Wheely Successful Bike Week

A Family Fun Cycle event, organised by the Trust, took place on Tuesday 19 June and attracted 70 cyclists of all ages and abilities. The group enjoyed a cycle along the Quay, across the Peace Bridge and along the new Waterside Greenway, through St Columb’s Park, back over the Peace Bridge, before returning to The Coffee House on Atlantic Quay for some well-deserved refreshments.

The event was the result of a suggestion by Ian McKeegan, a member of Trust staff and local keen cyclist who joined the Trust’s Cycle to Work scheme last year. Ian commented: “Bike Week promotes and encourages everyone to experience and enjoy a different view of their area - by bike! It also provides everyone with the chance to experience just how convenient cycling is as well as the health benefits that come with it.

“I cycle to and from work most days and enjoy cycling recreationally both on my own and as part of a local cycle club. Cycling is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine because it’s also a form of transport. It saves you money, gets you fit and is good for the environment so I would encourage anyone to give it a go and it really is great fun and very sociable. “We have a fantastic network of cycle paths just waiting to be explored.”

Lesley Finlay, Health Improvement Officer with the Western Trust’s Health Improvement Department said: “Annual Bike Week ran from 16 to 24 June. The Trust is committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff, clients, patients and all members of the community. It was great to see so many people out using the city’s new cycle paths as part of the Bike Week event.

“We provided, on loan, a number of bikes to people who are new to cycling and there seemed to be great interest in cycling from people of all ages, especially families. This is very encouraging as new physical activity guidelines published by the four UK Chief Medical Officers last year emphasise that children under 5 should be physically active for three hours every day and children and young people aged 5-18 years should engage in at least one hour and up to several hours of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day. It is recommended that adults and older people engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for two and a half hours each week in order to benefit their health. Cycling is a great way to help achieve this and benefits both physical and mental health.”

Lesley continued: “Increasing physical activity is part of the ongoing drive of the ‘Fitter Futures for All’ Strategy launched by Minister Poots earlier this year”.

The Western Trust will be organising basic cycle training over the next few months for anyone who is new to cycling or wishes to gain confidence having not cycled for a few years. For further information visit the Western Trust’s website, www.westerntrust.hscni.net or ‘like’ the Western Trust on Facebook.