SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S MAYOR UNVEILS SOUTH YORKSHIRE BY BIKE ROUTE WITH FAMILY FRIENDLY SECTIONS

Published 26 July 2024 at 2:30pm

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has unveiled the route of a new 250km bike route, South Yorkshire by Bike, taking in every corner of the region.

Designed to encourage communities to get involved in the fun and freedom of cycling, it also includes multiple family friendly sections, for people to explore.
The route, which links the four local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, showcases the best of South Yorkshire’s history, scenery and infrastructure.

It was launched by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and Triple Olympic Champion and South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner Ed Clancy at the start of the community Rock up and Ride at the Sheffield Grand Prix on July 17.

Ed Clancy and Emily Chappell, cycling hero and influencer who designed the route, rode the 250km circuit over three days from Friday 19 July until Sunday 21 July. And today, (22 July) the full route is being unveiled as well as some of the family friendly sections that are easy to manage and fun to complete.
Setting off from Rotherham Central the route takes in all four corners of the region taking in stunning scenery, cities, towns, country parks and waterways before circling back towards the train station.
The route also has several family friendly sections including rides at Rother Valley Country Park, Thurcroft Old Mineral Line, Five Weirs Walk and Blackburn Valley Trail.

Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “We have a huge amount to be proud of in South Yorkshire. Our new South Yorkshire by Bike cycle route showcases just some of those truly amazing places and spaces, our history and our future.

“The route has eight family friendly sections, so it’s the ideal way to support people of any age to get out and about, and to build their confidence in cycling as well as seeing the very best of our region.
“I want South Yorkshire to be a place where everyone has the choice and the chance to travel and move differently.

“Getting people in South Yorkshire moving more and moving differently is key to my ambitions for improving our region’s health, wellbeing and happiness.
“South Yorkshire by Bike is all about breaking down the barriers that stop people getting out to enjoy cycling and helping our communities to explore the very best that South Yorkshire has to offer, whether that’s our heritage, cultural sites, waterways, stunning countryside, or infrastructure. That’s why I’m proud to share this route, so that everyone can get out there and go and see for themselves.”

Ed Clancy, South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner, said: “A big part of my mission to help people to walk, wheel or cycle more is not only providing the confidence and the right environment to give it a go, but also getting more people excited about the fun and freedom of cycling.

“South Yorkshire is a beautiful region and we want to create as many great places to cycle everyday journeys as we can over the coming years. South Yorkshire by Bike showcases the best South Yorkshire has to offer, visiting some brilliant places for short, easy bike rides, taking in industrial heritage, cultural attractions and green spaces.

“Special thanks to the epic Emily Chappell for bringing us the new 250km South Yorkshire by Bike route. Plus, to the inspiring people and volunteers that we met on our ride, who work tirelessly helping people get walking, wheeling and cycling more in our communities.”

The full route, and family-friendly sections are available to view on www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/sybb.