Get on your bike for 'Ride Anywhere Week'

Sunderland residents are being encouraged to get on their bikes for Ride Anywhere Week this week (21-27 March) and enjoy the benefits of cycling.

Through cycling platform Love to Ride, riders can choose a pledge for the week and access helpful tips, tricks, tools, and support.

Participants can choose one of the following pledges:

• Ride for health and fitness - there are a lot of reasons to enjoy a bike ride, find out more about the most tangible ones that will help you feel happier and stronger.
• Ride for transportation - to work, to school, to the shop - start making any journey from A to B by bike.
• Ride for adventure - whether it's to ride somewhere new or exploring your local area, enjoy a pedal-powered adventure.
• Ride with kids - saddle up and enjoy a bike ride with your children. It might seem complicated, but Love to Ride can offer practical support to help you roll out together.

Whether you cycle every day or haven't been on a bike in years, Love to Ride can provide plenty of tailored tips, tricks and tools to help riders overcome barriers and complete their pledges.

Sunderland City Council's Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Transport, Councillor Claire Rowntree, said: "There's never been a better time to enjoy riding a bike, especially now we have longer days, and the weather is slowly improving. Cycling is a great way to get daily exercise as well as an easy and safe way to travel from A to B. Having more people in Sunderland choosing cycling over driving will also help us to make a positive impact on the environment and reduce our carbon footprint."

"This year we are running our swim, bike, run programme to create more opportunities for people to take up swimming, cycling and running on the back of some of the exciting sporting activities we've got lined up this summer. Events like the Tour of Britain, British Triathlon and the Tour Series are all coming to Sunderland in 2022 and we hope they will inspire residents to get on their bikes in this year."

To take part in Ride Anywhere Week by registering for free at lovetoride.net. You only have to ride for 10 minutes to start working towards your pledge and be in with a chance to win prizes.

Once you register you can start logging your bike rides, set goals to provide greater motivation and earn prize draw entries every time you ride.