On Thursday 11th July, 80 cyclists joined the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Kurshida Mirza and Mayor Marie Bradburn on a celebration cycle ride through Central Milton Keynes. Mayor’s Cycling Awards were presented and the High Sheriff pledged to help tackle bicycle thefts from Station Square.
Some arrived at Station Square in group rides from the corners of MK to enjoy free Dr. Bike repairs, free hire bikes, free hot snacks and free samba beats from Panacea Samba.
Following a welcome from Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, and a poem about Peace & Unity from local blogger and cyclist of ‘heart-shaped rides’, Sarah Bayaidah, the High Sheriff spoke about the importance of peace and unity in the region.
She also pledged to help tackle bicycle theft in Station Square: “I am aware that Station Square here is a place where many bicycle thefts occur. According to one report, it happens every four days. As someone quite new to cycling, I am pledging to organise a meeting between Cycle Citizens MK, the Mayor of Milton Keynes and Thames Valley Police to discuss the problem and work towards a solution and to make Station Square a community space we can all be proud of.”
Marimba Carr, Deputy Director of Public Health, and Dr. Thao Nguyen of Parkside Medical Centre, talked about the health benefits of cycling.
MK Mayor Marie Bradburn talked about her vision for a ‘Year of Cycling’. She pledged to focus on children’s Bikeability training (80% target), getting more women cycling (50% target), and helping MK City Council achieve Active Travel England rating 2 for more cycle infrastructure funding to MK.
She presented Mayor’s Cycling Awards:
- Bikeability Bronze: Caroline Haslett School
- Bikeability Silver: Bushfield School (presented earlier)
- Bikeability Gold (shared): Loughton School and Two Mile Ash School
- Bikes On Site – Watling Academy (17.4 bikes per 100 students) – collected by Assistant Headteacher Cameron Parks
Bikeability certificates were also awarded to two recently trained adults.
After a ride briefing from Dave Lewis of MK Parks Trust, the cyclists set off up Midsummer Boulevard towards the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park.
Then the riders reached The MK Rose.
At the Light Pyramid, cyclists gathered for a group photo
…then left for home.
Thanks to those who led the group rides from four corners of MK:
- North-east MK – Councillor Tony Oyakhire and Council Travel Officer Hayley Roche
- South-east MK – Ann Shrimpton, Breeze Women’s Cycling Group
- South-west MK – John Ritchie, Team MK, collecting pupils from Cold Harbour School
- North-west MK – Dave Lewis, The Parks Trust
Thanks to Ringway Infrastructure Services for proving cones and tape on Station Square.
Click here to register for Cycling Santas ride 14th December 2024.
For more information, contact Cycling Organiser Tom Bulman, 07962 838685.
Photos above from JAR Photography.