It’s set to be ‘wheely good fun’ as Ciclovia Belfast gears up to create a traffic free cycle route in the heart of Belfast City for the third time.
The fun, free event is open to everyone, of all ages and abilities on Sunday 24th September 0930 – 12:30pm. There is no need to register. Simply turn up and enjoy the traffic free cycle!
There will be lots of sporting and creative activities at the two hubs located at Botanic Gardens and Belfast City Hall as well as along the route itself; which runs from Botanic Avenue, Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Road, Bedford Street and Donegall Square West. Route activity includes; music from Ulster Orchestra, buskers, circus entertainment, athletics, hip hop dancers, bling your bike, BMX demos, a 40 foot haulage truck to educate drivers and cyclists on road safety – plus much more!
Spanish for cycle freeway, Ciclovia Belfast features the closing of a section of streets to allow cyclists, of all ages and abilities, to cycle a traffic-free route. Ciclovia is an international phenomenon with many cities across the globe, including New York and Paris, staging their own version.
The aim of Ciclovia Belfast is to promote community cohesion as well as physical and mental well-being and this year the Ciclovia Belfast team hope to see increased participant numbers.
To help participants get ready for Ciclovia Belfast a range of bike shops in the Greater Belfast area are offering free bikes checks – see website for details. If you want to take part but don’t have a bike – don’t worry you can hire a bike from one of the Belfast Bikes docks located along the Ciclovia Route.
Johnny Davis from Pioneer Group, Ciclovia Belfast event organisers, commented:
“When we piloted Ciclovia Belfast in 2015 we knew from participant feedback that there was a huge appetite for this event. Over the past two years we have seen cyclists of all ages and abilities take to the Belfast streets. We have had young first time cyclists with stabilisers to families on tandems and it has been a joy to watch. With the help of key partners including Belfast City Council, Public Health Agency and Department For Infrastructure our aim is to make this year’s Ciclovia Belfast the biggest and best yet but we can only do this with the help of the participants. We hope that lots of people will join us on the cycle freeway on Sunday 24th September and help us make ensure that Ciclovia Belfast 2017 becomes a regular fixture on the city’s event calendar.”
So get on your bike, get your friends on their bikes and cycle traffic-free in the heart of Belfast on Sunday 24th September 0930 – 12:30pm. Also, there will be an official cycle along the Ciclovia Route with the Lord Mayor of Belfast at 10am at College Park East (McClay Library) entrance to Botanic Gardens.
Make sure you follow Ciclovia Belfast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @CicloviaBelfast #CicloviaBelfast and www.cicloviabelfast.com. We need you to help spread the word and help make this the biggest and best Ciclovia Belfast yet.