05 Aug 2024
South Yorkshire by Bike
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard recently announced the new initiative which encourages communities to get involved in the fun and freedom of cycling.
Part of South Yorkshire’s ‘Summer of Cycling’, the route will visit every corner of South Yorkshire, highlighting heritage and cultural sites. It will have easy to manage sections that are family friendly and fun to complete.
Triple Olympic champion Ed Clancy, South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner, and Emily Chappell, cycling hero and campaigner who designed the route, covered the circuit over three days – Ed used one of South Yorkshire’s 130 new e-bikes, funded by Active Travel England, which will extend the existing free e-bike loan scheme across the county.
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “This is a cycling summer in South Yorkshire. We have had elite cyclists and enthusiastic amateurs taking part in the Sheffield Grand Prix and Rock Up and Ride, and the Tour of Britain is arriving in September.
“We’re extending our e-bike loan scheme to every local authority and we’re building more and better infrastructure to make cycling easier and safer.
“And to further celebrate and promote what we have to offer, we now have South Yorkshire by Bike; a new 250km route taking in every corner of South Yorkshire, showing off the best of our landscapes, our landmarks and our communities.”
Half a million pounds has been allocated to help South Yorkshire become a national leader in its e-bikes offer to residents. Over 130 new e-bikes will provide free e-cycle loan schemes across the community. They will extend South Yorkshire’s e-bike fleet to over 200, making it one of the biggest in the country.
Ed Clancy, South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner, said: "A big part of my mission to help people to walk, wheel or cycle more is providing the skills, confidence and the right environment to give it a go. That includes more e-bike loans, bike training and repairs in the community, and building new cycle lanes.
“It’s also about getting more people excited about the fun and freedom of cycling by showcasing the best South Yorkshire has to offer.
“That ranges from the Year of Active Travel and family-friendly South Yorkshire by Bike routes, through to hosting well-established events that communities can get involved in, like the Sheffield Grand Prix and Tour of Britain.
“It's gearing up to be an exciting summer of cycling in South Yorkshire and I hope it will help people to get involved and get out on a bike too.”
The ‘Summer of Cycling’ continues with the Tour of Britain in September. Stage 3 will take place across South Yorkshire, starting in Sheffield and ending in Barnsley.
Click here for the full South Yorkshire by Bike route.
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