Festival of Cycling and Half Term Fun at Coventry Transport Museum

There's lots to do at Coventry Transport Museum, as part of the UK-wide Museums & Galleries Month in May including an action-packed Half Term as everyone gets on their bikes and goes cycle crazy!

Kicking off the week-long celebration of the humble cycle is the Museum's first ever Festival of Cycling on Sunday 25th May. The day will be packed with cycle-tastic activities including slow races, where you have to ride as slowly as you can - which is actually more difficult than it sounds! There's also an opportunity to have a go at unicycling and the chance to try out a penny farthing. You can also meet characters in costumes who will tell you all about the correct dress for riding a bike and have your photograph taken on a genuine Victorian cycle (charge applies).

As part of the Festival, the Museum is delighted to play host to Coventry-born veteran cycling legend Mick Ives. Mick will be speaking about his passion for cycling and telling his incredible story from 4pm on 25th May. Tickets are free of charge but are limited and should be booked in advance by calling 024 7623 4270.

Steve Bagley, Head of Collections & Learning at the Museum said: "We're really excited about the launch of our very first Festival of Cycling here at the Museum. Coventry has such a rich heritage when it comes to cycles that it only seems right for us to be hosting this event, and if it proves popular with our visitors we hope to expand the event in future years."

The Museum's events continue along the cycle theme and from 25th - 30th May kids can take part in the 'Bling Your Bike' competition - to enter the competition, decorate your bike in whatever style you want and take it down to the Museum where it will be photographed. You can leave your bike with the Bling team whilst you visit the Museum and then, at the end of the week, the bikes will be judged and the owners of the most blinged up bikes will receive a prize. Prizes for the competition include a £100 voucher to spend at Coventry Cycle Centre, cycling accessories donated by Mike Vaughan Cycles of Kenilworth and tickets to Hatton Country World.

There's also a bike-themed quiz throughout the week and on Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th, you can take part in bicycle inspired craft activities including the opportunity to make funny noises out of bicycle parts…! (a nominal charge will apply for quiz and craft activities). To round off the week-long celebration members of the Curatorial team will lead two evening cycling heritage tours around the city - places are limited.

For further information call 024 7623 4270 or visit our website: www.transport-museum.com