Saddle up for Saturday cycling taster sessions in Leeds

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF GO:CYCLING AND WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY



Budding cyclists are being invited to take part in free go:cycling Saturday taster training sessions in Leeds.



Aimed at anyone aged over 16, including those who want to get back to cycling but who may not have ridden a bike since they were a child, the sessions take place at Fearnville Leisure Centre in Leeds between 10am and 12noon.



Bookings aren’t needed and bikes are available to use free of charge. Professional qualified cycle instructors will be providing advice at the sessions which will run every Saturday until 28 March.



More information about the sessions can be found at www.wygocycling.com/news.



West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Chair Councillor James Lewis said:



“Cycling is a healthy, cheap, sustainable and environmentally-friendly form of transport not only for leisure but also

for travelling to and from work.



“Last year’s Tour de France Grand Départ in West Yorkshire resulted in a wave of enthusiasm for cycling and these kinds of sessions help people make their good intentions a reality. When I joined in with a go:cycling training session as a lapsed cyclist, it gave me the tips, techniques and confidence to get going again on my bike.”



Leeds City Council executive member for digital and creative technology, culture and skills Councillor Lucinda Yeadon said:



“These free cycle sessions are a further example of our commitment to encouraging as many people as possible to take up cycling as the ongoing legacy from the Tour de France Grand Départ and to make Leeds a cycle-friendly city. I will be going down for a session as there are always tips you can learn about safe and effective cycling to make going out for a bike ride as fun and enjoyable as possible.”



Set up to support more adults in West Yorkshire to cycle more often and more safely, the go:cycling project provides support for people who want to cycle but may be lacking confidence or experience. The go:cycling team also organises a range of events and rides where people can build up their miles and confidence with other riders.



Co-ordinated by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the West Yorkshire’s districts and CTC The National Cycling Charity, go:cycling promotes free adult cycle training, free bike maintenance sessions and works with the West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network to encourage cycling for commuting and business-related travel. It is supported by the Department for Transport through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.



People can keep up to date with go:cycling by following @wygocycling on Twitter and the WY go:cycling Facebook page.



Ends



Notes to Editors



As part of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s work to encourage cycling construction of the 23km CityConnect cycle superhighway, linking Bradford and East Leeds is underway.



Work began last month on the route after six months of consultation with residents, local businesses and other road users. CityConnect is a joint West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council project. It will deliver canal towpath upgrades between Kirkstall and Shipley better cycle routes in Leeds city centre, more cycle parking in Leeds and Bradford and series of 20mph connecting zones in addition to the 23km cycle-way.



Details of CityConnect can be found at www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk by following @CityConnect1on Twitter and the Cityconnect Facebook page.