CYCLISTS of all ages will bring more colour and shiny Christmas bling to Southampton when they meet for the city’s annual Glow Ride.

More than 70 riders have signed up this year to take part in Glow Ride which is organised by My Journey, Southampton City Council’s sustainable travel brand.

Due to such a high interest in the event this year, additional ride leader volunteers were found to enable additional places to be added as places for the ride filled up within days of opening.

The annual cycling event invites participants to ‘bling up’ their bikes with lights, glow in the dark accessories and festive decorations before heading off on a glimmering evening ride.

As well as being a seasonal celebration of cycling, the event is an important reminder of the ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’ safety message which encourages cyclists to be visible whilst cycling in the darker winter months.

Setting off from Guildhall Square at 5pm on December 8, bikes festooned with seasonal decorations and glow in the dark accessories will light up Southampton City Centre on a loop that takes in the parks and some on road sections.

Pete Boustred, Head of Green City and Infrastructure, said: “It’s extremely satisfying to see so many people have signed up to enjoy Glow Ride this year.

"Glow Ride does a great job of highlighting the importance of being visible when cycling in a fun way and encourages people to continue cycling in the winter months.”

Anyone who has not booked onto Glow Ride but wants to improve their cycling or get advice about their bike can do so without a ticket before the event in Guildhall Square with the ‘Try a bike’ and ‘Bikeagility’ courses which are available from 4pm.

here will be a range of stalls, giveaways and prizes with Love to Ride's 'Spin the Wheel' game and the Bike Doctor will be on hand to deliver free bike safety checks and cure any cycling winter woes.

The Cycle Southampton team will also be there to talk about next year’s Sporterium.

Glow Ride itself will set off from Guildhall Square at 5pm and finish at 7pm.