Guy Opperman MP has hosted Cycling Minister, Trudy Harrison in Northumberland to showcase the benefits rural cycling infrastructure can deliver in Northumberland.
They discussed the potential for a rural cycle highway, which would connect Newcastle with the towns and villages in the Tyne Valley.
Guy and Trudy were joined by Rob Aubrook, Ted Liddle and Toby Price from Cycling Minds, as well as Cllr John Riddle and Cllr Nick Oliver for the follow up discussion.
A short cycle ride was followed by a discussion about how rural cycling infrastructure can be improved in Northumberland. They rode from Wylam to Stocksfield to show the good and bad elements of local rural cycling Infrastructure.
The discussion highlighted the range of benefits rural cycling infrastructure can deliver. In particular, improved cycle routes in rural areas can provide opportunities for leisure and cycle tourism.
Mr Opperman has proposed ‘a super cycle highway’ from Newcastle to Carlisle and will be campaigning for the project to go ahead.
Trudy Harrison MP said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the ride through beautiful Northumberland and the opportunity to discuss rural cycling infrastructure.
Cycling ticks all the boxes, it’s great for health, it’s an affordable way to get around and it reduces congestion.”
Guy Opperman MP said:
“I was delighted to welcome Trudy and showcase how brilliant cycling is in Northumberland.
We would like to improve cycling infrastructure so we have a better ability to commute to and from Newcastle by bike and also encourage more cycle tourism to Northumberland.
I special thanks to Toby from Cycling Minds for organising the bikes for the ride!”
Rob Aubrook said:
“I am delighted with the progress we made yesterday and grateful to Guy and Trudy for making the time.
It felt like something of a breakthrough moment to me. Creating a rural cycling superhighway in Tynedale will be a game changer for people and communities in so many ways.”
Toby Price, General Manager at Cycling Minds said:
“As a charitable organisation, Cycling Minds is committed to getting more people on bikes and helping achieve the Gear Change objective of half of all journeys being cycled or walked by 2030, but safe cycleways connecting the towns and villages in our rural county is crucial to this.
Seeing Guy’s commitment to improving cycling infrastructure in the area is encouraging that this can happen in the not too distant future.”
Cllr Nick Oliver said:
"As a cyclist myself I am very keen to see anything that improves our infrastructure.
The Tyne Valley has an opportunity to become a prime European cycle tourism destination but also these improvements can get people out of cars and that will bring all sorts of benefits.
It would be great to see more kids going to school on a bike, more small shopping trips and more leisurely cycle trips. You don't need to be a Lycra-clad athlete to enjoy cycling."
ENDS