On your bike - Olympian opens new children's cycling facility in Hyde

Former olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman was on hand to help open a brand new children’s cycling facility in Hyde last week (Tuesday 17 September).

The simulated road circuit, based at the Bennet Street Youth Centre, resembles a giant children’s play mat, complete with road markings and signs and is used to train children on riding their bikes on the road before they take to the street for real.

It’s all part of Greater Manchester’s plan to get more young people cycling. 250 million car journeys of less than 1km are taken each year in Greater Manchester with 20 per cent of those travelling to and from school. Tameside are hoping schemes like this will get children out of the cars and cycling to the classroom.

1992 Individual Pursuit Olympic Gold Medallist Chris Boardman was joined by Cllr Peter Robinson, who was instrumental in helping the youth centre secure the external funding, Cllr Leanne Feeley, the executive member for lifelong learning, equalities, culture and heritage, school children from Russell Scott Primary School in Denton and the builders that helped turn the plans into a reality.

As well as being open to those attending the youth club, the facility will also be used to deliver the boroughs bikeability training - something that Chris Boardman believes is crucial in getting more children using pedal power. He said: “This is part of the puzzle and what they’ve done in Tameside - which I think is fantastic - is first of all they’ve created a facility that allows them to give bike ability training. It’s streets away much better than the old cycling proficiency. They get really good training in a safe place with all the components they need.

“It’s giving them that opportunity - the skills to do it. The parents know that they can do it safely and know what all the road signage means which is whats all around us. That’s the sort of stuff that makes a difference.”

Melissa Hopwood is the Integrated Youth Manager at Tameside Council and was proud of what they’ve been able to achieve with the money. “When I think about what was in my mind at the time I never thought wed get this” she said.

“I thought if I am high even something below that would be great but now its here and it’s all together its amazing. It’s superseded my expectations.

“The reality is about empowering children and young people to have the confidence to learn about road use and road signage without being on a road.”

The track is open to all young people every Tuesday evening and there is no need to book. Any schools wanting to get involved should contact the council on 0161 342 3799.