Around Ealing April / May 2019 | Page 8

CYCLING Prepare to saddle-up Whether you are a seasoned cyclist who does the daily commute on two wheels or you have not been on a bike for years, everyone will be welcome at the council’s Summer of Cycling events. Jessica O’Neil-Shaw reports. S tarting in April with a cycle ‘library’ allowing families to borrow child seats and trailers, it will peak in July with two all day cycling festivals held in local parks. Over the course of several months, the family-friendly programme of events will include something for everyone. Take a look at the calendar on the facing page to see what is planned so you can put dates in your diary and find out how to sign-up for events if necessary; and visit ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ features/summer-of-cycling for more details. As well as being fun and free, cycling can also help your physical fitness and lower your blood pressure and resting heart rate. It also offers significant mental health benefits such as reducing stress and helping to combat depression. 8 around ealing    April/May 2019 It is for these reasons that Ealing Council and its partners provide a range of support to help residents pedalling all year round. For details visit www.ealing.gov.uk/cycling ‘A LOT OF FUN’ Council leader Julian Bell said: “The Summer of Cycling looks like a lot of fun for people of all ages, and will hopefully prove to be a great way to encourage people to Get Moving by introducing them to the enjoyment and benefits of getting around on a bike. But it has another serious message, too. Getting out of your car and on to a bike is not just better for your personal health, it’s better for all of us by cutting air pollution and traffic congestion. Air quality is a huge concern in London and contributes to the deaths of thousands of people per year.” Find out about the Get Moving campaign to help people to be more active at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/getmoving SUMMER OF CYCLING: EVENT HIGHLIGHTS n Guided bike rides around the borough: Two events in July n Pedal-powered cinema: August at Lammas Park (Northfield Avenue entrance). Outdoor screening of The Greatest Showman (PG) run entirely on pedal power n Rides for women: West London Breeze group, which launched last year, hosts regular bike rides for women – including regular rides in Southall every Tuesday from 11am until the end of July.