Calling all Redland Cyclists...get involved!

Redland has always been full of cyclists, you only need to look at all the bike racks to see it's one of the most popular forms of transport in the area.Bristol is gearing up for one of the biggest fringe festival the city has ever seen - theatre, tours, choirs, city-wide games, fashion, talks, activism, off-the-grid stages, carnival, food and more - and what is the inspiration for this creative swell? The humble bicycle.

Now, local people are being asked to get involved in a city-wide cycle festival.

Bristol Cycle Festival, due to take place on September 11-26, will showcase the diversity of all things bike. Already more than 30 groups, including cycling clubs, community and arts organisations, schools, companies and enthusiasts are getting involved to create a chain of events that will explore, celebrate and promote cycling Bristol-wide.

A growing coalition of Bristol groups is getting the wheels in motion for the two-week cycling festival. Shambala Festival, Team Rubber, Bristol City Council’s Neighbourhood Arts team, Sustrans, Spoke n’ Chain and many others have collaborated with Greater Bristol’s Cycling City team to plan the festival and now is the time for the rest of Bristol’s bike-loving community to get involved.

The ‘Get in Gear’ grants are now available for individuals and community groups who want to put on their own event within the carnival and festival. Thirty grants of up to £500 will be awarded, and all events will be publicised in the festival program. The deadline is Monday 14th June for Trailblazer grants so event organisers will need to get their applications in quickly if they want to start planning now. There will be a second round of grants (‘Sweaty saddle session’) available between 14th June and 21 July.

Grant applications are already freewheeling in, including bike monologues, talks and stories, street shows, bike fairs, races and tours, bike workshops, long and short bike rides and on-bike treasure hunts.

Cycle Festival organiser Chris Johnson said:  “This festival is all about building on the Bristol’s existing diverse cycling culture, linking up all the exciting projects, getting all the cogs moving at the same time and helping people across Bristol to enjoy pedalling through two-weeks of all things bike and beautiful.”

“We started as just a small hub of enthusiasts with an idea but the interest has been phenomenal, and the idea is spinning out in every direction. This is going to be the start of a festival which will be the cycling culture expo for Bristol for years to come.”

“We have created the hub - now we need you, the spokes, to make this wheel turn.”

Cllr Jon Rogers, Bristol’s Executive Member for Cycling City said: “I can't wait! Our Cycle Festival is a wonderfully unorthodox way of celebrating Bristol's cycling heritage. There is something for everyone, and these grants to individuals and groups will add to the variety and interest.  Fast, daring and adventurous or slow, peaceful and quietly enjoyable, we have it all!