City saddle up to support Cycle Challenge

Roberto Mancini with CTC officers Ian Richardson (left) and Ross Adams, who are organising TfGM’s Greater Manchester Cycle Challenge

As the Premier League campaign has shown, Manchester City are definitely up for a challenge – and now they are up for a new one: the Greater Manchester Cycle Challenge.

The club is backing Transport for Greater Manchester’s competition, which is free and pits local businesses and organisations against each other to see who can get the most employees to ride a bike between 14 May and 5 June.

It forms part of TfGM’s bid to get more people cycling to work and involves plenty of teamwork – which is something the City squad knows all about.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said: “I try to cycle into work at the Football Club’s training ground in Carrington whenever I get the chance. It helps me stay healthy whilst also helping to contribute to the environment.

“I think this cycle challenge is a really fantastic idea. So I urge everyone to sign up and get on their bikes to work. Good luck!”

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 it launches on Monday.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “I’m delighted that Manchester City are backing our challenge because what they have achieved this season is the epitome of teamwork, and that’s a big part of what our competition is all about.

“We want to make cycling to work the rule rather than the exception and our Cycle Challenge is a fun and engaging way of encouraging more people to think of riding their bike to the office in future.”

Businesses of a similar size will be grouped together to compete against each other.

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

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, or to register, visit: www.tfgmcyclechallenge.org.uk