Pedal power for Rochdale

Date published: 20/06/2008

People working in Rochdale town centre ditched their cars, dusted off their saddles and pedalled their way into work in celebration of Bike Week.

With a hot breakfast waiting for all cyclists upon arrival at The Butts, the Rochdale Council event also included a leisurely guided lunchtime ride in the afternoon so cyclists could take in the sights of the Rochdale Canal towpath and the woods around Belfield, as well as stopping off for a short break in the ‘outdoor classroom’ at Belfield Community School.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Council cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability, said: “Getting out of the car and onto a bike moves you into a different world. Rochdale has a growing network of off-road bike routes, and you immediately appreciate how lucky we are to be living in this borough.”

The Council’s Sustainability Team hosted the bike to work event as part of Bike Week – the UK’s biggest annual mass participation cycling event encouraging people of all ages and abilities to leave the car at home and reconnect with the joys of cycling.

In 2007, 550,000 people took part in Bike Week events across the country.

For further information about cycling routes around Rochdale contact Dave Stewart at Impact Partnership:

Email: dave.stewart@theimpactpartnership.com
Telephone: 01706 924605

Visit www.cyclegm.org to find more recommended cycling routes in and around Greater Manchester.