Organisations from across the region are warming up for the first Durham Cycle challenge which will run 8 – 28 June.
The Love to Ride Challenge will see organisations across Durham compete against each other to see who can get the most staff riding a bike. It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular cyclist or just getting back in the saddle, the competition is about taking part – just ten minutes of cycling can count.
The challenge is being run by Love to Ride, alongside the first National Cycle Challenge and many other local challenges, including the Tees Valley Cycle Challenge. This project is a new partnership with Bike Week, Cyclescheme and the CTC, the national cycling charity.
Over 1100 organisations and nearly 9000 people have already registered online and it isn’t too late to get involved.
As well as the usual benefits to workplaces such as a happier and healthier workforce and less congestion in the surrounding area, there are also some great prizes up to be won including bike gear and spa trips. Those who sign up to the regional competition, will automatically be entered into the national competition too where prizes include new bikes, a trip for two to New Zealand and holidays in Europe.
There are different categories and organisations will compete against those of a similar size to make the competition fair.
Councillor Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said:
“The Love to Ride challenge is a fun, free competition which encourages people to experience first-hand the joys and benefits of riding a bike. As well as helping to cut congestion, it’s also a fun activity for organisations to get involved with and brings all the benefits of having a more active workforce so we’d encourage as many people as possible across County Durham to sign up.
“Hopefully the friendly competition between staff teams and organisations will spur people on to push our region to the top of the national table.
Individuals and organisations can sign up by visiting www.lovetoride.net/durham
