Saddle up for bike week

Cyclists across Devon are encouraging others to join them by taking to two wheels during Bike Week this week.

Bike Week is the biggest cycling event in the UK, and last year over half a million people nationwide were encouraged to join in events and rethink their everyday journeys.

During the week, which runs until Sunday (June 22) the Travel Devon Roadshow will be visiting the Magnolia Centre in Exmouth today (Monday) 16 June and Newton Abbot Town Centre on Friday 20 June, where the team will have cycling information on initiatives such as adult cycle confidence sessions.

Among those to have benefited from taking up cycling is Exmouth resident Rob Hoe. He has been cycling to work daily from Exmouth to Exeter for the last five years, using the Exe Estuary Trail as the new sections have opened.

He said: “It has changed my life and also my outlook on life. I’ve lost three stone, cut over 5,000 miles of car use on my commute, and also walk far more now. I don’t have to pay to go to the gym at all and am so much fitter that I have now taken up running with my daughter, something that I couldn’t have considered five years ago. I feel I am doing my bit for the environment and don’t feel guilty when I do use the car.”

Among the organisations which Devon County Council has helped by offering information and advice through its Travel Devon Roadshow is the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

Luke Mitchell, Sustainability Officer at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I find cycling a much more enjoyable way of getting around town than driving, it’s cheap, environmentally friendly and for short trips it is quite often quicker than driving. As well as the obvious practical benefits it also gives you the opportunity to see the place you live, rather than being stuck in a metal box and staring at the car in front. I find riding to work wakes me up before I start and when I head off at the end of the day it is quite liberating to coast past the rush hour jams and stretch out my muscles after working all day.

“The Trust is keen to support initiatives which benefit patients, staff and the wider community. Cycling is something that ticks all those boxes! It frees up valuable car parking spaces for patients who really need them and also benefits people’s health in several ways. The help Devon County Council has offered through the Travel Devon Roadshow has been invaluable in getting new initiatives and projects off the ground and we hope to continue with this partnership.”

Helena Freeman, from Devon County Council’s Public Health team, is a keen cyclist and is planning to cycle 55 miles to work from Appledore to Exeter during Bike Week, on Thursday 19 June.

Helena said: “Bike Week is a great opportunity to make our morning commutes a little special. It’s a bit of a long way so I’m not sure how long it’s going to take. I felt that because I work with the public health team I should be doing my bit for championing a healthy commute to work. Living so far away means cycling to work isn’t something I can do every day, but I shall be relishing the challenge and the training will be improving my fitness, health and wellbeing.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “It’s encouraging that people are taking up cycling for their commute to work and that many more are going to make the effort to go that extra mile during Bike Week. Cycling is a great family activity; it’s free, healthy, fun and encourages children to be independent. As well the health benefits there are plenty of good reasons to ride a bike. If you’re commuting by bike you can avoid traffic jams, save on parking and fuel. Over half of car journeys are less than five miles – swapping them for an easy 30 minute bike ride can save you a small fortune in fuel costs. Everyday cycling really is for everyone.”

For more information go to www.traveldevon.Info