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Smoothie way to get you cycling

Encouraging more commuters to cycle to work is challenging task, one that the Birmingham Cycle Revolution team is meeting head on with initiatives to change perceptions and lifestyles.

To tempt people to dust off their bikes and get pedalling, the team is introducing a mixture of schemes and activities that will support cycling to work and reward people who have a go.

For example, next Friday 27th June sees the launch of #BikeDayFriday, which will be a monthly fixture on the last Friday of each month to encourage commuters on their bikes.

To mark this first one, a unique Bike Smoothie has been created and will be given to cyclists passing through Victoria Square from 7:00am to 2:00pm. It is also an opportunity to speak to members of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution team and there will be a free Cycle Smoothie for anybody who joins the mailing list.

The Cycle Smoothie has been expertly blended by the Boston Tea Party, located on Corporation Street. Dale Allison, Manager of the Boston Tea Party Birmingham, said: “#BikeDayFriday is a great way to get commuters cycling and we’re really excited to be involved.

“We’ve created a tasty Cycle Smoothie with banana, apple, ginger and blueberries to help cyclists feel energised and reduce muscle soreness, something ginger is really good for. We hope people enjoy our Cycle Smoothie and take part in more #BikeDayFriday activities.”

As part of #BikeDayFriday, cyclists can also take part in a Twitter and Facebook competition by sending in their ‘Cycle Selfies’ using the #BikeDayFriday to be in with a chance of winning a variety of Birmingham Cycle Revolution goodies and vouchers to spend at the Boston Tea Party.

Cllr Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for a Green, Smart and Sustainable City at Birmingham City Council commented: “We came up with the #BikeDayFriday concept as a fun way to promote the developments and improvements taking place in and around Birmingham to make our city more cycle friendly.

“This is a great opportunity to engage with local businesses and encourage more people to get into the habit of cycling to work. There are a raft of health, environmental and financial benefits to cycling but it is also a fun activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. The Cycle Smoothie is great way to start #BikeDayFriday and we hope to see an abundance of cyclists around Victoria Square coming to get their free smoothie!”

Local businesses can also get involved with Birmingham Cycle Revolution at an event on Wednesday 25th June at Urban Coffee Company on Church Street from 12pm to 2pm. The Smarter Choices team will be hosting a free business lunch to inform local employers about Top Cycle Locations scheme and grant process.

Through Top Cycle Locations, Birmingham’s businesses can apply for funding to help turn offices into cycle friendly environments and boost cycling amongst the business community. The grants can be used to cover the costs of cycle storage, bikes, showers, lockers, bike training, maintenance sessions and more.

For more information about Top Cycle Locations and how to apply for funding, please email smarterchoices@birmingham.gov.uk or call 0121 303 7683.

For further details on the Birmingham Cycle Revolution programme, visit: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bcr

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Birmingham Cycle Revolution .