Pedal power proved to be a big pull for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire as they made tracks to the Alan Higgs Centre to celebrate National Bike Week.
Hundreds of people made their way to the Allard Way venue where a celebration was held to mark National Bike Week 2010 and announce the opening of the centre’s brand new BMX track.
The unveiling of the track was the highlight of an action-packed day at the Coventry Sports Foundation managed centre, which was organised with the support of sustainable transport charity Sustrans, Coventry City Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games.
National Bike Week 2010 runs from Saturday, June 19 until Sunday, June 27 and is supported by EDF Energy, the sustainability partner for London 2012. It aims to encourage people to adopt cycling and incorporate it into their everyday life by promoting the health, economic and environmental benefits of the activity.
During the free event there was a BMX tryout showcase on the track where bikes were provided for visitors to try out the new circuit and benefit from the expert advice of BMX coaches. A cycle skills area was also held on the lower car-park opposite the track where participants were taught basic cycle skills and novices were given the chance to try BMX biking.
There were also BMX trick displays in the skate area where established local riders performed for the public as well as other activity displays on site, including historical bikes from the Coventry Transport Museum.
Will Bastin, assistant for the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people at the event embracing the themes of sustainability and physical activity so wholeheartedly.
“The 2012 Games give us a fantastic opportunity to engage more young people in sport than ever before and facilities like this will play a vital role in ensuring that we are able to do that in Coventry and Warwickshire.