New bike routes rolled out under £5 Cycling City project

A CYCLING celebration was held to mark the launch of the first of five new city bike routes.

The two-mile path, which cuts through Tunstall Greenway, was officially opened by Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley and former Port Vale star Mark Goodlad on Saturday.

The route runs between Kidsgrove and Westport Lake and allows people to ride the complete distance without having to use a road.

Cycling City project officer Phil Chatterley wanted to emphasise that getting on your bike not only benefits your health, but your wallet as well. He said: "The RAC has researched it costs £8,200 to fund an average car per year. With a bike you only have the cost of buying it. We have had more than 150 people taking part in marshalled cycle rides in Tunstall for this celebration day.

"Cycling really is for everyone – we had an 82-year-old cycling alongside a three-year-old."

The Tunstall route is one of five funded by the Government's Cycling England fund, which has given Stoke-on-Trent City Council £5 million to make the city a national cycling leader by 2011.

The authority aims to double the number of people cycling in the city.

Other paths are set to be opened in Cobridge, Longton, Trentham and Meir in the coming months.

The grand opening included a funfair, bouncy castle and face painting.

There was also a trick or treat and fancy dress cycle in the afternoon.

Cycle Stoke and the Talisman and Greenfield Residents Association organised the fun day.

Mike George, a committee member with the association, added: "In the future we hope to do more events to promote the cycle path and increase the numbers of people using it."

Stoke-on-Trent now has a cycle network of about 77 miles. Many of those routes, like the Tunstall path, are linked into the national network to allow travel to different areas.

Ms Walley opened the new path before cycling on her own folding bike.

She said: "I have my own bike and I am gradually building my confidence at cycling.

"Like many people I'm not too sure about cycling on the road so paths like this are perfect."

Cyclists were able to have their bikes checked for safety at the event. Representatives from Staffordshire Police's Crime Prevention Panel were also on hand to mark each bike with UV pens so they could be returned to the correct owner if stolen.

Everyone taking part in the marshalled races received free bike lights, a safety vest, bike reflectors and a water bottle.

Councillor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport, leisure, parks and open spaces, said: "This cycle path provides people with a new way of travelling around the city in a healthy and environmentally friendly fashion."