We cannot believe it's all over for another year. We really enjoyed working with our friends from Pioneer Group. Here we take a look back at this brilliant event:
CYCLING FREEWAY GEARS UP FOR FOURTH YEAR OF FUN
The worldwide phenomenon known as Ciclovia (Spanish for Cycle freeway) returns to the streets of Belfast for a 4th year on Sunday 7th October. Fun, free and for all ages and abilities Ciclovia Belfast in association with Thunder Park, the traffic free cycling experience through the streets of Belfast City Centre, aims to promote community cohesion, physical and mental well-being and awareness and safety.
As in previous years the route will run between two hubs located at Botanic Gardens and Belfast City Hall and is accessible from 0930 – 1200pm. Traffic restrictions will be in place from 0900 – 12:30pm and traffic flow will resume at 12:30pm.
Activities will run at Belfast City Hall from 0930-1200 and at Botanic Gardens from 0930-1400 and will include lots of FREE family fun events including a massive BMX demo from associate sponsor Thunder Park, cycling, sporting and safety activities. Along the route look-out for choirs, buskers, musicians, circus performers and cycling training opportunities. Participants can start the route wherever they wish and cycle up and down, in whichever direction, throughout the event. The cycle freeway route takes in Botanic Avenue, part of Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Road, Bedford Street, Donegall Square West and onto the front of Belfast City Hall. On the day, participants are welcome to mark the opening of the cycle freeway by attending a photo opportunity with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Deirdre Hargey at the McClay Library entrance to Botanic Gardens at 0930.
This year Ciclovia Belfast is in association with Thunder Park, the new Urban Sports Centre located at Eddie Irvine Sports, Bangor. Thunder Park features sports including BMX, scooter, skate and Parkour for pro, enthusiast or first timer. On the route look out for their Mini Half Pipe Ramp and Scooter workshops, BMX Skills circuit workshops, Mobile Skatepark and Skateboarding workshops, Parkour Workshops, Breakdance workshops and jam session and a giant Aerosol Art Legacy Piece where the public will be invited to take part in a large pop up urban art workshop where all attendees can contribute to one huge art work which will create a lasting legacy of Ciclovia Belfast 2018.
Ciclovia Belfast welcomes all non-motorised transport. If you don’t have a bike, you can walk, run, scoot or trike the route. Need a bike? Then visit one of the Belfast Bikes docks, where you can register and pick up a bike for rent. Belfast Bikes docks are located along the Ciclovia Belfast route. For further details visit www.belfastbikes.co.uk
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Deirdre Hargey, said:
“I’m delighted that Belfast City Council will once again be supporting this free family friendly event. Ciclovia is a great way of bringing people together from right across Belfast and beyond whilst promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. The route from Botanic Gardens to City Hall will be a hive of activity with music and street performers for everyone to enjoy. I look forward to taking in the sights and sounds of the event and I would encourage as many people as possible to join in and be part of this unique fun event.”
Johnny Davis, Ciclovia Belfast event organiser, added:
“We are delighted to bring Ciclovia Belfast in association with Thunder Park back to the streets of Belfast for its fourth year. It will be a fantastic all-inclusive fun, free community event with lots of activities for everyone to enjoy. We are thankful to all our partners and supporters who have helped to make this event happen including Public Health Agency, Belfast City Council and Department For Infrastructure.We are also very grateful for the fantastic associate sponsorship with Thunder Park who will bring a unique urban sports experience to the event. With all their support we are able to deliver another great Ciclovia Belfast for everyone to enjoy.”
Thunder Park owner Matt Gillespie said:
“Thunder Park is very excited to be an associate sponsor for this year’s Ciclovia Belfast. The ethos of Ciclovia Belfast fits perfectly with Thunder Park. We aim to inspire others to have the confidence to try out something new with the view to developing skills and building confidence. We look forward to showcasing our urban sports and activities at this year’s Ciclovia Belfast and would encourage everyone to get on their bike, support Ciclovia Belfast but above all have fun.”
Ciclovia Belfast will include road closures and diversions throughout the duration of the event which will be managed in partnership with PSNI. These will be in place from 9am – 12:30pm, Sunday 7th October. For full details please visit www.cicloviabelfast.com. Make sure you follow the Ciclovia Belfast conversation on Facebook, twitter and Instagram #CicloviaBelfast.