Parliamentary praise for Otley cycling strategy (From Wharfedale Observer)

Parliamentary praise for Otley cycling strategy

11:34am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

A new cycling strategy for Otley has been hailed in Parliament.

Otley Town Council unanimously backed the Do You Ride? initiative, put together by Otley Sportive and other volunteers, last week.

The strategy aims to build upon the legacy of last year’s Olympics, and looks ahead to Otley’s involvement in the 2014 Tour de France, by taking steps to make the town more cyclist-friendly and to promote the sport.

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West), who opened last year’s Otley Sportive, an annual, fun-based day of different length cycle races, has now tabled a Parliamentary motion hailing the Do You Ride? scheme.

He said: “I am delighted further steps have been taken to cement Otley’s reputation as a national cycling town.

“This strategy will improve the cycling facilities in the town and enhance the role of cycling in the community, and provide a fitting legacy following the Olympics, leading up to the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.

“This is a fantastic initiative and it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of project leader Luke Minshall of Otley Sportive. “Cycling is an important part of getting people moving: it’s healthy and by getting more people out of their cars and on their bikes, we can ease congestion and have a positive impact on the environment.”