Putting mettle to the pedal

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, demonstrates one of the more unusual ways to take part in the Cycle Challenge

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Thousands of people across Greater Manchester are gearing up to put their pedal power to the test this month for the inaugural Cycle Challenge.

Part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s bid to get more people cycling to work, the competition is free and pits local businesses and organisations against each other to see who can get most employees to ride a bike between 14 May and 5 June.

More than 100 organisations have already signed up to take part in the challenge, which is being organised for TfGM by CTC (National Cyclists Organisation) Challenge for Change, but even more are being encouraged to register before next Monday’s launch.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “The Greater Manchester Cycle Challenge demonstrates our commitment to encouraging more people to cycle to work and is something that everyone can get involved with.

“Organisations of all sizes can take part and those that do will be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.”

Dave Newton, TfGM’s Transport Strategy Director, said: “The challenge is fun, healthy, great for team building and gives people the opportunity to reconnect with cycling.

“People only have to ride for a minimum of ten minutes and record it on the dedicated challenge website in order to enter the prize draw, and encouraging others to ride during the challenge qualifies participants for further prize draws.

“It doesn’t matter if you are not a regular cyclist, the aim is to get back in the saddle and have fun.”

Seamus Kelly, CTC Cycling Development Officer, said: “We are delighted to be working with TfGM to support cycling across Greater Manchester. The challenge is a great way to encourage more people to get out on their bikes and to remind them that cycling is good for them, good for the environment and good for their wallets.”

Prizes and incentives on offer include:

• A hot air balloon trip for two

• Bikes and cycling equipment worth £500

• A Jamie Oliver Pick of the Pantry Luxury Hamper

• A mixed case of delicious summer wines

• Free cinema tickets

Businesses of a similar size will be grouped together to compete against each other. For more details, or to register, log on to www.tfgmcyclechallenge.org.uk  

The competition forms part of TfGM’s Commuter Cycle Project, which aims to make cycling to work the rule rather than the exception. For more details, visit www.tfgm.com/cycling