A week to go until launch of NCN

Below follows the full text from two Sustrans press releases. In the first one skip over the bit where Halfords is plugged to bits! (Although all power to their elbow, they jumped on board with Sustrans. OK, so did the ACT and CoBR but at least Halfords can make sure ALL their stores take part in information provision, not all ACT and CoBR members are participating in their organisations events).

The second release concerns the fact-finding mission of overseas transport ministers and other dignitaries as they cycle part of the National Cycle Network in the presence of the DETRs Fred Offen, the tall civil servant who is a cyclist and a great supporter of the industry.

For immediate release: Wednesday June 14th 2000

NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK OPENS IN SEVEN DAYS

In only seven days time, on Wednesday June 21st, the UK will celebrate the opening of the National Cycle Network [1] in a nationwide cycling spectacular. Culture Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Chris Smith, will officially open the 5000-mile Network at 11.00am in Birminghams Centenary Square.

John Grimshaw, Director and Chief Engineer of Sustrans, the charity that has co-ordinated the project, said, "The inauguration of the Network is the beginning of a rediscovery of the bicycle as an efficient, sustainable and thoroughly modern form of transport. All our partners can feel proud they have contributed to this new national resource"

The Ride the Net [2] celebrations, forming part of the Millennium Festival of Cycling, will take place across the UK. Up to 5,000 riders will embark on the Longest Ride on the Longest Day. Over 250 rides will fan out from 70 towns and cities to ride the whole of the Network, including an extra 5,000 miles planned for 2005. The official opening is followed by the Cyclethon, four days of public events involving up to a million people, many organised by national and local charities.

Earlier in the morning the Longest Ride from London will be launched by Under Secretary of State for Transport, Keith Hill MP at the British Airways London Eye with a symbolic Revolution of the Wheel. There will be parallel events in Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Sunderland. (details below)

The National Cycle Network is a Millennium Commission project supported by £43.5m of National Lottery Funds. It is the only project reaching the whole of the UK. The Network includes 5,000 miles of safe, attractive and high quality routes for cyclists and will provide a major new amenity for walkers and wheelchair users. The Network will be extended to 10,000 miles by 2005.

The National Cycle Network is a partnership project involving over 400 local authorities as well as businesses, landowners, environmental bodies and others.

Information on your nearest Network route is now even more accessible thanks to Halfords [3]. Sustrans is working in partnership with the UKs leading cycle retailer to bring the National Cycle Network to you. Every Halfords superstore is now an information centre for the Network.

For further information please contact the Sustrans Press Office on Tel: 0117 927 7555, by e-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk. All Sustrans News Releases are available on the Sustrans website www.sustrans.org.uk

Beta background footage available on request.

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] More information on the National Cycle Network in your local area is available by calling the Sustrans Public Information Line on Tel: 0117 929 0888 or by visiting www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk.

[2] Information on celebration events is available by calling the Sustrans Public Information line on Tel: 0117 929 0888 or visiting www.ridethenet.co.uk.

Ride the Net, with The Longest Ride, Cyclethon, Ride for Health and Varietys Right to Ride Parties, is part of the Millennium Festival of Cycling 17th-25th June The largest celebration of pedal power the UK has ever seen, part funded by the Millennium Commission. Co-ordinated by the CTC for the UKs cycling organisations. Information: Tel: 09068 995 577 www.cyclingfestival.org.uk

[3] Halfords Press Office, Vanessa Dean Tel: 01527 513 272 Fax: 01527 504 780 e-mail vanessa.dean@halfords.co.uk

OPENING OF THE NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK

On Wednesday June 21st the National Cycle Network opens across the UK.

The 5,000-mile Network has been assisted by £43.5m of Lottery funds

BIRMINGHAM

Culture Secretary, Chris Smith officially opens the Network at 11.00am in Birminghams Centenary Square. The MC for the occasion will be newscaster, Jon Snow and among the celebrity guests will be TV personalities Mel and Sue

Riders from the four capitals of the UK will converge in Birmingham bringing the final pieces to complete a huge mosaic of the Network.

UK

At the same time, as part of the Ride the Net celebrations, those who have helped to create the Network will fan out from 70 towns to cycle the 5,000 Millennium Miles as well as a further 5,000 miles planned for 2005. The 5,000 riders, on 250 rides, will be welcomed at nearly 400 local receptions to make up the Longest Ride on the Longest Day.

A CD of still images is available on request.

Beta SP Background footage also available

LONDON

Earlier in the morning, between 6.45 and 8.45, there will be a symbolic Revolution of the Wheel and reception at the London Eye. Transport Minister, Keith Hill will address hundreds of guests and cyclists who will take part in four rides emanating from the Capital, forming the London legs of the Longest Ride.

BELFAST

A ceremony at the Waterfront Hall will follow the launch of the NI Cycling Strategy, organised by the Roads Service. A senior government representative will send riders off on the Longest Ride.

