On Thursday 13th July, MK business and education leaders will address a rally of more than 100 cyclists to thank MK City Council for promoting active travel in its new Delivery Plan 23/24.
After a welcome from the High Sheriff and Deputy-Mayor at The Old Bus Station, cycle stunts and samba drums, the cyclists will pedal up Midsummer Boulevard to present the Council Leader with a gift. The cyclists will then continue pedalling to the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park for a BYO picnic and another stunt contest.
Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Climate Action & Sustainability, will say: “Active travel is important to our goal of being carbon-neutral by 2030. As a city we need to not just take our cycling infrastructure for granted and think more about what that network needs to look like so people can use it efficiently.”
Murray Woodburn, the Council’s new Head of Traffic & Transport, will add: “There are some things we can do which are quick wins. Lighting, surfacing, priorities and removing obstructions, are relatively cheap and can be done relatively quickly.”
Nicky Newlands, Bikeability instructor, will say: “Each year we train nearly 2,000 primary school children to cycle safely, and we can see how much they enjoy cycling. It’s good to know the Council is as ambitious as we are to get them cycling in their first year at secondary school.”
Ian Revell of MK Community Foundation will continue: “Our Vital Signs research shows CO2 emissions to be too high in MK. If more of us cycle whenever we can instead of driving, the city air will be cleaner, and people will be healthier. And the cost of living will be less.”
MK citizens of all ages are welcome to join the ride, which leaves The Old Bus Station at 5.30pm (children accompanied by parents), and nextbike bicycles can be used for free (with a code obtainable from the event webpage here).
For anyone who has downloaded the Better Points app licensed by the Council, there’s a bonus 250 points for you if you make it to Campbell Park before 6:30pm.
