Cycling

Cycling...

Is door-to-door travel
Gets you fit. You might even lose weight.
Is better for the environment
Saves you money
Means no more parking hassles

Cycling is the fastest travel mode in urban peak hours, between 10 and 20 mph. Also, you are not producing emissions and figures show that in heavy traffic the air quality can be up to three times more polluted inside a car than out. Cycling regularly, even short distances, can lead to greatly improved aerobic fitness, reduce obesity, reduce the risk of heart disease and make you more alert.

We're a nation of couch potatoes - only 3 in 10 men and 2 in 10 women are as fit as they should be for their age. Cycling is one of the simplest and most effective ways of getting fit and cycling to work or school can be used as a key means of transport. Incorporating physical activity as part of the daily routine means you are more likely to keep it up - travelling in an environmentally friendly way and getting fit at the same time.

Someone in the UK has a heart attack every two minutes.
The British Medical Association found that an increase in cycling was particularly beneficial in reducing coronary heart disease, obesity and hypertension, as well as increasing overall fitness.
If one third of all short car journeys were made by cycle, national heart disease rates would fall by between 5% and 10%!
As cycling is not weight-bearing, then people with some forms of arthritis will find it easier than walking.
Why not ride to work?
Riding your bike to work is a great way to make two aerobic workouts part of your daily routine.
"But I live too far away"
If you live less than five miles away from your workplace, bike commuting will be easy for you. If you live between five and ten miles away, it'll be harder but it's still within your reach.

"I'm out of shape"
You'll get in shape really fast. And while you're getting in shape, there's no reason you can't take it slow. Or stop a few times to catch your breath. Or walk the bike up that tough hill. You'll eventually be riding up. Honestly!

"I'll get sweaty!"
Yep, you probably will. So wear a T-shirt and carry a change of clothes. To avoid getting hot, take some extra time and bike slowly. Or ride in early, before the day has had time to heat up.

Cycling is non-polluting, energy efficient, healthy and fun.

Cycle Maps

Staffordshire County Council are producing a series of district-wide cycle maps and guides.

They contain useful information including:

       the location of cycle lanes;
       cycle safety tips;
       cyclist training;
       a guide to cycling related road signs;
       where to park your bike; and
       location of cycle shops.

The aim of the guides is to help cyclists plan their journeys around Staffordshire. The maps will also be very useful to visitors to the local areas, showing the various places where people can cycle safely without having to drive everywhere.

The routes shown on the map are those that exist in the area at present and also a number of recommended routes along quieter streets etc.

Many more cycle routes are planned and so the map and guide will continue to be updated in the future.

We have a rolling programme for producing maps. Currently we have copies of Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire (including Burton), Lichfield, Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands (including Leek & Cheadle), Tamworth and Newcastle/Stoke-on-Trent. Southern Staffordshire (covering Wombourne, Codsall, Penkridge & Huntington) will be done later in 2008. For your free copy you can e-mail sonia.atkins@staffordshire.gov.uk or phone 01785 276517. Copies are also available from cycle dealers, tourist information centres and relevant libraries.

The joint Stoke / Newcastle under Lyme maps is also available free from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, email: transportation@stoke.gov.uk or phone 01782 232066.

Copies are also available from cycle dealers, the tourist information centre and all libraries in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme

Useful Links

www.gear-change.co.uk
www.ecf.com/publications/Download/toworkgb.doc
www.whycycle.co.uk
www.bottombracket.co.uk
www.fellscape.com
www.bcf.uk.com
www.nationalcyclingstrategy.org.uk/cycling_to_work.html
www.sustrans.org.uk

Last Modified: 03/04/2008 12:58:19
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