University helping peddle the joys and benefits of cycling

Events throughout the day include a Community 'Bike Train' ride, a Cycle-to-School training initiative for teachers and teaching assistants, women-led/women only bike rides, plus events for both beginner and intermediate riders.

The university's Dr Marlon Moncrieffe – a former elite champion cyclist – has created and will lead the Cycling For Schools project to help local teaching staff become cycling advocates as part of accredited continuing professional development. Aiming to make Brighton & Hove one of the cycle-to-school capitals of Britain, this free training will run 10am to 4pm on 12 June, and is backed by British Cycling and Sustrans, as well as Brighton & Hove City Council.

Dr Marlon Moncrieffe with his Sunday Times book win

The university's Falmer campus will also provide the start and end point for a Community Family Bike Train event led by the Brighton Bike Hub. Starting around 1pm at the Falmer rugby pitches (by Falmer station), the Bike Train will follow a leisurely five-mile route to Stanmer Park and back, taking around an hour.

Events will start at 1015 on 12 June with a beginner cyclist event under the Let's Ride banner, with participants pedalling from Falmer to Woodingdean. More experienced riders, meanwhile, can take part in a longer Let's Ride event from Falmer to Lewes and back, starting at 1430. The university has also teamed up with British Cycling to organise BREEZE women led/women only rides. Further details and how to sign up for these events at Let's Ride.

Dr Marlon Moncrieffe, Principal Lecturer in the University of Brighton's School of Education, said: “The cycling community have come together to create this event. It's set to be a wonderful celebration of cycling.”

Last month, Dr Moncrieffe's 2021 book Desire, Discrimination and Determination: Black Champions In Cycling - delving into the overlooked history of leading black cyclists – won the prestigious Sunday Times Cycling Book of the Year award for 2022. The book was also longlisted last year for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, the world’s longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize.