Plymouth gets cycling & walking, and bus champions

But not one for drivers

As Plymouth tops the charts in the UK for training young cyclists, a ‘cycling champion’ has been appointed to encourage more residents to get on their bikes.

Plymouth City Council is the best-performing authority in the country for training Year 6 pupils in cycling safety through a scheme called Bikeability, with 85 per cent of pupils taking part.

Cabinet member for transport Mark Coker (Lab, Devonport), told the council’s cabinet this week.: “We really need to pay credit to the Plymouth Schools Sports Partnership and our own active travel team who have been instrumental in this. There were only three other local authorities that got into 80s.”

Cllr Coker said a ‘joined-up approach’ would be enhanced by the appointment of new cycling and walking champion Cllr John Stephens (Lab, Dunstone).

Adult cycling training is being provided by a team in the council. A bus champion – Cllr Kevin Sproston (Lab, Budshead) – will help links between bus companies and passengers.

“As the bus companies struggle after the covid pandemic and with funding issues, it’s really important that we have a councillor that is dedicated point of contact for bus users and disability groups so we are able to have a loud voice,” said Cllr Coker.

“All the work we have done over last few years is rewarding us, it’s really showing that Plymouth is moving in the right direction.”

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