European Capital of Cycling Newsletter – February 2024
National Track Championships – What a weekend in Manchester
In February we were delighted to welcome a talented roster of Olympian, Paralympian and world champion riders to compete for the national champions’ jerseys at the National Track Championships, right here in Manchester.
The high-octane action took place against the backdrop of our world-famous National Cycling Centre following a multi-million pound investment by the City Council to create the UK’s first electric Velodrome.
With Royalty looking on, this event epitomised Manchester’s status as a city alive with sport, in the year when we were also named the very first European Capital of Cycling.
We can’t wait to welcome more events and riders to Manchester this year.
A Wheely Fun Half-Term in Manchester
Over February Half-Term, we supported Manchester children through the holidays with free cycling activities.
Children attending the half-term camp at Rainbow Surprise, Kingsway Athletic and Improving Young Lives welcomed Access Sport for cycling skills sessions.
The opportunity provided children aged between 5-16 with education on how to stay safe when cycling, while also having fun and learning the skills of how to cycle with a professional.
Some of the children began the session unable to ride a bike, however Access Sport ensured that all the children learned key skills relative to their level and had fun and memorable time whilst at it.
Starling Bank Bikes in Manchester
Starling Bank was announced as the first sponsor of the Greater Manchester bike hire scheme. The partnership is the biggest commercial sponsorship deal in Transport for Greater Manchester’s history.
The cycle hire fleet will adopt a new name, Starling Bank Bikes, with bikes bearing the new branding now visible on bikes across the streets of Manchester.
The bikes are available to hire via the Beryl app. New users enjoy a 10-minute free ride on the first Saturday of every month in 2024, and existing users can get a 10% discount on minute bundles EVERY month, using the code SATCYCLE10.
Find out more via the link below, or download the Beryl App and get riding.
Love 2 Ride in Manchester
Love2Ride began an exciting opportunity for Manchester residents to win special prizes.
Every week, Love2Ride are giving away 2 prizes week to keep people motivated to ride. Enjoy a bike ride to enter prize draw number one and go for a transportation ride* to enter prize draw number two!
Don’t miss your chance to be a winner! Download the Love to Ride App and follow the prompt to register for the challenge, or register via the website below.
Engaging With the Community
Manchester Active, British Cycling, Cycling UK, Access Sport and Manchester City Council Climate Change held the first European Capital of Cycling community engagement meeting. The meeting featured a wide range of cycling organisations with 14 community representatives from 13 different organisations attending the meeting.
Attendees heard about the process of Manchester becoming the European Capital of Cycling and how they could get involved (through initiatives such as HAF and Active Streets), and about training opportunities available.
Some great conversations took place, with attendees demonstrating their interest in getting involved and creating connections between the groups. Groups were also encouraged to share their programmes and good news stories and to put forward inspirational ambassadors throughout the year.
Max Trax Has a Grand Day Out
The Place Partnership Team have been supporting Kerrie from Max Trax in her ambition to build a community cycling hub in Openshaw in memory of her son.
Supporters of her work were one of the number of community organisations invited to attend National Track Championships, with 40 members in attendance.
MaxTrax and the community who had the privilege to attend the event thoroughly enjoyed watching the exciting cycling action on display, and the opportunity to visit the National Cycling Centre. We are also supporting Kerrie in the delivery of a number of cycling and fundraising events throughout the year.
KYE WINS GOLD
Kye Whyte claimed gold at round four of the UCL BMX World Cup in Brisbane on Sunday 25 February. Kai trains in Manchester at the National Cycling Centre. With the Olympics on the horizon, our elite facilities are fueling local stars to the top of the podium.
Manchester is pleased to play our part in Kye’s incredible journey, and we would like to say congratulations from Manchester. You can watch highlights of Kye’s race via the link below.
Alternatively, if you fancy a go at BMX, you can find weekly BMX sessions at the National Cycling Centre below also. Only in Manchester can you ride alongside elite gold medal winning talent. #AliveWithSport #PedalMoreIn24
Thanking our Volunteers
Volunteers are often the bedrock of what makes or breaks a successful event. Volunteering can also give people experiences of a lifetime and open up a vast array of opportunities.
