The team at bike hire scheme Bike & Go are inviting people to ditch their cars and join them on a free outdoor event to mark Clean Air Day this month.
A guided bike ride, bike hire, a mindfulness session, refreshments and a picnic will all be on offer as part of the three-hour event, which takes place on Thursday, June 20.
Leaving from West Kirby station at 10am, participants will enjoy an easy bike ride to Thurstaston where they’ll stop for a drink, before joining yoga experts Yogasmiths for a mindfulness session on Cubbins Green overlooking West Kirby beach.
They’ll then be treated to a delicious picnic overlooking the sea; all courtesy of Bike & Go.
All abilities are welcome, although participants must register in advance by 4pm on Monday 17 June.
Clean Air Day is the UK’s biggest air pollution campaign, and aims to raise awareness of air pollution, share information and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
Taking place on June 20 this year, Clean Air Day is coordinated by environment charity Global Action Plan and is supported by more than 200 organisations, including Public Health England, British Heart Foundation, British Cycling, Royal College of Physicians, DEFRA, UNICEF, Asthma UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and additional NHS trusts and local authorities.
Suzanne Grant, Director of Bike & Go said: “With air pollution affecting the air both inside and outside of our homes, it’s an issue that we should all be aware of, which is why we’re supporting Clean Air Day 2019.
“People might expect cyclists to be particularly vulnerable to polluted air, however research published by the University of Leeds revealed that, on more congested commuter routes, cyclists were able to cover the distance in the shortest time and so were exposed to less pollution particles than those in cars and buses.
Issued for & on behalf of Bike & Go
“Our traffic-free cycle ride will give participants the chance to breathe in lots of lovely sea air, enjoy refreshments and a mindfulness session too.”
Bike & Go offers bike hire facilities from 22 participating train stations across the Merseyrail network, including Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Aigburth, Southport, Ormskirk and West Kirby. There are also bike hire facilities at Seacombe Ferry Terminal and Leasowe Castle, in addition to a further 49 participating train stations across much of the North West, North East and Yorkshire, East and South East of England, and Scotland.
Those wishing to become a Bike & Go subscriber, which enables them to hire two bikes at a time, simply need to register their card details online, which they can do via smart phones, tablets, or their home computer, and pay the annual £10 subscription fee. They will then receive a user number via email which will allow immediate bike hire – usually charged at just £3.80 per 24 hours up to a maximum of 72 hours - while they wait for their Bike & Go membership card.
To secure a place at the free event, email Lorna Young at lyoung@merseyrail.org
