The programme kicks-off on Saturday the 28th of August and involves an active five weeks of events across Oxfordshire to inspire more people to cycle for fun, health and everyday journeys. Shaw Gibbs have partnered with the charity as they run a social-cycling networking group with weekday rides every couple of months.

Nik Ioannidis, Audit Associate Director for the accountancy practice comments

“We have all developed renewed enthusiasm for our surroundings and our chosen sport/ mean of transport through lockdown and we are pleased to be able to bring our passion into our business through the social-cycling events as a way of meeting other local professionals in an informal setting. 

These events tie in with our commitment to mental and physical wellbeing and the health of our local and global environment. When we saw that Cyclox were harnessing similar values, we were keen to be involved.”

The Celebration will run from 28th August to 4th October, marking a renaissance in cycling that has emerged throughout the pandemic. Over five weeks, there will be organised rides, cycle maintenance sessions, online talks, film screenings, and community-led events. The final day of the Celebration will coincide with stage one of the Women’s Tour of Britain that will race from Bicester to Banbury via Oxford. 

Cyclox is pedalling alongside its partners: BicesterBUG, British Cycling, Broken Spoke Bike Co-op, JoyRiders Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, University of Oxford, Wheels for All, and the Windrush Bike Project. The Celebration is supported by Shaw Gibbs with funding from Active Oxfordshire, Cycling UK, the University of Oxford, and the Midcounties Co-operative Community Support Donation Fund. 

There is something for everyone who wants to cycle: young and old, confident and less confident, able and less able.

Highlights include:

• 96 free cycle maintenance sessions across 4 dates on Broad Meadow (28th Aug and 11th Sept), Barton Neighbourhood Centre (25th Sept) and Rose Hill Community Centre (2nd Oct), 10am-4pm.

• Extended inclusive cycling sessions with Wheels for All Oxford every Friday from 10am-2pm at Horspath Athletics Track.
• Bicester Bike Users Group are hosting a screening of the award-winning cargo bike documentary MOTHERLOAD at Coles Books, Fri 10th Sept, 7pm.
• Two women’s only beginner-plus rides with JoyRiders Oxford on Sat 11th Sept, departing at 9.30am from Barton and Littlemore.
• Three shows with the Puppet Pedlar, Emma Boor, at a day of Cyclox activities 10am-4pm.
•  A family-friendly traffic light free Oxford city cycle ride led by Cyclox Chair, Alison Hill, Sun 12th Sept, departing Broad Meadow, 10am.
•  E-bike tryouts with Windrush Bike Project, Sat 11th Sept, 11am-3pm, Charlbury Primary School.
• Rose Hill Cycling Festival on Sat 18th Sept from 12-2pm, will include a pop-up workshop with Broken Spoke Bike Co-op and led cycle rides by the Cowley Road Condors Cycling Club.
• An online public lecture organised by Oxford Brookes, ‘Bamboo Bike Revival: Back to the Future’, Weds 29th Sept, 6-7pm.