It's time to hit the road for fun and fitness as Hounslow Council gets ready to celebrate National Bike Week.
Published: Thursday, 30th May 2024
Hold onto your handlebars and get comfy in that saddle, because we’re gearing up for some serious fun as part of Hounslow'a National Bike Week.
This annual event celebrates all the great things about using your bicycle to get from A to B, for fun, for work and for fitness. It also encourages more of us to jump into the saddle and get on our bikes and ride.
Hounslow Council’s Transport Team is leading the way when it comes to promoting the benefits of two-wheeled transport.
This year the team will be pedalling a programme of free bike-related events and activities aimed at getting more people in our borough ready, willing and able to make the most of Hounslow by bike.
National Bike Week runs from Monday, 10 until Sunday, 16 June.
The theme for this year’s event is: be a #BikeHero. It seeks to celebrate cycling as a force for good. The organisers also want to shine a spotlight on all those people who cycle and who encourage others to do likewise.
The benefits of cycling are many and varied but here are the top three reasons for getting mobile:
- Handlebars are healthy - Cycling is great for your health. It can lower your stress levels, help you lose weight and even help ward off a range of medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
- Wheels of fortune - Using your bike for the daily commute can save you money. The costs of keeping and running a bike are much lower than running a car. You’ll also be helping to save the planet by cutting back on car fumes.
- Stressless success - Riding your bike is great for boosting your mood, and reducing your stress levels and can work wonders for your wellbeing. Just think about riding through Hounslow’s great green open spaces…you feel better already, right?
Emma Pajarillaga is a founding member and trustee of the Hounslow Cycle Sisters group.
The charity was established to ensure that Muslim women could get together to share the joys of cycling. The group holds regular rides in Hounslow beauty spots such as Lyon Park and Osterley Park.
Cycle Sisters is supporting Bike Week with a ride through Hanworth Park on Wednesday, 12 June.
Emma said: “Cycle Sisters started in Hounslow back in 2021 and our amazing team of volunteer Ride Leaders have been running led cycle rides on Sunday and Wednesday mornings ever since.
“The rides provide a space for Muslim women to discover the joys of cycling - they are a social space to build new friendships, an opportunity to discover the wonderful green spaces Hounslow has to offer and an opportunity to be outside and get some exercise. We're delighted to be part of Hounslow's National Bike Week activities and really hope that residents from all backgrounds get involved in the many exciting activities on offer.”
You don’t need a cape or wear your undies outside your trousers to be a #BikeHero, you just need to get involved with some of the great events the Council’s Transport Team is co-ordinating for National Bike Week.
Here’s what’s happening:
Tuesday, 11 June
1. Heston Park Adult Cycle Training (9:30 - 11.30am)
Beginners’ session: 9.30 - 10.15am
Improvers’ session: 10.30 - 11.30am
2. Feltham Park Adult Cycle Training (1-3pm)
Beginners session: 1 - 1.45pm
Improvers session: 2 - 3pm
No booking is required for these events.
3. Inwood Park ‘Learn to Ride’ After School Club cycle training sessions for children (4 - 5.45pm)
First session: 4 - 4.45pm
Second session: 5 - 5.45pm
Pre-booking required.
To book, please visit: https://fs19.formsite.com/cycling/zoekfowmry/index
Wednesday, 12 June
1. Cycle Sisters-led ride from Hanworth Park Leisure Centre (9.30am –12pm)
Pre-booking required.
To book please email hounslow@cyclesisters.org.uk
For more information, visit https://www.cyclesisters.org.uk/hounslow
Thursday, 13 June
1. Osterley Park Adult Cycle Training (12pm - 2pm)
Beginners session: 12pm - 12.45pm
Improvers session: 1pm – 2pm
No booking required.
Saturday, 15 June
1. Lampton Park Dr Bike (10am – 12pm)
No pre-booking required. For more information, visit https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/1985/cycling_in_hounslow/3
2. Lampton Park Adult Cycle Training (9.30 - 11.30am )
Beginners session: 9.30-10.15am
Improvers session: 10.30-11.30am
No booking required.
3. Hanworth Park Adult Cycle Training (1pm - 3.15pm)
Beginners session: 1 - 2pm
Improvers session: 2.15 - 3.15pm
No booking required.
4. ‘All-ability’ session at Inwood Park (9:30 – 3.30pm)
Disability friendly
Pre-booking required.
To book, please visit: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/1985/cycling_in_hounslow/4’
4. All ability session at Inwood (Disability friendly)
9.30am-3.30pm. Pre-booking required.
- Want to know more about what’s on offer for cyclists in Hounslow? Then visit: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/1985/cycling_in_hounslow
