HUNDREDS OF children from schools across the district have taken part in a cycling competition as part of the build-up to the UCI Road World Championships coming to Bradford.

The competition, organised by Bradford Council’s Sport and Cultures Adventure Development Unit, is being held until tomorrow at Horsfall Sports Stadium.

Children from 12 primary schools - Westminster C of E, Merlin Top, Fagley, Bowling Park, Parkwood, Lapage, Lower Fields, Copthorne, Horton Park, Burley Oaks, Reevy Hill and Victoria - were taking part.

Three schools with teams of eight boys and eight girls are competing on each day and the races follow the format of professional races with events in Individual Time Trial, Team Time Trial, Individual Pursuit and an Endurance Race.

All those taking part will receive a certificate and there will be medals for the winners which will be awarded at the end of each day.

The overall winning school will be presented with a framed UCI Rainbow T-shirt during the World Championships.

All the children taking part will be encouraged to also join in other events being held to celebrate the prestigious Women Elite Race coming to the district on Saturday, September 28.

These include Bradford’s Big Bike Ride on Sunday, September 22, in the city centre, the start of the Women Elite Race in City Park and a Pedal and Picnic event being held in Lister Park for when the Women Elite Road Race passes through.

The Bradford Council-organised Big Bike Ride is a fun, free, available-to-all cycle ride giving the public a chance to ride on vehicle-free streets around the city centre from 11am until 3pm.

The ride starting from City Park aims to get people of all ages to be active, enjoy the freedom cycling brings and take in the sights of the city whilst getting involved in the build up to the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.

With elite races for women and men passing through Bradford district on September 28 and 29, it’s an opportunity to ride the same roads as the world’s best just days before.

There will be two routes participants can take, a 2.5km family friendly course and the second is a more challenging 4km route.

There will be fun activities for the whole family including a Climbing Wall and Spider Mountain (climbing activity, maze and slide). Bradford Youth Service will be providing guided rides and the chance for participants without a bike to access one.

Cycling 4 All will be providing adapted cycles for mixed ability riders and Bradford’s Capital of Cycling Project will be providing bike maintenance on the day.

The city’s cycling clubs and recreational community clubs will be showing their support by getting involved with the ride too.

Bradford’s Big Bike Ride 2019 aims to be a legacy event for the 2019 UCI Road World Championships by becoming an annual event. It is also part of British Cycling and Sport England’s #OwnTheRide legacy campaign which aims to inspire more people from all walks of life to ride their bike before, during and after the Championships.

Bradford’s Big Bike Ride also celebrates World Car Free Day. It is hoped that participants of the cycle ride will enjoy using another form of transport in and around the city.

To find out more information about Bradford’s Big Bike Ride 2019 and book tickets visit: https://bradfordsbigbikeride.wescantickets.com/.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “Events like these help make being active part of the normal day for children in the district to ensure our children are living well.

“This is a fun event for the whole family. While cycling around the city centre you can delight in what the city centre has to offer while admiring the architectural heritage and afterwards enjoy the activities which are taking place.

“We are proud that Bradford has been chosen to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships. We are excited and looking forward to it coming to the city. Bradford’s Big Bike Ride will be a great legacy event for the road world championships in the years to come to be enjoyed by the people of Bradford.”

The Pedal and Picnic in Lister Park on Saturday, September 28, from 10am to 2pm will see families bringing a picnic to watch the Women’s Elite Road Race as it comes through Lister Park with lots of fun, free family friendly activities.

There will be a Wacky Mile and A Smoothie Bike, and the chance to dress your own bike and take part in art and craft activities. There will also be ten different sports in taster sessions happening throughout the park.

The public are also being invited to a free community celebration cycle and pedal-powered cinema at 5pm on Friday, September 27, when there will be a led ride from Bradford Capital of Cycling along the city’s new £3.1m Canal Road Cycleway to Saltaire Brewery for the pedal-powered cinema.

The team behind the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to travel by bike or on foot has joined forces with Bradford Capital of Cycling for the event, which will celebrate the community’s contribution to grassroots cycling.

People are invited to come along to the Brewery Tap on Dockfield Road, from 6pm, with the film being shown from 7.30pm onwards.

Saltaire Brewery’s bike parking was funded through CityConnect’s Bike Friendly Business scheme, which provides tailored advice and support, as well as grants of up to £5,000, to help organisations be more cycle friendly.

Audience members are being asked to select their film of choice by placing a vote on the Facebook event page prior to the event and they will also be encouraged to take it in turns to use their pedal power to keep the film running.

Providing a missing link in cycling infrastructure between Shipley and Bradford, the Canal Road Cycleway was built as part of the Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “It’s wonderful to see our region, which has become so synonymous with cycling, for good reason, being put on the map again thanks to another world class sporting event.

“Cycling is not just for the professionals though and we know our challenge lies in translating the momentum around these large scale events into change on the ground.

“Through our CityConnect programme, our Combined Authority is working in partnership to create an environment conducive to everyday cycling for everyone, regardless of ability or circumstances. This is the true legacy of the Tour de France, the Tour de Yorkshire and now the UCIs - a legacy we, alongside our partners, are delivering for future generations.”