BRISTOL

Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr.Graham Robertson, TV celebrity Adam Hart-Davies will send riders off from the @Bristol site Anchor Square at 10.00am

CARDIFF

A ceremony and reception at Cardiff City Hall. Sue Essex AM, Assembly Secretary for Transport, Planning and Environment will see Longest Ride cyclists off.

EDINBURGH

Lord Provost, Eric Milligan JP and MSPs will send off riders from City Chambers.

SUNDERLAND

Hilary Armstrong MP, Minister for Local Government and the Regions will send riders off from Sunderland AFC Stadium of Light at 10.00am. Riders will then set off on the North East legs of the Longest Ride.

For immediate release: Friday 9th 2000

WORLD COMES TO SEE THE UKS CYCLE NETWORK

Representatives of 16 countries [1] will take part in the international launch of the National Cycle Network by joining a fact finding cycle ride from Oxford to Windsor between June 15th 17th. Delegates from transport ministries, tourist boards, cycle promotion agencies, and journalists [2] will view parts of the new 5,000 mile Network as a curtain-raiser to the official opening which takes place nation-wide on June 21st.

Highlights of the tour include:

* Friday 16th June at 9.00 am – The opening of a section of traffic-free path at Kennington, just outside Oxford. The path was built with the kind permission of the Oxford Preservation Trust and the aid of volunteers and Sustrans supporters during last years Summer Workcamps.

* Friday 11.30am – A visit to Milton Park, a major employment centre that has made excellent progress with green transport policies and is connected to the Network.

* Friday 1.00pm – A presentation on Local Agenda 21 and Safe Routes to Schools, by pupils from Wallingford School, St Georges Road Wallingford.

* Saturday 17th June 12.30pm – New sections of path through land owned by Eton College where the visitors will lunch at Etons new boathouse. Eton College has been extremely supportive of the National Cycle Network.

The National Cycle Network is a Millennium Commission project supported by £43.5m of National Lottery Funds. It is the only project reaching the whole of the UK.

By mid-June 2000 the Network will include 5,000 miles of safe, attractive and high quality routes for cyclists and will provide a major new amenity for walkers and wheelchair users. The Network will be extended to 10,000 miles by 2005. The National Cycle Network is a partnership project involving over 400 local authorities as well as businesses, landowners, environmental bodies and others.

Information on your nearest Network route is now even more accessible thanks to Halfords. Sustrans is working in partnership with the UKs leading cycle retailer to bring the National Cycle Network to you. Every Halfords superstore is now an information centre for the Network.

For further information please contact the Sustrans Press Office on T: 0117 927 7555, by e-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk.

All Sustrans News Releases are available on the Sustrans website www.sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The visitors, all experts in their fields, speak English and will make interesting interviewees. A list of visitors is attached.

[2] Any journalists wishing to join the ride should contact Sustrans Press Office.

United Kingdom National Cycle Network International Launch – June 15-17 2000

Who are the visitors?

Name

Organisation

Country

Fred Offen OBE

Head of Soft Traffic Policy Branch, DETR

Richard Farrant Chair of Sustrans

Walter Leu

Executive Director, European Travel Commission

NOTE: FRIDAY AM ONLY

Europe

Jacques Botte Events manager, Chemins du Rail Belgium

Jean-Francois Pronovost Director General, La Route Verte Canada

Marc Panneton Québec bicycle coordinator, Québec Transport Ministry Canada

Radomira Plisková

Cycle tourism specialist, Transport Research Center

Czech Republic

Robert Muller Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Communication Czech Republic

Jens Erik Larsen

De Frie Fugle

Denmark

Antero Naskila Helsinki City Finland

Philippe Coupy

National Secretary, Association Française de Développement des Véloroutes et Voies Vertes

France

Jean-Marie Tétart Chargé de Mission, inter-Ministerial working group on national cycle routes France

Danielle Delaye

Ministry of Youth and Sport

France

Kalman Katona Former Minister for Transport, Hungary

Riccardo Canesi

Secretary to Minister of Environment

Italy

Riccardo Gallimbeni Ricerche e Progetti Italy

Albano Marcarini

Journalist and cycle planner

Italy

Ferdynand Morski

Director, Union of Municipalities of Upper Silesia and Northern Moravia

Poland

Viera Stupaková

Pre_ovská Bicyklová Skupina Kostitras Slovakia

Appolonia Sejkova Coordinator, Trans-Carpathian Cycle Route Slovakia

Carmen Aycart

ditto

Spain

Christer H_den WALCYNG project work leader Lund University Sweden

Thomas Ledergerber

Velobüro

Switzerland

Jürg Tschopp

Verkehrs Club der Schweiz

Switzerland

Jeff Olson Project director, US Millennium Trails USA