Mayor celebrates everyday cycling in MK

50 leaders of business, education and community organisations gathered in the garden at MK City Council Civic Offices to celebrate the growing momentum to increase cycling in the city.

The event was one of 15 events in the city's second annual Festival of Cycling, and was introduced by Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, which is prioritising Transport issues for vital action.

Cllr Marie Bradburn, former Mayor and newly appointed Active Travel Champion for the Council, welcomed current Mayor Paul Trendall. He spoke about why increasing cycling is important for the city, and presented ‘Love to Ride’ awards for high levels of staff cycling at the following companies: The Open University, Network Rail, Santander, ICAEW and VWFS; also Coldharbour School, Camphill Communities and MK YMCA.

Bob Pinder of ICAEW announced his company's donation of 25 cycles to MK community groups, following a bike building event as part of a recent ICAEW staff training. The lucky groups are: Two Mile Ash and Bushfield schools, Cycle Saviours, Campbell Park Parish Council, Camphill and Wheels for Wellbeing. Frank Purcell of M&M Supplies was thanked for offering to store temporarily the adapted bikes.

Special awards were presented to Animation students at MK College for their cycle-related design work under tutor Gareth Davies.

Dr Jonathan Flower of University of West England then presented a short summary of the findings of a two-year 'Back to the future' research project, in partnership with The Open University, MK City Council and Cycling Citizens MK.

Finally, to great applause, MK City Council's Head of Traffic and Transport, Murray Woodburn, announced a tripling of funding for improvements to MK's redway infrastructure next year.