Cyclists gear up for record attempt
Thousands of cyclists are gearing up to put Ireland into the record books with the largest ever parade of bicycles, it was revealed today.
Organisers have called for more than 2,284 people to turn out in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Sunday morning to wrestle the crown from the current holder Taipei City, Taiwan.
The Guinness World Record attempt, part of National Bike Week, is backed by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey.
“This will not only put Ireland on the cycling map but it will demonstrate the potential start of a new culture of cycling in Ireland,” he said.
“I want to see 10% of all trips to work being made by bike within the next 12 years.”
The world record parade begins at the Papal Cross at 11am on Sunday with a huge swathe of Phoenix Park closed off in a bid to beat the previous total set in Taipei in July 2007.
A spokesman for Cycling Ireland, one of the organisers, said: “We hope people will come along. The day is designed for a family day out and to raise awareness of cycling to encourage people to get on their bike.”
The parade is being held as part of national bike week runs from June 14-19 and includes a series of events in towns and cities to encourage people to cycle.
