On Friday 17th September, as part of European Mobility Week 2010, Dublin City Council will be hosting an event to showcase a type of electrically-assisted bicycle called a ‘Pedelec’. Combining pedal and battery power, Pedelecs open new possibilities to commuters, particularly those with a long or hilly commute. With pedal-assist technology, the electric motor boosts your pedal input so that you can ascend hills with ease and travel further while cutting your fuel costs as well as your impact on the environment. The top assistance speed is typically about 25km/h with a range of about 50km; the battery can be recharged overnight (4-6 hours required). Pedelecs are also eligible for the bike-to-work scheme.
Mobility Week is an initiative led by the European Commission to promote sustainable modes of travel and improvement of the urban environment. This is the 10th year of European Mobility Week and over 900 cities and towns have registered to participate.
The event itself, titled King of the Mountains, will take place on Fishamble Street (beside Civic Offices) from 12.00-18.00 and all are welcome to try out the newest Pedelec technology on one of the city centre’s steepest climbs. Pedelec suppliers from all over Dublin will be in attendance so that members of the public can test-ride the bikes and get information on how they operate, how much they cost, etc.
The event promises to be great fun for all with music, guaranteed entertainment, and everyone who participates will be entered in a draw to win the fantastic prize of a Giant Twist Pedelec bike worth €1500! We may even stage a fun King of the Mountains style competition with the prestigious prize of a customised polka dot jersey signed by top Irish cyclist Dan Martin, winner of the 2010 Dublin Cycle Race.
On Saturday 16th October why not take part inthe second annual Sponsored Spin for Chernobyl? Last year this event raised €52,000 for Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI) and this year a target of €100,000 has been set, so your help would really be appreciated. Your ‘Spin’ can be any of the following:
- 40km cycle (from Ballsbridge to Little Bray and back) OR
- 10km run OR
- 5km walk
This event is for a great cause and promises to be lots of fun with prizes, fancy dress, raffle and post-event party.
CCPI develops, facilitates and effects long-term sustainable community-based solutions and provides medical and humanitarian assistance to the victims and survivors of Chernobyl. As always the challenge is maintaining the support to ensure the charity’s work continues and helps those truly in need with on-going programmes including medical programmes – supplying medical equipment, trained medical staff, upgrading mental asylums & the living conditions in orphanages, providing foster homes for children so as to take them out of institutional care etc.
Garmin – Transitions’ Dan Martin rode to a dominant solo victory in The Halfords Tour Series Dublin on June 19.
In front of large, knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowds in the historic Temple Bar area of Dublin, Martin attacked early on in the race and never looked back. Behind Martin, the An Post Sean Kelly Cycling Team took the team victory, as a quartet of orange clad riders escaped to cross the line side-by-side, confirming overall victory in the two-race Series.
An Post Sean Kelly Cycling team took the overall Halfords Tour Series victory by four points from CyclePremier.com – Metaltek and Sigma Sport – Specialized. We have lots of photos from the races here on pix.ie and you can view video taken by a member of the public below:
Started by Mikael Colville-Anderson in 2006 with his influential blog www.copenhagencyclechic.com, Cycle Chic is all about the re-branding of the bicycle as not only transport and urban mobility, but also as something cool and hip and do-able in your regular clothes. The Dublin Cycle Chicfashion show took place on Wednesday 16th June in City Hall as part of National Bike Week. For those of you who missed it, check out the video above to see what it was all about.
Do you find it normal that in the middle of a snow storm a lady rides home with her groceries and a baby on her bike? Or could you picture yourself racing beside two lanes of cyclists to work? What about taking your cello or even a Christmas tree with a trike from A to B?
Danes do… that is what makes Denmark so special: being liberated from the gloomy prospect of having to choose a form of motorised transport for lack of a better option… Danes enjoy this freedom to the full and have been doing so since the 1960s, when they revived their cycling culture after a period of car domination in the post-war era.
The Dreams on Wheels exhibition shows what the Danes have done, what their concept of lifestyle is and how this type of “slow living” integrates efficiency with environmentalism so naturally. First shown in Paris in 2002, this exhibit has travelled the world promoting urban cycling as a viable personal transportation alternative. It provides examples of Urban Planning strategies, designer bicycles that fit your needs, and hint at the philosophy behind making it possible for everyone to partake in the sport of commuting without harming our blue planet.
The exhibition takes place during Bike Week in the Civic Offices Atrium, Wood Quay, from Monday 14th June to Friday 18th June 2010.
