Get on your bike for the second Kirkcaldy Cycling Festival!

The week-long festival, organised by Greener Kirkcaldy, is taking place for the second year from Saturday, August 22 to Monday, August 31.

It will include a wide range of free events for complete beginners, to families, to cycling enthusiasts - there will be something for everyone.

With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, Greener Kirkcaldy has worked with local partners to create a programme of online events and small socially distant face-to-face activities.

Families are invited to take part in a Family Bike Ride on Sunday, August 23 and Fife Council will be running fun one hour sessions of Bikeability Games for children in P4-7 on Saturday, August 29.

People looking to go for a leisurely ride in a small friendly group can join a Social Bike Ride on Sunday 30 or a Bike and Blether Ride available on Monday 31.

Greener Kirkcaldy’s new Community Bike Shop, Lang Toun Cycles, will also be offering free bike checks, minor adjustments and repairs from at their Dr Bike event on August 22 from their temporary cycle surgery.

Anyone wanting to learn more about different types of cycling locally, can take part in an online event - “Why Cycle?” on August 26, where local cyclists will be giving short presentations about their experiences on cycling – from long-distance leisure cycling through to commuting by bike or cycling the kids to school.

Another online event – “Better Living through Pedalling” on August 27, will give people the chance to hear from well-known figures in cycling speaking about their experiences.

Confirmed speakers include Lilith Cooper, author of Gears for Queers who will be talking about how cycling has benefitted her mental health while

Nat Spring, creator of the 40 Days wellbeing challenge, will also talk about how cycling helped him gain confidence after an accident and inspired him to set up the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ challenge.

Susan Jeynes, active travel development worker, said: “We are delighted to be holding our second cycling festival this year.

“Recent months have seen a huge increase in cycling in Fife, with more people than ever rediscovering the joy of being on two wheels. This festival is a chance to celebrate that, whilst showing how people can continue to cycle as lockdown eases.

“It is great that we are now able to get together and hold small-scale bike rides again, which offer an opportunity to meet new people and discover some of the quieter routes around town.

“We are also thrilled to have secured some excellent speakers for our two online events, who can share their different experiences on two wheels. This festival should have something for everyone!”

The Kirkcaldy Cycling Festival is funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund and Path for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places, with the aim of encouraging people in Kirkcaldy to cycle more.

Booking is required for all events. For more information, visit www.greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk.

Meanwhile, Greener Kirkcaldy has restarted its weekly social bike rides. These leisurely rides are a great opportunity to meet new people and discover some quieter routes around Kirkcaldy. The next ride will be this Wednesday (August 12), before returning to the usual Sunday morning rides from August 16.

The rides are free but booking is required.

Visit www.greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk, call 01592 858458 or email: [email protected] for more details.

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