Make every ride count this May with the Bike Month Challenge

Love to Ride’s Bike Month Challenge is back, encouraging us all to #MakeEveryRideCount this May.

Cyclists can earn points for every ride they take throughout May and for encouraging others to get on their bikes! Individuals and workplace teams can cycle their way up a national leaderboard to win fantastic prizes.

Celebrating Love to Ride’s new app

Love to Ride is a free cycling encouragement and behaviour change platform and has recently launched an app that helps users track their rides and progress.

The app can automatically track your route and time, making it easier than ever to monitor your progress and share your wins with other cyclists. Its “rate my routes” feature also allows users to let Essex County Council know how safe they feel while using their local roads and cycle paths.

Earn points to climb the leaderboard and win prizes

Participants will earn one point for every mile cycled and ten points for every day they ride. Extra points can be earned by encouraging other app users (50 points) or by encouraging new riders to sign up (100 points). More points mean more entries into the prize draw.

Visit Love to Ride to find out more about the amazing prizes up for grabs, including the grand prize of £2,000.

Route ratings shared with Essex County Council

Data from the Love to Ride app’s “rate my routes” feature will be anonymised and shared with Essex County Council, making it easier to report what works and what doesn’t in Chelmsford’s cycling network.

By sharing feedback on your routes, you can help to shape safer, more efficient infrastructure for everyone.

How to take part in the challenge

Joining the Bike Month Challenge is simple:

• Download the Love to Ride app
• Enjoy a bike ride anywhere, any time
• Use the "rate my routes" feature to provide feedback on streets and paths
• Earn points with every bike ride that will turn into prize draw entries
• Encourage others to get involved to earn more points and prize entries
• Create a profile for your workplace to take part in a bit of fun competition, too!

What if you’re new to cycling?

Whether you ride every day or haven't been on a bike in years, everyone can take part in the Bike Month Challenge.

Love to Ride’s experts have helped people worldwide get into cycling. The Love to Ride website and app have lots of resources to help people ride out with confidence, including articles full of tips and quick courses.

There are so many benefits to riding a bike. According to Love to Ride, when taking part in the Bike Month Challenge you can expect:

• Improved physical health – even a ten-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
• Saving money – the challenge will help you cut down on transport costs and car maintenance
• Protecting the planet – reduce your carbon footprint by leaving the car at home

A great way to begin a summer of cycling

The Bike Month Challenge is just the beginning of a summer of cycling!

Chelmsford City Council has a varied cycling program for summer 2024, with family cycling activities, giveaways and a RideLondon celebration event all coming soon. Visit our website to learn more about our Cycle for Summer programme.

If you want to take part in the Bike Month Challenge, download the Love to Ride app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to get started!

Visit www.lovetoride.net to learn more about the challenge and access their cycling guidance.