Teignbridge supports Cycle to Work Day
Cycling is being celebrated in Teignbridge as people are encouraged to ditch the car and get on two wheels for Cycle to Work Day on Thursday 4 September.
Cycle to Work Day is a national event championed by multi gold winning Paralympic medallist Dame Sarah Storey and is aimed at getting people to cycle into work for just one day.
Teignbridge is hoping people will use it as a great way to change their habits and explore the district's trails and cycle paths.
Last year’s event saw tens of thousands of cyclists taking part nationally, resulting in some pretty impressive statistics. Over a quarter of a million miles were pledged, nearly 7,000kg of CO2 were offset and over 12 million calories were burnt.
Supported by British Cycling, Sustrans, Bicycle Association and Business in the Community, Cycle to Work Day aims to highlight the benefits of cycling as a means of transport and encourages more people to cycle, more often.
Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council, said: “We try to encourage green travel where we can and Cycle to Work Day is a great opportunity for people to discover new ways to get to work, potentially saving money and helping the environment.
“Some really fantastic work has been taking place to join-up the existing infrastructure and keep the cycling momentum going. Teignbridge is taking great strides in improving what’s already on offer and continues to work really closely with all partners to bring forward fresh cycle routes and schemes.
"The oft-used phrase about a ‘cycling renaissance’ happening in Devon is never truer. It’s really exciting to welcome The Friends Life Tour of Britain which returns to Devon on 11 September and will pass through many parts of Teignbridge.
“The Tour of Britain has provided the catalyst for cycling in Teignbridge, since it first visited our area four years ago. Together with Devon County Council and cyclists themselves, we have invested our efforts to spectacular effect and this is being demonstrated by the delivery of a number of new routes.”
Teignbridge is doing lots to support the development of new and improved cycle tracks in partnership with others including Devon County Council, the authority leading on much of the work.
Work is forging ahead on building a further section of the Exe Estuary trail and new bridge over the railway at Powderham. Detailed design for the 2.5 mile section from Kingsteignton to Bishopsteignton is also being progressed by Devon County Council and its partners in parallel with work towards the purchase of land along the identified route.
Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: “Devon has certainly become a popular cycling destination and our continued investment in cycling infrastructure is making more areas of the county accessible to cyclists. The County Council is proud to be hosting the Friends Life Tour of Britain again this year to inspire people to get on their bikes, and hopefully more people will use Cycle to Work Day to take up cycling or rediscover their bikes.”
For more information on how to get involved with Cycle to Work Day visit www.cycletoworkday.org
More information on Teignbridge cycleways can be found here: www.teignbridge.gov.uk/trails
