"Last year more than 3,500 men and women in Leipzig took part in the campaign, which is aimed at promoting a cyclist-friendly, pro-environmental city. This year more than 160 teams have already signed up for the event and we are expecting a record number of participants," says Leipzig's Mayor for Environmental Affairs, Heiko Rosenthal.
Nico Singer, Chief Executive Officer of Ökolöwe, is also optimistic: "This year we want to reach a joint total of one million kilometres cycled." Last year Leipzig managed almost 800,000 kilometres, putting it fourth out of the 200 municipalities taking part in the national competition. Three of the 50 best Leipzig teams which cycle the most kilometres stand a chance of winning 500 euros from the organisers.
This year's competition kicks off with the Leipziger Radnacht - the Leipzig Cycling Night. Everyone in Leipzig is cordially invited to join in this mass bike ride on Friday, 13 June, which starts at 8.30 p.m. on the square by St Nicholas Church. "Together we want to send out a clear signal that we support a cyclist-friendly, pro-environmental Leipzig," says Mayor for Environmental Affairs, Heiko Rosenthal. The eight-kilometre bike ride is organised and run by ADFC Leipzig. The bike ride ends at the Sachsenbrücke bridge, where there will be live music and drinks.