Liverpool people are being urged to get active this spring, with a series of new evening bike rides being offered as part of the city’s free cycling programme.
Successful initiative Cycle Liverpool South, which already runs free, guided bike rides every Sunday – is adding a new date to the weekly cycling calendar, with extra rides being put on every Tuesday evening at 6pm – from 9 April until 24 September.
It’s giving people the chance to take advantage of the lighter evenings of spring and summer, get fit and healthy and discover the city on two wheels.
Run by sustainable transport organisation Sustrans, the family-friendly rides take in the sights and sounds of south Liverpool, using local cycle routes to visit places like the Mersey Promenade, Calderstones Park, Speke Hall and Speke Garston Coastal Reserve.
The guided rides welcome cyclists of all abilities, with trained volunteer cycle leaders on hand to help improve people’s confidence and develop their cycling skills.
Liz Connell, one of the volunteer ride leaders, said: “Cycling has changed my life! It has made me fitter and given more energy. And it’s such a sociable activity.
“I would urge anyone who has been thinking about cycling to join one of our guided rides. The fun I have with people of all ages is fantastic and the places we have discovered are amazing!”
Cycle Liverpool’s South’s extended programme means the rides now take place:
• every Tuesday at 6pm – meeting at Mossley Hill Hospital Car Park, Park Avenue, Aigburth.
• every Sunday at 10.30am – also meeting at Mossley Hill Hospital Car Park.
Rides last for approximately 90 minutes – except for the ride on the last Sunday of every month, which is two to three hours long and is designed for more confident cyclists who want to explore further – visiting Liverpool Loop Line, Croxteth Hall and Hale Lighthouse.
The rides are open to all, but under-18’s should be accompanied by an adult, and participants must have a roadworthy bike. If you don’t have a bike, a limited number of pool bikes are available to book in advance by calling Alice on 07799 037044 or e-mailing Alice.Rickwood@sustrans.org.uk, or at www.facebook.com/CycleLiverpoolSouth
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Transport, Councillor Tim Moore, said: “It’s great news that the Cycle Liverpool South programme is being extended for the spring and summer. It will give local people even more opportunity to hop on a bike, get out-and-about in south Liverpool, meet new people and get some exercise.
“Cycling is really on the up in this city at the moment and the on-going success of these free cycle rides is further proof that there’s never been a better time to get on your bike.”
For more information about all the free cycling programmes on offer in Liverpool, visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/cycling and see the ‘Bike Rides’ section.
