Merton Council urge residents to get on their bikes for BikeWeek 2002

Merton is already famous for cycling as Queen’s hit single ‘Bicycle Race’ was filmed at Wimbledon Stadium. Therefore residents should be pushing at the pedal as Merton Council and Merton Cycling Campaign (MCC) urge residents to get on their bikes for BikeWeek 2002, which runs from 15 – 23 June.

BikeWeek 2002 is an enjoyable and social way to encourage people to try cycling in London. Merton Cycling Campaign has organised a range of events during the week to encourage residents to give cycling a go.

· Barbecue and Social Evening
MCC have organised a barbecue evening for potential cyclists to meet group members on Friday 21 June from 7.30pm at 88 Aylward Road, Merton Park. Guests should bring a bike, a bottle if they like and something for the barbecue.

· Merton Cycling Campaign Information Stall
There will be an information stall with free cycle route maps and information on MCC at Centre Court Shopping Centre from 11am until 4pm on Saturday 22 June.

· Dr Bike surgery
The Dr Bike surgery is an opportunity for residents to get back into the saddle of their old bike. There will be experienced cyclists offering advice, minor repairs, MOT’s and a free post-coding service on Saturday 22 June 2002 from 11am – 4pm outside the Tesco Metro store on The Broadway, Wimbledon.

· Discover Merton Treasure Hunt Ride
MCC are hoping to put the fun back into cycling on Sunday 23 June by inviting cyclists to follow the clues along quiet roads and traffic-free cycle routes around the borough with prizes for the winners and runners-up. The treasure hunt starts from the front of Wimbledon Station at 10.30am and is suitable for families and accompanied children.

Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, Councillor Russell Makin said: “Before I became a councillor I used to cycle between central London and Morden nearly every day, a round trip of over 20 miles. Cycling to work or school can be an excellent way of keeping fit and cutting down on pollution and I would encourage all residents to give cycling a try. BikeWeek 2002 is an exciting way to introduce residents to the joys of cycling.”

Richard Evans, from Merton Cycling Campaign said: ‘Most journeys are short, in fact 72 per cent of all journeys in the UK are less than five miles long! If these journeys were done by bike, pollution would plummet, congestion would collapse, and we would have a fitter, healthier, and happier population in Merton. W