GUIDED RIDES SHOW CYCLISTS THE BEST ROUTES IN TOWN

FANCY a two-wheeled tour of Middlesbrough?

Cyclists now have a selection of routes to choose from across the town thanks to an initiative as part of the Healthy Town programme.



And youngsters from one of the town’s primary schools hopped on their bikes to check out one of the cycle ways.

The scheme was the brainchild of Middlesbrough Council Cycling Officer Chris Orr and Sustrans Bike It Officer Pam Jenkins.

The pair teamed up to take a group of young cyclists from Sunnyside Primary school on a guided ride around Coulby Newham to raise awareness of the free folder which features five separate routes.

The route cards have been produced as part of the Middlesbrough Healthy Town programme, which is encouraging people to change their lifestyles to improve their health and well being, including leisure cycling.

Chris said: “The route cards take in most areas of the Borough, so we hope people will use them to get out on their bikes and have fun exploring their local area by bike.”
  
Pam, who works with the pupils at Sunnyside on a variety of cycle promotional events added: “The route cards are an excellent way of helping encourage more families to cycle together using safe routes they will feel comfortable with.”

The ride from Sunnyside primary incorporates the crossing of Newham Way via the newly installed Toucan crossing close to the school. The crossing point was installed with obtained match funding from Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable travel charity.



Sustrans Area Manager Neil Mitchell said: “Sustrans are delighted to be working with Middlesbrough Council to deliver improvements that allow children independent travel to their school.

“Half of the costs of the new crossing came from a grant from Sustrans Links to Schools scheme. The Links to School programme is funded by the DfT and Cycling England appointed Sustrans as the agency to administer the fund across England.”
Councillor Paul Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Streetscene Services and Transport, said: “Exercise – especially in the great outdoors – is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and cycling’s a great way to get around.

“These route cards will provide inspiration for countless cyclists, and I’m sure lots of families will use them as the basis for a great day out on two wheels.”

The folders feature five different routes located around Middlesbrough, and are available local facilities such as libraries, country parks electronically at www.borohealthytown.com

For further information or to request a copy, please email cycling@middlesbrough.gov.uk, or call 01642 728196.