In partnership with the National Transport Authority, Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling. This year, Bike Week kicked off on Saturday, May 11th and end on Sunday, May 19th.
Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership ran and took part in 9 events across Bike Week which we had engaged with nearly 250 participants in our own programmes.
We ran Learn to Cycle classes which was run over 3 days in the Gaelscoil. There was time slots for younger kids and older kids who wanted to learn how to cycle! We had 16 children who now have learned how to cycle through our programme!
For those who wished to fix up their bike or learn tips, tricks and checks for their own bike we had our maintenance classes. We ran 2 sessions of Bike Maintenance where participants learned the M-Check, how to fix a puncture and ask questions they had about their own bikes. Over the 2 nights we had 24 participants join us on the nights. Each participant got their own bike maintenance kit to take home!
We also visited 5 primary schools in Kilkenny, holding 6 Bike Classes to children from 3rd to 6th class. For these events all kids got a water bottle, leaned how to spot a puncture and a night off homework! We met with just shy of 200 children!
We were also delighted to be part of Bikefest 2024! Bikefest took place in County Hall where there was free fun-fuelled programme of activities with leisure cycles on both days. Roll through the streets of Kilkenny, with cyclists of all ages on Sunday departed from County Hall at 12. They then return for a family festival in the grounds of County Hall. They got to try mountain biking, e-bikes or cargo bikes, join a nature walk or a circus workshop, enjoy food, music and so much more! It was a great day with brillant weather. Well done to Kilkenny County Council and Cycling Ireland on bringing this event over the finish line!