BOURNEMOUTH will be holding its second night bike ride this year as part of the Wheels Festival.

Following a similar event last year, the Wheels Night Ride will involve three events on the evening of the final day of the event, which runs from May 24-26.

Kicking it off will be the free Bears on Bikes community ride, raising cash for Round Table Children’s Wish. It starts at Boscombe Pier on the Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, at 6.30pm.

Participants are encouraged to bring their bikes dressed with a bear to ride on the seafront and around closed roads in the town centre – register at rtcw.org At 7.40pm that night, the town centre will be transformed into a racing circuit, starting with the Wheels Relay Challenge, involving 12 teams of four riders – register at bournemouthwheels .co.uk/take-part From 8.25pm, top cyclists will take part in an elite race around the town and any professional riders can register to take part.

The culmination of the night will be the free Nightglow procession from Pier Approach at 9.30pm, where people of all ages are encouraged to decorate their bike and themselves in brightly-lit, glow-in-the-dark accessories. Fireworks will end the night at 10.15pm.

Jo-Anne Downing, of British Cycling, said: “We’re very pleased that Bournemouth will be hosting an evening of cycling as part of the Wheels Festival and are proud to be supporting it.

“It is great to see cycling being recognised as one of the top attractions at this fantastic event, with an area dedicated to a cycling village where people can find out about getting involved in this exhilarating sport.”

Cllr Michael Filer, portfolio holder for transport at Bournemouth council, added: “Last year’s event saw thousands of people of all ages take to the streets of Bournemouth on two wheels and this year we are expecting it to be even bigger and brighter.”

The Coastal Business Improvement District is the Festival Partner for Bournemouth Wheels Festival and Wheels Night Ride is also supported by Getting About, British Cycling, and Morgan Sindall.