Community cycling project launched in South Cheshire

A project to get more people cycling for fun, health and to reduce car usage was launched this week in south Cheshire. 

The project is the idea of Audlem and District Acting Positively for Transition (ADAPT) – a group of local volunteers. The group have already published 30 routes which can be used by cyclists of all abilities. 

ADAPT are committed to finding ways to enjoy living well today while safeguarding the future, encouraging more people to use their bicycles for both leisure and local journeys.

Funding for the project came from Cheshire East Council’s participatory budget scheme, which allocated £400,000 from the authority’s public health budget for local projects that improve the health of people living in their community.

To receive their £3000 grant, ADAPT presented their case and won support from 200 local people who attended the Nantwich and rural area participatory budget event held in January this year.

Comprehensive maps have been produced showing a total of 30 routes including:

· 6 through routes to nearby towns/destinations

· 10 circular leisure routes

· 8 other leisure destination routes

· 6 short local routes for beginners or quick rides

The maps also include other useful information such as where to eat and drink locally, places of interest, using towpaths and bridleways, advice for cycling safely and ways in which cycling can help with keeping healthy. ADAPT also run regular group cycle rides which follow the routes.

All of the maps can be downloaded via the Audlem Online community website. Printed copies are also available from the bike restoration room at St Paul’s Centre, High Town, Crewe, Crewe Lifestyle Centre and various pubs, cafes, shops, churches and the Overwater marina in Audlem.

Leaflets will be distributed in Nantwich town centre very soon. File downloads are also being made available on the website shortly so that people can load maps into their cycling apps on mobile devices.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for Finance and Communities, said: “I am thrilled to see another public health project come to life and benefit the local community.

“I love cycling and you always get a buzz to find a new route that you didn’t know about, especially when much of the riding is on the network of tracks and quiet lanes that we are lucky to have in Cheshire.

“It doesn’t have to be hard work to be healthy and stopping off at one of the local pubs for lunch or visiting places of interest is a great way to spend summer days.”