a successful event for a number of years in the North and it is great to see this is now an all-Ireland event."

Andy Bready, Travelwise Bike Week Co-ordinator, said: "It’s great to see such strong support for this initiative with organisations such as gem, Sport NI, Fire & Rescue Service NI and the Belfast Trust taking part. Each year Travelwise NI works in partnership with organisations, setting up cycle-to-work schemes and initiatives that promote the benefits of cycling to and from work. With the recession showing no signs of ending, Bike Week highlights that there are alternative forms of transport that can be money saving, fun-filled and environmentally friendly."

Throughout the week local authorities, public and private sector employees and cycling organisations are organising a series of cycling events across the country. Events are taking place in Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Larne, Newry, Coleraine, Dungannon, Portadown, Craigavon. For further information on these events and Bike Week 2009, please go online at . www.travelwiseni.com.

Notes to Editors:

• Bike Week 2009 runs from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 June to allow for family events to be organised for the weekends.
• Bike2Work as part of Bike Week is being organised under the Travelwise NI campaign to encourage commuters to swap their cars for bicycles for even one day during the week.
• The Travelwise NI initiative aims to promote sustainable modes of transport.
• Travelwise NI is an initiative of the DRD's Roads Service that promotes sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, walking, car-sharing and public transport to employers, commuters and schools.
• Recording/filming opportunities are available all week. Roads Service representatives are available for interview along with a selection of public and private sector commuters and employers who have swapped their cars for bicycles. We are able to supply bicycles and cycling equipment for any journalists that may want to cycle along with any of the participants on Wednesday.

Bike to Work Day Media Opportunities

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2009

Time: 8.30 – 10am - Cycling Convoy departs at 8.45am

Location: Halifax Call Centre, Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast

Recording/Photography: Hundreds of cyclists will be congregating at the Gasworks site then cycling into the City Centre and round to Clarence Court in Adelaide Street.

Interviewees: DRD Minister, Travelwise NI Bike Week coordinator and commuters who have swapped their cars for pedal power.

Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0372 or Ross Williamson or David Lawlor at Inform Communications on 028 9023 3550 or 07734 821070 (Ross) or 07925 008854 (David)