Stockport businesses encouraged to switch cars for handlebars during May’s Bike Month Challenge

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging Stockport businesses to join the Love to Ride Bike Month Challenge in May 2023.

Bike Month Challenge is a fun, friendly competition that takes place each year all about helping more people to discover (or rediscover) the joys and benefits of riding a bike. The campaign sees workplaces across Greater Manchester compete against each other and internally to switch cars for handlebars throughout May, with prizes up for grabs from new bike gear to £2,000 cash!

It doesn’t matter if employees are in the office, working from home, or working full or part-time: the Bike Month Challenge is about getting more people riding bikes where they can.

Last year, 47,819 riders and 7,829 workplaces took part in the challenge.

Getting involved with the Bike Month Challenge is easy:

• Staff can register for the challenge and join your workplace profile
• It’s not about the number of miles you ride, it’s about having fun and encouraging others to discover the joys of riding a bike
• Once someone has been for a ride, they log it on their profile, or the Love to Ride app will do it automatically (iOS app currently available and Android coming soon)
• Participation is key – the workplaces with the highest percentage of staff participation will top the leaderboards
• There are amazing prizes up for grabs to anyone that takes part, regardless of their riding experience!

There are so many benefits to be enjoyed from riding a bike, and the Bike Month Challenge is about embracing each and every one of them, such as:

?? Supercharged physical health – even a 10-minute bike ride will boost your immune system, improve cardiovascular health, and help you live longer

? Improved mental health – riding a bike is a mindful activity that promotes the release of endorphins and can reduce the causes of depression

? Reduced stress and anxiety – biking can calm the mind, improve self-confidence, and elevate your mood

? Protecting the planet – reduce your carbon footprint by leaving the car at home

? Saving money – cut down on transport costs and car maintenance

Getting involved with the Bike Month Challenge is easy: just go to lovetoride.net to create a free profile and register for the challenge. There’s a Love to Ride app for iOS, too (Android coming soon)! It’s available to download here.