Glorious weather attracted crowds of people to put their best pedal forward in Newton Abbot to enjoy Devon County Council’s second cycling fun day.
The event, which formed part of the council’s campaign to encourage more people to take up leisure cycling, marked the official launch of the town as a ‘cycling hub’.
Over 700 regular cyclists, absolute beginners and non-cyclists turned up at Newton Abbot Race Course to enjoy free bike hire, a ride around the racetrack and, for the more experienced cyclists, an on road route in Kingsteignton.
Devon County Council’s Cycling Ambassador Andrei Burton wowed the crowds with a spectacular display of Mountain Bike Trials, while visitors had a go at learning some tricks themselves at the cycling circus.
Bike shops Hot Pursuits of Kingsteignton, Braking Wind of Dawlish and Colin Lewis Cycles of Paignton carried out lots of Dr Bike services and the Police marked 158 bikes with free security marking. Children, parents and grandparents took the opportunity to brush up on vital skills, with the cycle instructors guiding them through how to fix a puncture or change their bike tyres.
The ‘Smoothie Bike’ proved very popular with 50 people pedalling their way to healthy refreshment.
More than 200 people answered a questionnaire to provide feedback of their experience of their cycle The County Council is also creating cycle hubs in Exeter Barnstaple, Exmouth and Tavistock, where the aim is to improve access to local cycle networks to help people cycle more regularly. The next cycle fun days will be held at:
Saturday, April, 24 – Tavistock, The Meadows.
Monday, May 3 – Barnstaple, Rock Park.
Saturday, May 29 – Exmouth, King George V Playing Fields.
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