A CYCLING fun day will be held in St George s Playing Field to launch a campaign to encourage people to take up cycling.

A CYCLING fun day will be held in St George's Playing Field to launch a campaign to encourage people to take up cycling.

Devon County Council has been awarded a �2 million grant from Cycling England to encourage more people to cycle more often. To help promote this campaign a new website, www.cycledevon.info has now gone live.

The County Council is creating cycling "hubs" in Exmouth, Barnstaple, Exeter, Newton Abbot and Tavistock, to improve access to local cycle networks and increase levels of cycling.

Fun days will be held at each of the hub towns with the aim of getting people on their bikes.

The event will be held at the playing field on May 29, will provide a chance for regular cyclists, absolute beginners and non-cyclists to enjoy a ride.

Everyone who takes part in a ride will be asked to fill in a questionnaire to give feedback on their experience.

There will also be the opportunity to become involved in the Cycle Devon programme where volunteers will be provided with information, incentives, activities and advice to help them enjoy cycling more regularly.

Everyone who signs up will be awarded a cinema ticket voucher and a chance to win a new bike.

As well as the cycle rides, there will be a variety of bikes on show and a breathtaking mountain bike trials display.

Free bike security marking will be offered and qualified mechanics from local bike shops will be available at the Dr Bike clinic, offering a free health check for your bike.

Brush up on vital skills with sessions to learn how to fix a puncture under supervision of an expert, and Devon County Council cycle instructors will be on hand to help children learn to ride without stabilisers.

There will even be the opportunity to try the "Smoothie Bike", where you can pedal your way to healthy refreshment and burn calories at the same time.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "The cycling fun days are for everyone. It's simple - just turn up with a bike, take part and enjoy yourself. And even if you haven't got a bike there will be some available at each of the events."

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