Rochdale’s pedal power for Bike Week

Rochdale Borough Council are encouraging people take to two wheels and rediscover pedal power for national Bike Week.

Harry Scrope, Managing Director of Brompton Dock called into Number One Riverside to demonstrate just how easy it is to use the famous English folding bikes.  Over the next few days staff and residents will be trying out the ultra-portable cycles, putting Rochdale’s cycle network to the test.

With just weeks to go before Le Tour de France comes to the borough, Acting Chief Executive Linda Fisher said it’s the perfect time to encourage cycling and remind people of its positive health, social and environmental benefits:

“We’re so lucky to be surrounded by such stunning countryside and I encourage everyone to make the most of it. Cycling is very important to us and over the last decade we have invested over two million pounds into routes and infrastructure.  There are significant health benefits to getting out and about on bikes. It’s cheaper, healthier and greener and we hope this week will motivate more people to recognise the benefits of cycling!”

Brompton Dock Managing Director Harry Scrope said:

“We’re pleased to be supporting Rochdale during Bike Week. It’s clear that cycling is high on the agenda here and there are some incredible cycling and walking routes to explore. We are certainly interested in working with the council to bring a dock to Rochdale.”

If the summer weather is inspiring you to get on your bike you can get local cycle routes, maps and advice on planning your journey by bike from www.rochdale.gov.uk/leisure

On Sunday 6 July the Tour de France passes into the borough – along a section of B6138 and the A58 adjacent to Blackstone Edge Reservoir, during Stage 2 from York to Sheffield. 

Bike Week (14-22 June) is an annual opportunity to promote cycling, and show how cycling can easily be part of everyday life by encouraging ‘everyday cycling for everyone’ The week aims to get people to give cycling a go all over the UK, for fun, as a means of getting around to the local shops, school, the library or just to visit friends.

Notice to editors

Cycling in the Rochdale borough

Over the last five years the council has:

• Created or improved over 45km of cycleway as part of the Connect 2 project.  Using the canal towpath as a spine route, this network covers all four townships and connects to most of our borders with neighbouring authorities.
• Hosted a Cycling Development Officer from CTC (Cyclists Touring Club) who has done extensive outreach work across the borough, including working with hard to reach and disadvantaged groups.
• Confirmed a Cycle Hub location at Rochdale train station as part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) programme, together with a number  of station access improvements
• Bid for an additional Cycle Hub to be located next to the new transport interchange as part of the potential LSTF extension funding.
• Developed cycling capacity within Link4Life, based at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre, who now have a fleet of bikes and trained ride leaders.
• Hosted the start of the Tour of Britain as well as a stage of the cycling Grand Prix.
• Hosted cycle training and maintenance workshops hosted at various locations across the borough.
• Signed up to the Transport for Greater Manchester Travel Choices programme, as one of the largest employers in the borough.
• Supported a range of cycling promotion activity in schools, including the Bike It! Programme from Sustrans.
• Hosted a public reception to the national ‘Step Up’ cycle ride as part of Rochdale Feel Good Festival.
• Published a guide to the Connect 2 network as part of the promotional activity in the run-up to the Tour de France.

Brompton

• Brompton Dock is an innovative cycle hire scheme, offering residents, commuters and visitors the chance to experience the iconic Brompton folding bicycle.
• As long as they are folded and bagged, Brompton folding bikes can be taken on all public transport, even during peak times, making them ideal for commuter and business trips as well as leisure use.  Brompton folding bikes are available for both long and short-term hire with a choice of tariffs to suit all needs.
• The Brompton hire scheme was formally launched as Brompton Dock in July 2011 as a remote and secure service. The steel docks with between 10 and 40 bays, are accessed by use of a keypad code. The code is provided to the member via smartphone after they have registered online at www.bromptondock.co.uk.
• The BDL network uses chip and sensor technology which allows the operator to track the movements of bicycles and members when using the dock. The rapidly expanding network currently includes 27 docks across the UK.