Stockton-on-Tees is celebrating a month of cycling as part of a regional campaign which encourages people to be more active.
Everybody Active North East is a collaborative project between all twelve north east councils which aims to increase levels of physical activity within the region with each council focusing on a different activity each month.
Throughout June, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is hosting a range of cycling activities encouraging people to get involved and helping to educate them on how they can live longer, healthier lives by being more active.
Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “Exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health and wellbeing – helping to guard against a number of diseases and conditions including diabetes and depression – and it is a great way to socialise.
“We know that 29 per cent of adults in Stockton are currently doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week but it’s never too late to start getting more active.
“I intend to cycle into the office next week and there are also some excellent activities taking place across Stockton-on-Tees over the next couple of weeks, including our annual Cycling Festival, which are suitable for people of all ages and abilities. June is set to be a great month for cycling in the Borough, so what better time for people to get involved?”
To kick off the month of activities Stockton’s active travel centre, the Hub, hosted a ‘Pedal in the Park’ event at Preston Park where youngsters were helped to ride a bike without stabilisers.
The Hub is also offering guided bike rides for people of all ages throughout the month, while indoor spinning classes are available at Tees Active leisure centres across the Borough.
Among the events on offer as part of the Cycling Festival are the Stockton Sportive which offers four routes for different cycling abilities, the RideStockton family fun ride, and a Family Festival Day.
For the full programme of cycling events visit www.stockton.gov.uk/events
To see the full Stockton Cycling Festival programme of events, visit www.stockton.gov.uk/cyclingfestival for full details of Stockton Cycling Festival.