YELLOW bikes are popping up around Middlesbrough – a sure sign that the Tour’s coming to town.
Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd and Councillor Lewis Young donned overalls to get the spraying under way at the Town Hall.
Over the next week the colourful bikes will be appearing in locations around the town as excitement builds ahead of the Tour de Yorkshire’s visit to Middlesbrough on Sunday, May 1.
If you see one, why not take a snap and share on social media? Initially 15 bikes are being lined up for a makeover and installation in the town parks and public places, with more set to follow.
The countdown is now well and truly under way to Sunday, May 1 when the riders of the Tour de Yorkshire will gather in Centre Square for the much-anticipated final stage of this year’s race.
Some of the leading names in world cycling will roll out through the town before tackling a challenging and hilly 198km route to Scarborough. The route through Middlesbrough is due to be confirmed shortly.
The inaugural Tour de Yorkshire in 2015 attracted one and a half million spectators and more than six million global television viewers, and generated an estimated £50 million in economic benefit to the areas involved.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “With just over 60 days to go to the Tour’s arrival in Middlesbrough, there is a real sense of excitement starting to build.
“This is a unique opportunity for Middlesbrough to bring a huge sporting event to the town and to invite a global television audience to join us.
“Yellow is synonymous with the Tour de France and the Tour de Yorkshire, so the bikes people will see around the town are a reminder that the race is just around the corner – and that there’s a chance for everyone to get involved.”
For full details of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire, visit yorkshire.com/ and for regular updates on Middlesbrough’s build-up to the big day, visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk and lovemiddlesbrough.com/enjoytheride