Bike Month Challenge: how Greater Manchester residents are being encouraged to get out on two wheels in May

This year riders are being encouraged to get in the saddle in teams.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Greater Manchester residents are being encouraged to get on their bikes and give cycling a go throughout May.

The Bike Month Challenge is being promoted by Love To Ride and involves thousands of people being able to win prizes by getting in the saddle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This year the emphasis is on getting teams of people cycling, with social clubs, work colleagues and families all being encouraged to sign up.

Here’s what you need to know about how the Bike Month Challenge works and what happens if you take part.

What is the Bike Month Challenge?

The Bike Month Challenge takes place throughout the month of May and is organised by Love To Ride to get more people travelling on two wheels.

Last year more than 50,000 people took part, including 5,600 who were new to riding, who logged their journeys using pedal power, encouraged friends and family to join them and had the chance to snap up the competition’s prizes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This year, though, is about riding in groups. Teams of up to 10 friends, family, co-workers, colleagues from riding clubs, dance classes, book groups or other social activity are being encouraged to join the challenge.

Teams are allocated to pools and score points for every day and every mile they ride, while you can also climb the leaderboard by encouraging other people to cycle.

Newcomers who have been riding for less than a month also earn their teams double points.

Cyclists only have to pedal for 10 minutes to start earning points and entering the challenge is also free.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Love To Ride Greater Manchester is encouraging people across the city-region to join in.

The organisation says that so far in 2022 ,138 workplaces with more than 600 riders have signed up and done over 1,000 trips covering more than 22,300 miles.

You can find out more or sign up here.

What support is available throughout May if you join the challenge.

Love To Ride is offering a variety of tips to help riders stay in the saddle during the challenge, from tailored emails and advice sheets to quick courses.

The organisation is also sharing the environmental and health benefits of choosing to cycle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Love To Ride says cycling boosts physical and mental health, reduces stress and anxiety, reduces carbon footprints by leaving the car at home and in urban or congested areas can also bring down journey times.