Cycling – Archibald urges people to get on their bike

British Cycling aims to see two million more people on bikes by 2020 and Olympic champion Katie Archibald believes events like the HSBC UK City Ride is a perfect way to introduce people to riding on the road.

Archibald, who added her fist individual world title to the Olympic gold she won in Rio last year, has been in the Capital to help promote the mass participation event.

It is a free-to-attend, ride which takes place on Sunday, September 3, the same day that the Tour of Britain leaves the city.

The Tour features the current top five teams in the UCI WorldTour rankings and it starts from St Giles’ Cathedral at 10:30am.

The attention then switches to the HSBC UK City Ride which will take place between 11am and 3pm.

It will allow people of all ages and abilities to ride along the city’s streets which will be closed to traffic.

Archibald said: “British Cycling and HSBC UK have an ambition to get two million more people on bikes by 2020 and events like this are the perfect way to introduce people to riding on the roads.

“It is not a race, it is just a leisurely ride that will appeal to the whole family and I’d urge everyone to get along.”

The 4.5km course goes through the Old Town and Southside of the city, taking in familiar landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, the University of Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library and the Royal Mile, and providing some great views of the city.

The route begins in the Meadows and heads east along Melville Drive, turning left along Buccleuch Street, heading up George IV Bridge for the Royal Mile with a brief detour up and down Chambers Street.

After a short climb up to the High Street, cyclists ride downhill to Johnston Terrace heading back to the Meadows via Lady Lawson Street and Melville Drive.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The route will be closed to traffic throughout, ensuring a safe, family-friendly cycle for all abilities.

“I’m sure citizens will join in their thousands and make the event a huge success.”

Participants can either register their participation at www.letsride.co.uk or enter on the day.