Olympian leads way on city cycle ride
HUNDREDS of families headed to Cardiff Bay yesterday to watch cyclists take over the city’s roads for the HSBC UK City Ride.
The event in the Welsh capital saw cyclist Becky James, who picked up two silver medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics for Team GB, lead cyclists on the 6km traffic-free route.
Starting at Roald Dahl Plass, the aim of the free event was to get people of all ages out on their bikes – with roads in the area being closed to allow cyclists to take over.
The route saw cyclists begin outside the Wales Millennium Centre, before heading to the Cardiff Bay Barrage and looping back.
Organised by British Cycling and HSBC, it was the seventh of 14 freeto-attend City Ride events across the UK in 2017. It is part of a UK-wide scheme to get two million people on their bikes by 2020.
Families showed up in their hundreds to support the event, to watch loved ones take part and to make the most of free entertainment.
Martin Williams was there with his grandson Dylan, aged five.
He said: “We wanted Dylan to experience a bike ride with little children and families.”
The Davies family were also at the event with ten-year-old Erin, 10 and Alfie, aged six. Mum Laura said: “We just came to get some exercise and have some family fun. We’ve also got new bikes and we wanted to try them out.”
The Kitching family were also keen to get involved, with dad Neil wanting to get his sons Aled, nine, and Evan, 11, into cycling.
Mum Jules Kitching said: “We bought these bikes on Saturday and tried them in the park. I was a bit wobbly – I haven’t cycled in a bit. Neil is a keen cyclist and has been keen to get us cycling too.”
Cyclists could make their own personalised bibs, and a pop-up velodrome allowed children of all ages to try their luck at track cycling. Halfords was also offering free bike checks, while free cakes were also on offer for participants.
Volunteer Steve Gabriel, one of British Cycling’s Ride Leaders, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. There’s a good atmosphere.”
Routes that were closed included Bute Place, Lloyd George Avenue, Britannia Quay and Harbour Drive.
Last month, Becky James spoke about the importance of giving people the confidence to take up cycling.
She said: “For people to have an opportunity to ride on a closed road happens very rarely.
“I think it’s just nice because it’s a great family day out and for people who haven’t got confidence. I know it’s been the same for my mum – she always used to be frightened to ride on the road.
“It gives people the opportunity to have a closed road and nothing to worry about so they can enjoy themselves.”