Transport supremos get on their bikes to support cycling

Herefordshire Council's transport supremos are getting on their bikes to refresh their cycling skills by testing out the council's free adult cycle training scheme.

Councillor Brian Wilcox (Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation), Andrew Ashcroft (Herefordshire Council's head of planning and transportation) and Councillor Phil Edwards (Herefordshire Couincil's member cycling champion), have all taken advantage of the council's free service.

Councillor Brian Wilcox said: "I do cycle myself and wanted to experience at first hand what the free adult cycle training offers and I was very impressed.

"The trainers are not only knowledgeable about cycling skills but they can also give hints on bike maintenance which proved very useful to me as my own brakes failed halfway through my course!

"Cycle training has been introduced to help reduce accidents on the county's roads and to encourage more people to get on their bikes and feel safe.

"I would urge anyone thinking about cycling to work instead of driving to take advantage of these free lessons as they are of great benefit in making sure their journeys will be made safely," he added.

Andrew Ashcroft said: "As the new head of transportation for the council, I felt it was important to experience the free adult cycle training for myself as this will hopefully encourage more people to cycle in the county.

"I recognise the importance of cycling to the county both as a cheaper means of travelling to work and in helping to reduce traffic in the city of Hereford.

"We are currently creating two major cycle schemes, one to extend the Great Western Way and the other to upgrade a footway along Yazor Road into a shared footway/cycleway, and obviously we are also committed to the Connect2 scheme which will offer a better cycling route to Rotherwas and Holme Lacy," he added.

Councillor Phil Edwards said: "I am delighted to have been given the role as cycle champion and would urge anyone with any ideas for new routes or comments on existing ones to contact me. I cycle a lot in the city and will be feeding back my own thoughts and ideas to the cabinet member," he added.

Adult cycle trainer Sylvia Koster said: "Many people have not ridden a bicycle for many years but would like to start again because of the cost of commuting and also wanting to improve their fitness.

"Free adult cycle training sessions are available to anyone who intends to cycle to work and are aimed at giving people more confidence and we will also help them to find the best route to cater for their ability as well as offer hints on bike maintenance," she added.

To find out more about free adult cycle training, call the council's integrated transport team on 01432 383656.