The thrill and excitement of top-class professional cycle racing returns to Dublin city centre on Saturday 19th of June in the Halford’s Tour Series.
Ten teams will battle it out on the streets of Dublin for the right to be crowned Champions. Among them will be the An Post Sean Kelly Cycling Team and teams from Cycling Ulster – Slane Cycles, Munster, Leinster and Connacht, along with five English teams from the main Halfords Tour Series, including the Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta team of Olympic and World Champion Ed Clancy and the CyclePremier.com – Metaltek team of former World and Commonwealth Games medallist Tony Gibb.
The Halfords Tour Series Dublin takes place on Saturday 19th June, beginning on Lord Edward Street at 18:00, and lasting for 60 minutes plus five laps of racing. The 1.0km circuit includes Dame Street, Lord Edward Street, Fishamble Street, Lower Exchange Street, Essex Street and Eustace Street.
Warm-up events beginning at 14.30 and main event at 18.00
As part of Bike Week 2010, the “Cycle Chic” movement rolls into Dublin.
Started by Mikael Colville-Anderson in 2006 with his influential blog www.copenhagencyclechic.com, Cycle Chic is all about the re-branding of the bicycle as not only transport and urban mobility, but also as something cool and hip and do-able in your regular clothes.
There are now “Cycle Chic” blogs in more than 60 cities around the world.
“Dublin Cycle Chic” is a fashion show like no other. Mikael’s fashion vision, brought to you courtesy of Embassy of Denmark, Dublin and Dublin City Council, will show us all how to match our cycling with our clobber.
Ciaran Fallon, Cycling Officer, Dublin City Council was speaking at a photocall to publicise the show. “Each day half of all people living in Copenhagen cycle to work and look great doing it. This is something we are striving for in Dublin.”
Ireland’s top stylist Paula Hughes has teamed up with Ireland’s largest retailer Arnotts to bring you a celebration of fashion and cycling never before seen in Ireland.
For one night only, on Wednesday June 16th 2010, in the beautiful Rotunda of City Hall in Dublin the fashion industry will pay homage to the bicycle and show us how to look chic on a bike and how we can all look good while cycling around our capital city.
For an opportunity to win tickets to this exciting event, check out:
Presenting David Engwicht, one of the world’s most innovative urban thinkers shares his ideas on developing a creative city.
Ever wondered what it might be like to live in a city that encourages people to reach their fullest creative potential?
What would such a city look like?
How would it feel to live in such a city?
David Engwicht, artist, writer and street philosopher, unpacks what it takes for a city to become a creative city and why every resident has the power to make their city a place that nurtures the creativity of its residents. The event takes place on the 28th of May at 7.30pm in the Wood Quay Venue, Civic Offices, Dublin 8.
Cyclists of all abilities are being encouraged to polish their spokes and take part in the Women’s Aid East Coast Cycle Challenge in May. The 70K fun cycle from Dublin to Arklow takes place on Saturday 15th May 2010 and takes in some of the most beautiful scenery the East Coast of Ireland has to offer. All funds raised go to the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline (1800 341 900) which supports women and their children experiencing domestic violence.
You can cycle as an individual or as part of a team and will be encouraged along the way by an excellent support team of motor-bikers, car support, puncture repair and first aid experts and the Gardaí. It is not a competitive cycle and the emphasis is on fun and completing the challenge. The route will be well marked and signposted and regrouping points will make sure cyclists are not out on the route alone, if they don’t want to be. Refreshments, including bananas, water and lollipops, are available along the route and there’s a stop off for lunch halfway at the Newcastle Inn.
The Dublin Cycling Campaign is organising a Bicycle Christmas Party on Thursday 17th December in POD on Harcourt Street to celebrate the rejuvenation of cycling in the city. You can click the image above for the PDF poster. It promises to be a great night. Hope to see you there.
On Saturday 16th October why not take part in the second annual Sponsored Spin for Chernobyl? Last year this event raised €52,000 for Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI) and this year a target of €100,000 has been set, so your help would really be appreciated. Your ‘Spin’ can be any of the following:
Started by Mikael Colville-Anderson in 2006 with his influential blog 
of “slow living” integrates efficiency with environmentalism so naturally. First shown in Paris in 2002, this exhibit has travelled the world promoting urban cycling as a viable personal transportation alternative. It provides examples of Urban Planning strategies, designer bicycles that fit your needs, and hint at the philosophy behind making it possible for everyone to partake in the sport of commuting without harming our blue planet.
Ever wondered what it might be like to live in a city that encourages people to reach their fullest creative potential?
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