New group aims to make cycling sociable fun

Cycle Rotherham is currently made up of 12 people from local cycling clubs and organisations like Bikeability and the NHS.

The group is open to new members and will be holding monthly family bike rides, meeting to discuss cycling issues and creating a website that is a one-stop shop for all biking news and cycling routes.

It is also encouraging Rotherham United supporters to cycle to home matches and while they watch the match, their bike will be given a full MOT.

Chairman of the group is Andrew Ball (53), from Bramley, who said: “We all come from different age groups, from early 20s to retirement age.

“We are the full demographic and we all use cycling for different purposes, whether its fitness of travel.

“I used to drive into town, but now I jump on the bike.

“My lifestyle and fitness changed hugely and I’ve lost two stones.

“Cycling has completely changed my life and my wife says I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.”

The father-of-one said the new group, which will hold its first committee meeting next week, aimed to “get cycling in the psyche”.

The voluntary group will be holding a monthly Cycle in the Park ride and the first will be at Clifton Park on Sunday, January 12, at 10am.

The first Cycle Rotherham committee meeting will be on Tuesday, January 7, at 7pm at the Bluecoats pub in Rotherham, near the Town Hall.

All are welcome to both events.

For more information about Cycle Rotherham contact Andrew on 07956 028025 or email [email protected].