Cycle Chesterfield

Chesterfield Cycling Festival 2 to 10 June 2023

Words & Image: Paul Chapman

Cycle Chesterfield are a group of about 200 members who have a love of cycling, some are activists, some commuters, some are racers, some just ride with the kids every now and then, but what they do is act as an advocacy group to improve cycling infrastructure across the town. They were previously the Chesterfield Cycle Campaign but recently rebranded. The group have been active in suggesting and championing the East West Cycle route that will see dedicated cycling infrastructure running from the junction of Holymoor Road and Chatsworth Road right through town to the hospital. Work has started, and much of the infrastructure is already in place, such as the bridge linking the paths behind Ravenside Retail Park to the Railway Station. During this phase we'll see new sections of the two way lane along Chatsworth Road and the path through Somersall Park/Walton Dam. Once complete it will enable cyclists and pedestrians to move around in a traffic free, and safer environment, and thankfully, provide a much cleaner less muddy route across the park and dam! cyclefestchesterfield cyclechesterfield www.cyclechesterfield.org

To coincide with national Bike Week from 3 to 11 June this year, the group are excited to announce Chesterfield's first ever Festival of Cycling. The aim is to encourage more people to get out on their bikes for essential or leisure journeys. One element of this will be promoting and exploring some of the excellent cycle routes around Chesterfield giving people who are keen to get on their bikes information and confidence to find these traffic free routes.

Check out cyclinguk.org/bikeweek for information about bike week, they also have a number of challenges; burn 100 calories by cycling, there's a chart showing you what you'll need to do based on your weight etc; save £100 by cycling to work, or build up to a big challenge and cycle 100 miles. Back in Chesterfield, if you want to get involved with Cycle Chesterfield, membership is just £5 for an adult, £10 for a family (two adults and two children). If you're a rider and would like to assist on any of the planned rides, or have an idea for another ride to add to the programme please get in touch. You could volunteer to lead a ride, be a joint leader, act as back marker, or just come along to share your knowledge and interest in our area.

If you are interested in helping please contact Martin Farr at rides@cyclechesterfield.org in the next couple of weeks.

A copy of the provisional programme is shown on the right, and look out for times and more details on social media.