Collect ‘Fresh Air Miles’ on new Sustrans route and win a Globe bike
Issued on: Thursday 2 September, 2010
Local volunteers are encouraging people to come and explore new Sustrans routes around Richmond on Saturday 18 September. The sustainable transport charity is organising a 'Fresh Air Miles' ride, in conjunction with Globe bikes, along the new traffic-free Greenway between Richmond Station and Catterick Garrison.
The Greenway, open for a year, will soon form part of the National Cycle Network, which covers more than 12,000 miles across the UK and celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year. Sustainable transport charity Sustrans helps to maintain the Network with the help of around 2,800 volunteer rangers.
The Greenway has been built to link with a new bridge at Brompton-on-Swale, which will be part-funded by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, following a public vote in 2007. The grant is funding new Sustrans walking and cycling routes up-and-down the UK as part of the Connect2 project. The scheme is being supported by North Yorkshire County Council and Richmondshire District Council
Sustrans volunteer ranger Tony Keates is leading the ride. He said, "We're looking forward to welcoming local people on this ride and celebrating our new route, "When completed, the new Brompton-on-Swale bridge will link off-road routes on either side of the River Swale. This will really improve the ability for people to walk and cycle across the area while avoiding busy roads."
All are welcome to join in, regardless of age, cycling ability or experience. The ride will start at 10am from Richmond Station.
After departing the station the ride will make its way along the Greenway and then head on to the Brompton-on-Swale bridge. The ride will then travel back to Richmond via Easby and the old railway track.
The second half of the ride involves a busy minor road, so it will not be suitable for young children. However, there will be an opportunity for families with young children to cycle to the end of the Greenway and then return along the same route.
The ride is also an opportunity to raise money for Sustrans, which helps maintain the National Cycle Network. To book on the ride call Tony Keates on 01969 640 436 or e-mail dotandtonyk@btinternet.com
Anyone who attends the ride on the day can enter a prize draw to win a brand new Globe bike. There will also be other Fresh Air Miles goodies available.
This is the second year of Fresh Air Miles rides, for more information visit http://www.freshairmiles.co.uk
The fun doesn't stop with Saturday's ride. On Sunday 19 September, volunteers from Sustrans will be manning a stall at the Brompton-on-Swale bridge, coinciding with the Sunday market at Catterick racecourse.
Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk
ENDS
For more information on Sustrans or to request interviews, please contact
Matt Hemsley, Sustrans Press Office,
Tel 0117 915 0123 / Email: matthew.hemsley@sustrans.org.uk
For pictures, please contact Sustrans Picture Library
Tel: 0117 915 0120 Email photos@sustrans.org.uk
Press Office Out of office hours - 07802 986728
ISDN line available for radio interviews
For information on Fresh Air Miles
Wendy Johnson, Sustrans Press Office
Tel 0117 915 0128 Email wendy.johnson@sustrans.org.uk
NOTES
Sustrans is the charity that's enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. Our work makes it possible for people to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys, with better places and spaces to move through and live in. It's time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today. www.sustrans.org.uk
This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 11 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,600 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.
There are around 3.000 rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network.
Sustrans' Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will transform local travel in communities, creating new bridges and crossings to overcome busy roads, rivers and railways, and linking these to networks of walking and cycling routes, making it easier for millions of people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.
Sustrans' Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions as a result of a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007. This is the largest ever single lottery grant. Combined with match funding, the project is worth £142million.
Sustrans is calling on UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020. For more information and to download a copy of the call to action visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/call-to-action-for-2020
The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006. Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888, out of hours: 07867 500 572. Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk