
CycleFest at MotoFest to offer opportunity to enjoy unique sprint circuit cycle ride experience
CycleFest at MotoFest will see two hugely popular Coventry events join forces to offer thousands of riders the opportunity to take part in a ride around the unique Ring Road sprint circuit.
For the first time ever, the free CycleFest event will be integrated into the MotoFest, in partnership with E.ON Drive, festival weekend on Saturday 10th September, with the previous daytime ride becoming an exciting new twilight ride experience.
The free to attend daytime CycleFest programme from 10am will feature a Cycling Expo, with a Go Ride skills course, a learn to ride area, e bikes, e cargo bikes and various cycling activities, including pedal your own smoothie and a free bicycle health check with Dr Bike.
Moving into the also free evening session, the MotoFest Sprint Circuit on the Coventry Ring Road will be opened up for cyclists to ride their bicycles in a safe environment. As with the previous seven public cycle events, there will be the opportunity to ride on the traffic free Ring Road from 7.30pm, but this time with a unique MotoFest twist to it.
The new 3.7km circuit, starting from Greyfriars Green opposite Coventry Railway Station, includes uphills, downhills, turns and chicanes and will use both sides of the Ring Road, rather than the one lap format featured at previous events. The sprint circuit will be transformed into a family friendly cycling space from 7.30 – 9.30pm and is the perfect opportunity for the next generation to learn to cycle safely at night.
As a family event children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, with five years old the recommended minimum age for riders. Those adults wanting to bring along children under five may do so providing they are secured in a child seat, trailer or cargo bike. Some cargo bikes with seats for two small children will be available to hire at the event.
The integration of CycleFest into MotoFest is part of this year’s festival commitment to showcasing sustainable future transport solutions. This will include displays featuring the latest alternatively fueled vehicles, electric cars and advanced automotive technology.
The new future technology zone, based in the main Greyfriars Green festival site, will see exhibitors committed to showcasing the latest electric vehicles and motorcycles. Many of those two and four wheeled exhibits will also take part in dynamic displays on the main Sprint Circuit and the motorsport and drift arenas.
The festival weekend will also provide the finale for ‘Our Future Moves’, a project involving Coventry City Council, MotoFest Coventry and other regional partners, which showcases the region’s work in world leading transport innovation, though a year-long celebration of events and activities.
Our Future Moves was officially launched in July 2021, with a major exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum. It also formed part of the first weekend of MotoFest Month 2021, which included motorcycle and car themed events.
The focus on sustainable transport solutions and future technologies is an integral part of the past, present and future theme that underpins this year’s MotoFest in partnership with E.ON Drive festival. Alongside the future technologies and performance vehicles showcased, there will also be the traditional classic car, modern classics and motorcycle static displays across the city centre.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events at Coventry City Council said: “We know MotoFest is always a popular, well-attended event and its fitting that such a big celebration of our transport heritage and future innovation takes place in Coventry city centre.
“I’m pleased to see that the city’s CycleFest event will form part of the overall offering over the weekend so more people will be able to make the most of their time spent here whether as a local resident or a visitor to Coventry.
“It’s been another amazing year already for events in Coventry and MotoFest is another great element of our city events programme especially as it will tie-in with the Heritage Open Days activity in that weekend. “
James Noble, MotoFest Coventry Festival Director, said: “Our partnership with Coventry City Council, will see CycleFest at MotoFest taking place at the main festival for the first time.
“This free to attend, family friendly event is a fantastic opportunity to ride a section of the closed Ring Road on one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport available.
“The CycleFest at MotoFest programme is a perfect fit with our sustainable transport solutions focus for this year’s event. We are really looking forward to rolling out this new part of the festival, in particular the cycling ride out onto the main sprint circuit, which I am sure will create one of the most memorable spectacles of the festival weekend.”
For more information on the CycleFest at MotoFest event here
For 2022, E.ON Drive is the lead brand partner for the MotoFest Coventry festival. E.ON Drive provides electric vehicle charging solutions to customers at home, at work and on the go. This includes the supply and install of a range of electric vehicle chargers – fast, rapid and ultra-fast – all of which can be accessed via mobile app, RFID card or on a pay-as-you go basis.
MotoFest in partnership with E.ON Drive is a two-day free festival dedicated to the city of Coventry’s motoring heritage, taking place on Saturday 10th September and Sunday 11th September 2022. It will feature a unique blend of motorsport demonstrations, static displays, live music, culture and many other elements all with a connection to Coventry, transport and the city’s motoring heritage.