| Cycling - the benefits | A staggering 70 per cent of all car trips are less than five miles. Most of us own bikes - there are an estimated 27 million across the UK – but we just do not use them. A study of over 10,000 people found those who cycled at least 20 miles a week were half as likely to have heart problems as those who did not cycle at all. |
Ride Leicester, the UK’s biggest community bike festival, will be held in Abbey Park on 29 May from 11am-5pm. The event, which is in its fourth year, is being organised by the Ride Leicester Association. It will celebrate cycling in all of its forms, from the earliest machines to the latest innovations in bike design. Attractions at the park will include BMX and dirt-track biking demonstrations, an area to test ride bicycles, and displays for older cyclists and people with special needs. Visitors can also ride old penny farthing bikes, try out rickshaws and even take a turn using a pedal powered television. There will be free bike training for youngsters and experts will be on hand to encourage talented cyclists to take up the sport professionally.  | | Cycling stunt from last year's festival |
The Phoenix Arts Theatre will also screen films on a cycling theme, with the premiers of six new local films from 27-29 May. Animators Cyril Fernandez and Simon McKeown will also run workshops for budding film-makers. Bike Film Festival organiser Stewart Charles said: “This is an excellent chance to find out about cutting edge animation from two people directly involved in the industry.” Local cycle clubs, bike projects and volunteers who want to get involved in the bike film festival can contact the city council’s transport development section on 0116 2232114 or email Ride Leicester at cycle-city@leicester.gov.uk. | 
