Record numbers sign up for Devon Cycle Challenge

A record number of organisations from across the county have signed up for this year’s Devon Cycle Challenge, which returns next month.

More than 140 workplaces have already registered to take part in the free challenge which will run throughout September. That’s 50 more organisations than last year, when over 1,500 people supported the campaign, and there is still plenty of time to sign up before Thursday 1 September.

The friendly competition is being organised by Devon County Council in partnership with Love to Ride.

The Devon Cycle Challenge is open to anyone who lives or works in the area, and organisations compete against each other to encourage as many of their staff as possible to ride a bike anywhere, anytime in September. Anyone who logs a ride of at least 10 minutes is eligible to win prizes, including bikes, a Riverford recipe box, Co-Bikes membership, Adventurecise vouchers, movie tickets, vouchers and more.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: “The interest in cycling in Devon is continuing to grow year on year. Last year’s Devon Cycle Challenge was a great success, with more than 290 people inspired to cycle for the first time in more than a year, and I’m pleased to see even more organisations signing up this time around.

“The challenge aims to get people on their bikes and enjoy the benefits of riding - improving health, saving money and helping to tackle congestion. It gives organisations and their staff the incentive to give cycling a try and hopefully it will encourage more people to cycle more often, either on their daily commute or in their spare time. It’s free to register and only takes a minute to sign up, so there’s no reason not to give it a try.”

The Love to Ride website features local and national league tables and individuals can track their miles and days logged. Participants can also log rides in the Challenge by joining their profile to their favourite smartphone apps, including Ride Report, Moves, Strava, Endomondo, and Map My Fitness.

The Devon Cycle Challenge is part of a package of measures being delivered by Devon County Council using Sustainable Travel Transition Year funding from the Department of Transport, to encourage more people to walk, cycle, travel by public transport or car share.

For more information or to sign up to the challenge go to http://www.lovetoride.net/devon