Residents urged to get back in the saddle
Leicestershire residents with a New Year resolution to get fit are being urged to get on their bikes and ride. People who want to save on gym fees and avoid paying petrol costs are being encouraged by the County Council to explore some of the great cycle routes for leisure and commuting in the area.
A list of top trails put together by the council include:
- ·The Sustrans Connect2 routes around Watermead Country Park: Connect2 is a five year project to improve links in and around the park. Cycling through Watermead can cut journey times between communities (Birstall to Syston for example)
- ·The Great Central Way: This well-used off-road route links Glen Parva, Blaby and beyond with the city centre
- ·The Cloud Trail: This pleasant route runs from Worthington in North West Leicestershire into the heart of Derby along the River Derwent by using the disused Derby, Melbourne and Ashby Branch Railway
Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: There are some great cycle routes in the county which can be used for both leisure and commuting.
If you have resolved to get back in the saddle this year, or are thinking of riding for the first time, why not make short journeys to work or the shops by bike instead of taking the car?
It will save you money and help you get fit at the same time!”
For details on cycle routes in Leicestershire visit www.leics.gov.uk/cycling
Leicester and Leicestershire residents are also invited to join the Leicester Shire Cycle Challenge: www.leicestershirecyclechallenge.org.uk, a fun and free competition to see who can get the most members of staff cycling for at least ten minutes.
Businesses will compete to win individual and team prizes, including cinema tickets for the first 500 new cyclists who log a bike ride. This is the second year of the competition which last year involved 50 businesses of all sizes – from two to 11,000 employees.
There will be free membership of Leicester Town Hall Bike Park in 2011 for people signing up and logging trips before May.