Sky Ride Given ‘Campaign of the Year’ at Bike Biz Awards

Sky Ride, a series of recreational cycling events and local rides from British Cycling and Sky which have succeeded in getting over 700,000 people into cycling – was named ‘Campaign of the Year’ at last night’s Bike Biz awards.

Reacting to the news, Stewart Kellett, British Cycling’s Director of Recreation and Partnerships, said: “This is fantastic news. The philosophy behind Sky Ride events and the goskyride.com website is simple. No matter who you are or where you live, we’re got thousands of fun and easy ways to get on a bike. You can enjoy a mass participation Sky Ride city centre bike ride, or enjoy a Sky Ride local led ride with British Cycling ride leaders, or join a new online social network and get together with other cyclists for informal rides wherever you are. All of this is supported by a huge marketing and behavioural change campaign – the biggest ever national promotion of cycling for fun.

“Over 200,000 people every year take part in our programmes and this award is great recognition of everything that we’ve achieved. I want to thank all the supporting local authorities, participants, ride leaders and volunteers who’ve worked hard to make Sky Ride activities such a success.”

Sky Ride was up against stiff competition for the award as the Times’ Cities Fit for Cycling was also nominated in the same category.

Over the past year the British Cycling and Sky ‘Sky Ride’ programme has worked in partnership with 45 local authorities to promote and deliver cycling opportunities.

• They set up over 1,700 free community bike rides for anyone to join, delivered16 mass participation traffic-free city centre events and created a social network for cycling Social Cycling Groups.