We would like to say a massive thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who supported and contributed to a memorable 2024 National Track Championships in Manchester. To learn more about volunteering opportunities in Manchester, visit MCRVIP via the link below
European Capital of Cycling Newsletter – February 2024
National Track Championships – What a weekend in Manchester
In February we were delighted to welcome a talented roster of Olympian, Paralympian and world champion riders to compete for the national champions’ jerseys at the National Track Championships, right here in Manchester.
The high-octane action took place against the backdrop of our world-famous National Cycling Centre following a multi-million pound investment by the City Council to create the UK’s first electric Velodrome.
With Royalty looking on, this event epitomised Manchester’s status as a city alive with sport, in the year when we were also named the very first European Capital of Cycling.
We can’t wait to welcome more events and riders to Manchester this year.
Starling Bank Bikes in Manchester
Starling Bank was announced as the first sponsor of the Greater Manchester bike hire scheme. The partnership is the biggest commercial sponsorship deal in Transport for Greater Manchester’s history.
The cycle hire fleet will adopt a new name, Starling Bank Bikes, with bikes bearing the new branding now visible on bikes across the streets of Manchester.
The bikes are available to hire via the Beryl app. New users enjoy a 10-minute free ride on the first Saturday of every month in 2024, and existing users can get a 10% discount on minute bundles EVERY month, using the code SATCYCLE10.
Find out more via the link below, or download the Beryl App and get riding.
A Wheely Fun Half-Term in Manchester
Over February Half-Term, we supported Manchester children through the holidays with free cycling activities.
Children attending the half-term camp at Rainbow Surprise, Kingsway Athletic and Improving Young Lives welcomed British Cycling for cycling skills sessions.
The opportunity provided children aged between 5-16 with education on how to stay safe when cycling, while also having fun and learning the skills of how to cycle with a professional.
Some of the children began the session unable to ride a bike, however British Cycling ensured that all the children learned key skills relative to their level and had fun and memorable time whilst at it.
Love 2 Ride in Manchester
Love2Ride began an exciting opportunity for Manchester residents to win special prizes.
Every week, Love2Ride are giving away 2 prizes week to keep people motivated to ride. Enjoy a bike ride to enter prize draw number one and go for a transportation ride* to enter prize draw number two!
Don’t miss your chance to be a winner! Download the Love to Ride App and follow the prompt to register for the challenge, or register via the website below.
Engaging With the Community
Manchester Active, British Cycling, Cycling UK, Access Sport and Manchester City Council Climate Change held the first European Capital of Cycling community engagement meeting. The meeting featured a wide range of cycling organisations with 14 community representatives from 13 different organisations attending the meeting.
Attendees heard about the process of Manchester becoming the European Capital of Cycling and how they could get involved (through initiatives such as HAF and Active Streets), and about training opportunities available.
Some great conversations took place, with attendees demonstrating their interest in getting involved and creating connections between the groups. Groups were also encouraged to share their programmes and good news stories and to put forward inspirational ambassadors throughout the year.
Max Trax Has a Grand Day Out
The Place Partnership Team have been supporting Kerrie from Max Trax in her ambition to build a community cycling hub in Openshaw in memory of her son.
Supporters of her work were one of the number of community organisations invited to attend National Track Championships, with 40 members in attendance.
MaxTrax and the community who had the privilege to attend the event thoroughly enjoyed watching the exciting cycling action on display, and the opportunity to visit the National Cycling Centre. We are also supporting Kerrie in the delivery of a number of cycling and fundraising events throughout the year.
Learn more about Max Trax below
Kye Wins Gold!
Kye Whyte claimed gold at round four of the UCL BMX World Cup in Brisbane on Sunday 25 February. Kai trains in Manchester at the National Cycling Centre. With the Olympics on the horizon, our elite facilities are fueling local stars to the top of the podium.
Manchester is pleased to play our part in Kye’s incredible journey, and we would like to say congratulations from Manchester. You can watch highlights of Kye’s race via the link below.
Alternatively, if you fancy a go at BMX, you can find weekly BMX sessions at the National Cycling Centre below also. Only in Manchester can you ride alongside elite gold medal winning talent. #AliveWithSport #PedalMoreIn24
Thanking our Volunteers
Volunteers are often the bedrock of what makes or breaks a successful event. Volunteering can also give people experiences of a lifetime and open up a vast array of opportunities.
We would like to say a massive thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who supported and contributed to a memorable 2024 National Track Championships in Manchester. To learn more about volunteering opportunities in Manchester, visit MCRVIP via the link below
