A COVENTRY cycle festival attracted nearly 10,000 riders to the city streets – sparking calls for greater infrastructure for cyclists year-round.
British Cycling’s HSBC Let’s Ride event saw a 6km cycle track opened up for the day to allow riders to travel past some of the city’s most iconic sites.
The route began in Broadgate, passed through the cathedral ruins and the historic High Street.
A traffic-free ring road was the main attraction, allowing cyclists to reach top speeds in the sizzling heat.
A range of activities were on offer with festival zones in Broadgate and Millennium Place offering music, street food and activities.
A mountain bike stunt show and a riding skills course in Millennium Place provided excitement while free bike checks were offered in Broadgate.
Councillor Abdul Khan, cabinet member for events, said: “Coventry did us proud yesterday with around 9,500 cyclists of all ages turning out for the HSBC city ride.
“The city was buzzing and although we don’t have the information yet, I’m sure our local businesses were busy too.
“Cycling is a great way to exercise and keep healthy and there are lots of rides taking place in the city.”
The popularity of the weekend’s event ignited fresh calls from campaigners for Coventry City Council to improve cycle routes and make roads safer for cyclists.
The council has said it will be bidding for additional government funding for the development of new and improved cycling and walking routes.
It also said investment in city centre routes such as the ring road and the boulevard outside Friargate has been focused on making cycling safer and easier coming into the city.
Cycling and road safety campaigner Richard Heneghan, who founded the blog Coventry Road Safety, said members of his group spoke to lots of the city’s cyclists at the event to hear what can be done to encourage regular cycling.
He tweeted: “Yesterday’s Sky Ride (Let’s Ride) was an enjoyable event for all.
“Focus is now needed on ensuring the public can cycle safely in Coventry all year round.
“Lots of people surveyed yesterday said they would seriously consider cycling to work if there were more protected cycle lanes in Coventry, and if employers provided showering facilities. It is really not too much to ask.”
Cyclist Harry Salisbury who attended the event said: “Judging from the amount and variety of people pedalling round the route throughout the day, cycling is evidently a popular activity in Coventry.
“I hope the event’s popularity will encourage the city council and other relevant authorities to make Coventry a safe city for bikes all year round.”
Green Party campaigner and Warwickshire County Councillor Keith Kondakor renewed his call for improved cycle routes in the city.
He recently told the Observer the city would be ideal for a cycle superhighway which would encourage more cyclists onto the streets and improve congestion and air pollution.
Coun Kondakor today tweeted: “For the other 364 days a year there is a lack of signed safe routes.
“There is a need to sort out signage and sort out routes like Bishops Street which is one-way.”
Last month cycling campaigner James Avery challenged the council to make riding a bike in the city safe every day of the year.
“It is time for the council to stop pretending it cares about cycling – this event has achieved nothing in five years,” he said.
“We need safe cycling for everyone 365 days a year.”
