Limerick City Bicycle Parade

Limerick City Bicycle Parade 2011

Upwards of 1,000 cyclists , young and old , assembled outside King Johns Castle at midday on Sunday June 26thfor the annual Limerick City Bicycle Parade. Although it seemed unlikely in the days leading up to the event, the sun came out in full force and the people of Limerick and the surrounding towns and villages came along in their droves to make it the largest bike parade held in the city to date.

Many came in fancy dress, others came along on bikes they made themselves, and some came in full racing gear ( perhaps not realising that the Tour de France was still a week away)

The Limerick City Bicycle Parade is an annual family -oriented event organised by Limerick City Council as part of National Bike Week. The aim is to promote cycling in the city and to encourage young and not so young to get on their bikes and to embrace cycling as a viable , healthy alternative to motorised transport.

AC/DC's Thunderstruck got the adrenaline flowing , as local rugby legend Councillor Gerry McLoughlin sent the enthusiastic bikers on their way. The crowd set off from outside the castle and made their way through the historic medieval city , along Nicholas Street, past the ancient and magnificent St Marys Cathedral before turning right on to Bridge Street towards the Hunt Museum.

It was a sight to behold as the thousand strong army proceeded down along Patrick Street and O'Connell Street, the main thoroughfare of the city, on their way to the Peoples Park. The local Garda traffic corps did an excellent job at keeping the bewildered Sunday drivers at bay at the various junctions along the route until the last of the slower cyclists had made their way to the Park.

There the party got into full swing. The kids took to the bouncy castles ( not one , not two but 6 had been set up) while adults opted to queue for ice-creams. For the next few hours , the crowd mingled , talked about cycling, the weather and much besides. Many simply basked in the warm sunshine in the beautiful city centre setting that is the Peoples Park. Once the raffles and competitions were all over and Sunday dinners beckoned, they gradually made their way home , on two wheels, looking forward to an even bigger parade in 2012.

Limerick City Council