Councillor Donna McGettigan, Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District launching Shannon’s participation in World Bicycle Day with (from left): Kevin Conlon, Fine Grain Property; Alan Farrell, Clare County Council; Conor Healy, Nova Systems; Anne Griffin, Clare County Council and Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Employees of Shannon-based companies are being invited to pedal their way to lunch on Wednesday, 5 June to mark Shannon’s participation in World Bicycle Day.

This annual global celebration of the humble two-wheeler dates to 2018 when the UN declared this as a special day to promote sustainable mobility and health. On this day, cyclists around the world organise events, rides, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness and appreciation for the benefits of cycling.

In a concerted effort to promote sustainable transport, healthy living and business networking amongst its members, Shannon Chamber is now calling on employees of Shannon companies to become part of this global celebration by partaking in a cycle from Shannon Free Zone to Shannon Town Centre during lunchtime on 5 June, commencing at 12:30pm.

Chamber CEO Helen Downes explains: “Shannon is delighted to be participating in World Bicycle Day for the first time, thanks to a collaboration between the Chamber, Clare County Council, Fine Grain Property, Shannon Town Centre, HSE, CoMotion, and Clare Sports Partnership.

“Sustainability is high on our agenda as a chamber so what better way to promote this than by asking our members to embrace cycling and join fellow members in appreciating this simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally sustainable means of transport.

“We are calling on as many of our members as possible to join us on the day, using either their own bike or one of the 50 CoMotion bikes positioned around Shannon. In fact, CoMotion is kindly offering FREE access to the Shannon scheme for the week commencing 3 June to Friday, 7 June, so no excuses for not participating.

“Cyclists will assemble at the former Molex car park, opposite Aerogen, at 12:30pm and proceed via the overpass to Drumgeely Road and onwards to Shannon Town Centre where they can purchase light lunch from one of the food trucks, followed by an ice cream cone, kindly sponsored by Fine Grain Property. They can also avail of a free health check with the HSE or attend a bike clinic with Shane from the Bike Doc.

“They can then make their way back to their respective companies fully energised and having made new business connections. We invite all companies in Shannon to participate in this inaugural event for Shannon,” adds Ms Downes.

To gauge the numbers joining the cycle, Shannon Chamber is asking people to register their participation via the chamber website at www.shannonchamber.ie/events-training/