Cycle around the World this May - without leaving Scotland!

This year's annual May Challenge organised by Glasgow City Council is looking for participants to virtually cycle around the world in an effort to promote the benefits of cycling, an active lifestyle and smarter travel options.

This Sunday - 28 April - George Square will be closed to traffic from 7am - 6pm to host a free May Around the World launch event with a host of activities on offer for citizens and visitors to the city to take part - running from 10.30am - 16.30pm.

Activities include MTB/BMX Pump Track, Climbing Wall, eBike Try out, Bike Set Up Dr Bike, NextBike Promotions, Cycle Training Play on Pedals, Play Outdoors, Face Painting, Freefall AirBag and the Heart Radio Paparazzi Wall.

The council has organised the annual May Challenge for the last few years - a month long initiative that has young and old alike from Glasgow and beyond signing up to take on the challenge.

This year, the challenge is based around a virtual around the world cycle tour.

The Naviki app based challenge aims to encourage new and existing cyclists to get out on their bikes to take part in all types of cycling including commuting to work and study to just enjoying a family ride in the local park.

The total distance to cover in one month is just over 42,000 km with the route calculated from city to city and based on what would be possible to ride. Flight distance is not counted!

All types of cycling counts and people from right across the Clyde Valley can take part.

You can check the postcode link on the website to check if you are eligible to take part.

People can compete as an individual or part of a team with led rides, Dr Bike events and themed prizes throughout the month of May to motivate people to get out on their bike.

A full event timetable can be found on the website.

Not only does the challenge provide the perfect backdrop to encourage increased participation but in addition, information from the challenge will be used by Glasgow City Council to help develop our cycle network across the city.

Collin Little, Travel Plan Officer, Glasgow City Council said: "The benefits from cycling are wide ranging and it's the ideal activity for everyone to get involved in - regardless of age or ability!

"The challenge is a great opportunity to get healthier as well as contributing to the development of cycling in and around the city.

"We want to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the challenge. Come along to the launch day on Sunday 28 April. There will be lots of fun things to do and there will be different types of cycles to try out too."

Visit the smart travel website for more information.