NOVICE cyclists through to seasoned pros will find themselves well-catered for at next week’s Oxford Bike Week.

A series of rides will be held in the city from Saturday to Sunday, June 21, to encourage people from all walks of life to get on their bikes.

It is hoped more people in Oxford will take up cycling and reap the social, health and environmental benefits over time.

Co-organiser Josie Procter said: “It has always been an amazing event, and really inclusive, which is what we like. Cycling can be really polarising sometimes and all about the people in Lycra.

“We don’t see cycling as an exclusive sport. It should be about being able to pop to the shops, or get out in the fresh air on a Saturday afternoon to the pub or the park.

“It’s about children and people with disabilities. We have had people from all walks of life.”

Oxford Bike Week was set up by a coalition of volunteers from cycle groups, including the national charity Sustrans, city campaign group Cyclox, the Broken Spoke Bike Co-Operative and Isis Cyclists.

First up will be a leisurely women-only ride run by Isis Cyclists on Saturday which will meet outside the Sheldonian Theatre at 9.45am and head to Cuddesdon for cake.

Other highlights include a Narnia-themed family ride, also on Saturday and ending at CS Lewis’ old home in Risinghurst; and an 11-mile route led by Cyclox showing how it is possible to circle the city without passing traffic lights.

Ms Procter said: “There’s a lot of cycle infrastructure in Oxford, and cycle paths and parking. The student community has helped that.”

Events will culminate on Saturday, June 20, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Cycle Network.

Four rides from all over Oxfordshire, travelling via the Network, will converge on St Ebbe’s Primary School, Whitehouse Road, South Oxford, for a tea party.

For the past two years, Oxford Bike Week has coincided with Low Carbon Oxford. Ms Procter added: “It’s a happy coincidence and there’s a lot of co-promotion.”

Events are also running in tandem with National Bike Week, which has run since 1923 to encourage cycling as part of everyday life. It offers leisure rides, cycle-to-work buddy rides and more, with this year’s lead theme being ride to work.

Jonathan Sharpe, bike week coordinator for national charity CTC, said: “We know that many people ride to work already but if they don’t, Bike Week is the perfect opportunity to start.

“With ambitious plans for cycling to become a regular fixture for millions of people, it’s clear Bike Week has an important role to play in making us a truly cycling nation.”

* Visit oxfordbikeweek.co.uk