Activities for all at Oswestry Bikefest

This Saturday (29 June 2013) from 11am to 3pm it’s Oswestry Bikefest – a free family day out with cycling activities for all ages and abilities.

Now in its second year BikeFest – which is run by Shropshire Council’s Travel Shropshire team – is held at the Oswestry campus of Walford and North Shropshire College on Shrewsbury Road.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport, said:

“As well as being a great day out BikeFest is a chance for people to get answers to their cycling questions and get new ideas about where they can ride. They can find out about how they can start cycling on their regular journeys to school, to the shops or to see friends.

“We’re very grateful to our partners Sustrans, Quest88 and Walford and North Shropshire College for their support of BikeFest”

On the day you can: bring your bike along for a free safety check from bike mechanic Dr Bike; make a pedal-powered smoothie; or brush up your cycle skills with the Bikeability trainers.

New for this year is the first-ever chance to try the “paper round challenge”, an obstacle course for all ages designed by a local cyclist and supported by the Oswestry Chronicle. No previous experience of delivering newspapers is needed to take part!

There will also be electric bikes to try (age 14+ only) and adapted cycles and tandems for adults and children with special needs, provided by local company Quest88.

There will be lots for little children to enjoy including art activities, face painting and stabilisers off sessions; while their parents can find practical information and advice about cycling, and enjoy the display of vintage bicycles accompanied by live music from the 40s and 50s.

A family cycle ride to the event will leave The Meadows Primary School at 10.30am. Just turn up and join the ride – under 16s must bring an adult.

Karen Morris, head teacher at The Meadows Primary School, said:

“We encourage children to cycle to school at the Meadows and it’s great to see an event like BikeFest where parents and children can have fun cycling together.”

Full details of the event are online at www.travelshropshire.co.uk/oswestry-bikefest or ring 01743 253008 for more information.