Bike Week, which runs from 9-17 June, is the UK’s annual celebration of cycling.
During the week, online cycling promotion platform LovetoRide will be giving away a bike every day. For the chance to win a bike – register at www.lovetoride.net, ride a bike anywhere, anytime for just 10 minutes during Bike Week and log your ride. You can also win prizes for encouraging others to ride and sharing your cycling stories and photos.
Two new cycle routes have been completed in time for Bike Week 2018 and a third is in its final stages of construction.
The schemes in Arundel Road, Fontwell – part of a longer route between Bognor Regis and Bignor – and Worth Park Avenue, Crawley – part of the Crawley Growth Programme – were delivered by West Sussex County Council and opened last month. A new link alongside the A259 between Flansham and Climping is in its final stages of construction.
The county council is also developing a number of schemes for future delivery as part of its Walking and Cycling Strategy 2016-2026. The council is also working in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority, Adur and Worthing Councils, Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, and Horsham District Council to develop Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). This work will build on existing strategies and help to identify priority routes for future investment.
Last year was a record-breaking year for the county council’s team of cycling instructors, who deliver Bikeability training in schools and provide one-to-one courses for adults. A total of 9,801 people received training during 2017/18, including 1,129 balance bike users.
Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “Cycling helps to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and is a great way to increase physical activity and wellbeing.
“I am very pleased West Sussex will be hosting Velo South later this year, a 100-mile closed road cycling event, which will see 15,000 riders cycling through the West Sussex countryside on Sunday 23 September.”
