Bike Week, the annual national celebration and promotion of all that’s great about bikes and cycling, returns this June – so, on yer bike!

Bike Week this year runs from 11th to 19th June, and, as we have come to expect, there are plenty of bike-themed events organised by local authorities, community groups and cycling groups throughout Ireland.

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise we can take, and is something that anyone from 6 to 100 years of age can do. It’s also a perfect chance to spend quality time with friends and family, and a great way to keep active whilst enjoying the great outdoors.

Check the Bike Week website for details of events taking place during the week, including free bike checks, fun cycles, lunchtime city rides, heritage cycles, electric bike races, school cycling events, bike festivals, road races and much more.

To mark the Centenary of the 1916 Rising, South Dublin County Council, in partnership with Dublin City Council, has organised a very special Commemorative Cycle, which will run from the Pearse Museum in St. Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham to Eamon Ceannt Park in Crumlin. The cycle will mark the role that the bicycle played in the Rising as volunteers left what was Scoil Éanna on the morning of Easter Monday and made their way by bike into the city centre to participate in the rebellion. The cycle will take place at 11:30am on Sunday, 19th June, with a free tour of the museum and a talk by the museum curator immediately beforehand.

At the finish at Eamon Ceannt Park / Sundrive Park there will also be a brief talk about the role of Eamon Ceannt and Joseph Plunkett, whose family had an estate where volunteers trained at Larkfield (now the site of Supervalu at the corner of Sundrive Road and Kimmage Road). The cycle is free of charge, but must be pre-booked. At approximately 5km in length (10km return), it is ideally suited to all levels of participants.

National Bike Week runs from 11th to 19th June. There’s something for every age and ability, so be sure to join in the fun at this year’s Bike Week. Tell us, where will your bike take you?