Company, which operates across the Merseyrail network, is holding the event on Sunday, May 13, in West Kirby and Thurstaston to promote the benefits of cycling as part of Mental Health Awareness Week

Bicycle hire operator Bike & Go is offering a free bike ride and mindfulness session in Wirral this weekend as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

The company offers bikes for hire at Merseyrail stations across Merseyside and is holding the event on Sunday, May 13, in South Wirral to promote the mental health benefits that cycling can bring.

Participants will meet at 10am at West Kirby Station where they will be allocated a Bike & Go bike free of charge for the ride, before cycling to Thurstaston for refreshments and then on to West Kirby beach for a mindfulness taster session followed by a picnic.

The event is expected to last approximately three hours, and everyone is welcome, although participants must register in advance by 4pm on Thursday, May 10.

Cycling has long been recognised as a great way of boosting mental health, with a Cycling UK survey published last year revealing that 91% of its 11,482 respondents rating off-road cycling as fairly or very important for their mental health.

Research published in the journal Preventive Medicine also found that people who walked or cycled to work benefited from improved mental well-being compared to those who travelled by car.

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between May 14-20, and with this year’s focus being on stress and how to cope with it, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a bike ride.

David O’Leary, director of Bike & Go, said: “We’re inviting all members of the community to experience the mental health benefits that cycling can bring, while making new friends over coffee, cake and a spot of meditation too.”

To secure a place, email Lorna Young at lyoung@merseyrail.org