A free chance to get on your bike
COMMUTERS in Sheffield are to be encouraged to give up the car for the bike – and not to worry about the hills.
The city has been chosen as the first in the UK to run 'BikeBoost', a two-year programme offering bike loans and a support programme to 800 cyclists.
In exchange for the chance to try out cycling for free, participants undertake to cycle to work for at least 50% of the days in the challenge period of three to four weeks.
The scheme, which promotes a healthier lifestyle and carbon saving, is run by Get Cycling, a York-based community interest company in partnership with the council, employers, cycling and transport organisations and bike shops.
It offers free cycle training by the group Pedal Ready and the chance to buy cycles at a discount.
Get Cycling managing director Jim McGurn urged people not to be put off by the city's hills. "Yes, the hills can't be ironed out," he said, "but you only have to look at photos from the 1950s of hundreds of people cycling to work in Sheffield – and our aluminium-frame bikes are half the weight, with seven times more gears…"
BikeBoost officers will assess participants' needs and skills with a view to the free loan of commuter cycles and accessories, with the possibility of power-assist bikes for the less fit and folding bikes for mixed-mode journeys.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
