The #cyclingtheextramile campaign has been created by Cycling Industries Europe as part of its efforts to thank cycling and cycling businesses who support their communities, health and care workers, and other essential services during the COVID19 pandemic. It is supported by the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI), the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF), European Cycle Logistics Federation (ECLF), the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Europe and the World Federation Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).
Kevin Mayne, our CEO, said:
“We are hearing so much about the people, organisations and companies who are making extraordinary efforts and personal sacrifices during the COVID19 pandemic. The cycling community is no different, working to support these essential workers, serve their communities and keep people on bikes. Imagine if we can tell all those amazing people and companies that we recognise their work. They are not alone, they are not isolated, they are part of this great community of cycling. We realised that there was nowhere that we could all come together and do that, so we have created #cyclingtheextramile to be a simple message of recognition, of support and of thanks that we can all share. I invite everyone in our global cycling community to add their message.”
Across the globe there are daily stories about businesses that are providing free bikes to health care workers, delivering food and medicines to isolated people, repairing bikes for essential travel, and keeping bike share open to get essential workers safely home from work. There are volunteers, local community groups and individuals who are using bikes to support essential services and their neighbours, all at their own cost. Campaigns by ECF and CONEBI in Europe and by People for Bikes in the US have highlighted the role of bike shops as essential businesses.
These actions mean that individuals and employees carry on working, even if they put themselves at some personal risk. Companies keep providing essential services even when it costs them money, because they have to pay wages or they refuse state aid that they would get if they close.
Jill Warren, co-CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation said:
“This crisis is touching on some of the most important things in our everyday lives: our mobility, our economy, the way we socialise with others. Once again, cycling is revealing to be a great ally, supporting local communities all over the world with some of the things they need most in these moments. We want to acknowledge this contribution to society: this is our way to say thank you”
The partners say that #cyclingtheextramile is a way for the whole cycling sector to say Thank you for #cyclingtheextramile on every social media post, on every platform. They encourage everyone to do the same - all tweets will appear on the live Twitter feed on the #cyclingtheextramile page.