Warwickshire councillors and officers invited to 'get on their bikes' to celebrate Gear Change

Campaigners are inviting Warwickshire councillors and council officers to 'get on their bikes' to celebrate the Government's vision for cycling and walking.

The Government recent published ‘Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking’ and following this Cycleways, Clean Air for Leamington and Clean Air Warwick are holding a short cycle ride around the district on October 6.

'Gear Change' says “All designers of cycle schemes must experience the roads as a cyclist” so the campaigners have organised the event ' to give the responsible councillors and officers the direct experience of the state of local cycling infrastructure that they will need as they implement the proposal in Gear Change'.

Susan Rasmussen, Mayor of Leamington and member of Clean Air For Leamington said: “Our district suffers from poor air quality, something we all want to see improved.

"As the Prime Minister says in the foreword to Gear Change ‘clean air will be to the 21st century what clean water was to the 19th’.

“Traffic is the biggest cause of air pollution in our district; vast numbers of car journeys are very short and could easily be made by bicycle’ but locally the take up of cycling is inhibited by the lack of safe cycling infrastructure linking our homes, schools and workplaces.

“Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and all local town councils have declared climate emergencies.

"The shift to active modes of transport that the Government sees as essential in urban areas will not only improve air quality but have a significant impact on our carbon footprint.”

The campaigners will be gathering at Leamington Town Hall at 11am on October 6.

They will be led by the Mayor on the route of around seven miles.

Those interested in attending will find more details at cycleways.org.uk/events