Saddle up and cycle

Jun 3 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

IF your bike has been languishing in the loft, banished to the basement or crammed into a cupboard for a while, there’s a good chance it’s in need of some expert attention.

And that’s just what North Lanarkshire Council’s road safety team is going to provide at Strathclyde Park – free of charge.

National Bike Week runs from June 13 to 21 June and encourages people to get on their bikes, explore their community and find out just how convenient cycling is for the short trips we make everyday.

So in a bid to get lapsed cyclists back in the saddle during this week, the Road Safety team is running a free bike safety check clinic in Strathclyde Park on Monday, June 15, from 2pm to 5pm.

A bike repair specialist will be on site to check bikes and carry out minor repairs where needed, and you’ll also have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win free bike hire for four in Strathclyde Country Park for a day as well as a range of additional prizes.

“The aim of Bike Week is to promote an easy, fun way to get fit,” said David McDove, policy and safety team leader with the council’s roads and transportation service. “It’s also about the environmental benefits of cycling and reducing our carbon footprints.

“Cycling is a great way to get together as a family, to explore your local area and to make the most of the summer weather while it lasts. Also, to encourage as many people as possible to try it out, or to try it again, we’re offering this clinic to ensure everyone stays safe, as well as healthy, on the roads.”

For more information about National Bike Week, log on to www.bikeweek.org.uk, and contact Pamela Ferrie on (01698) 274213 or Marion Creswell on (01698) 274211 for more details about the bike clinic.