Published Monday 27 September 2021 at 14:22
A new learn to ride track in Witton Park is open to residents after a British Cycling’s Places to Ride grant to encourage more people to ride a bike was awarded to BwD refresh.
The funding enabled the BwD refresh to put in place a new marked learn to ride track accessible to all, along with 2 adult folding trikes and helmets.
Delivered through a unique partnership between British Cycling, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Sport England, the Places to Ride programme has made £15 million available to ensure a lasting legacy in England from the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.
The refresh team will be making the most of utilising this wonderful new addition to one the many green spaces across BwD. and they hope to offer a variety of sessions for all ages to encourage people to get out on a bike. If you live, work, have a GP or are in full time education and are wanting to become more active, then the refresh team can help.
Councillor Derek Hardman, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen said:
This is a fantastic brand new facility for young children to begin learn to ride a bicycle in a safe manor. It’s an opportunity to get young children outdoors and hopefully as they grow up they will continue to cycle which is good for their fitness and health – it’s a great facility and I hope it will be used by many children across the borough.
Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Jackie Floyd, said:
I’m excited by the new track at Witton that enables families to have fun together outdoors. The positive ripple effect of learning to ride a bike at a young age, introduction to road awareness, it all helps with our Covid recovery and the longer term impact of the wellbeing of our town and the response to climate emergency. It’s all connected. I’ll be visiting with my grandson very soon. Thank you to all those who had the vision to create this space.
Find the latest programme times here https://refreshbwd.com/get-active/ or search www.refreshbwd.com
Here’s a preview of what you can expect from the new learn to ride track at Witton Park: