Get On Your Bike & Embrace Cycling This Summer! - Donohoe

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, TD today (Monday) launched the inaugural Great Dublin Bike Ride which takes place on Sunday 13th September and will be a flagship event in Ireland for the European Week of Sport (7-13th September).

The Irish Sports Council, in conjunction with Cycling Ireland has teamed up with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Dublin City Council and Healthy Ireland for the Great Dublin Bike Ride.The Great Dublin Bike Ride is based on the successful sportif model used internationally, promoting cycling and mass participation.Two scenic routes (60km and 100km) have been designed for the event (subject to change, pending approval of the relevant bodies), with both routes starting and finishing in the heart of Dublin's Smithfield.

Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke said:"I am delighted to welcome the first Great Dublin Bike Ride. This is a great opportunity for cyclists to take in the incredible scenic routes we have in Dublin and be part of a great event which we hope will attract up to 5,000 participants. This is an opportunity to showcase Dublin and our sports facilities."

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, TD, said:"I am delighted to announce the launch of the Great Dublin Bike Ride. The event provides a tremendous opportunity for the people of Dublin to participate in a unique event based on physical activity and community engagement. I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this event and any of the other events planned for our National Week of Physical Activity and Sport in September".

The Great Dublin Bike Ride provides a cross departmental, cross government approach to mass participation and physical activity. Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, TD said: "Cycling is an accessible activity that provides a gateway to healthy living for everyone. Events such as the Bike Ride are essential in supporting Healthy Ireland's goal of creating an environment where every individual and sector of society can play their part in achieving a healthy Ireland".

Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, said, "We are thrilled to be launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride. I have participated in similar events internationally and saw firsthand how successful they can be in increasing participation across all ages and all abilities. I really believe this is a great event to keep everyone active over the summer months and would encourage everyone, whether you are beginner or advanced cyclist to sign up and get involved".

Ambassador for the Bike Ride Ray D'Arcy, commented at the launch,"Cycling is a big passion of mine and I find it a great way to keep active and healthy. This is a great initiative by the Irish Sports Council and I believe it is very important we continue to look for new ways of getting more people active in sport and physical activity in the county."

The Great Dublin Bike Ride takes place Sunday 13th September 2015 and to register simply click on http://greatdublinbikeride.ie/