Cycling plan includes big city bike ride

A HUGE city bike ride, training for coaches, and talent-spotting new cycling stars – just some of the things Cardiff could be getting in a new deal.

Cardiff council wants to enter a fiveyear deal with British Cycling to boost participation in the city.

Cardiff is one of 10 cities where British Cycling, with HSBC backing, wants to invest £500,000 per year.

One of the biggest parts of the proposed scheme is a free non-competitive mass bike ride into the city for 8,000 people.

The suggestion is that it should take place on May 13, which is being touted as the return of a car-free day in Cardiff.

The idea is for a combination of experienced and lapsed cyclists to ride a circuit on closed roads in the centre of the city.

A report to the council’s environmental scrutiny committee reads: “The event would be non-competitive and participants would be able to join it at different stages of the circuit to suit their individual abilities and needs.

“The ride would act as a tool to promote the wider HSBC/British Cycling Programme but would also provide a vital means of enabling non-cyclists to try cycling within a safe environment and be part of a major celebratory community event.”

In the summer a smaller event was held with 4,000 people taking part.

The council will have to pay £100,000 a year towards the scheme which can be through a 50:50 split of money and payment in kind.

The proposal was for an eight-year scheme but the Labour administration says it can only make the commitment for the length of their term.

There would be an option for a future council to extend the agreement for another three years.

As part of the scheme, there would also be guided and supported community rides including a programme for women and community rides.

It is hoped 200 volunteers could be recruited and there would be dedicated coaches for schools aimed at getting more kids out on their bikes.

The two Go-Ride cycling development officers would be appointed to coordinate delivery of the schools and communitybased programmes. They would be employed by Welsh Cycling but based within the council’s transport team.

It is also hoped that the deal would help spot young talent for British Cycling and Welsh Cycling building on the success of Cardiff cyclists on the world stage.

The report reads: “The recent Olympic successes of home-grown cycling talents Elinor Barker, Owain Doull, Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas, and Cardiff’s hosting of the Tour of Britain and mass-participation rides such as the Velothon, have helped to raise Cardiff’s profile as a ‘cycling city’.

“The eight-year HSBC/British Cycling programme would seek to build on this progress and provide opportunities to further cultivate and embed cycling culture in Cardiff.”

The council says increasing the number of people making daily journeys on bikes is a priority and that it wants to double the number of cycling trips over the next decade. The report will be debated next week before going to cabinet later in the month.