Cranbrook gears up for Tour of Britain

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 12:12pm

Young people across Cranbrook have brought new meaning to the term ‘recycling’ by creating an eye-catching and colourful town-wide public art display from old bikes.

In all 14 bikes have been painted, decorated and placed around the town – and now visitors are being challenged to find them all.

The bikes have been decorated by members of the Cranbrook Youth Group, Youth Genesis and students from Cranbrook Education Campus and St Martins Primary School, with each bike painted in the colours of one of the competing teams.

It’s all part of preparations for when the Tour of Britain comes to town in just a few weeks’ time.

Stage 2 of the race will take place on Monday September 3 and start in Cranbrook, the first time a national sporting event has come to the town.

The race covers 174km (108miles) of stunning countryside across East Devon, Mid Devon and North Devon and finishes in the historic estuary town of Barnstaple.

It is hosted by Devon County Council, supported by East Devon District Council and North Devon Council and working with Cranbrook Town Council and Barnstaple Town Council.

The network of bikes has been delivered by Sustrans and its Active Travel to Schools project which works with teachers, parents and governors to encourage pupils and their families to cycle, scoot and walk to and from school.

The project is funded by Devon County Council as part of the Access Fund.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for cycling said: “The bikes look fantastic and I want to thank all the young people for the hard work they have put in. It’s great that the Tour of Britain is inspiring so many young people to saddle up and start cycling. On race day this town is going to be buzzing and I’m sure that some of Britain’s future cycling star live and go to school here in  Cranbrook!”

Tania Beard, Head Teacher St Martins CofE Primary and Nursery School said: “The children really enjoyed decorating the bicycles and this event, in addition to the assembly that Charlotte (Active Travel Officer) led, has got the children really excited about the Tour of Britain and I know many of them are planning to go and see the start of the race - such a fabulous thing to be happening in Cranbrook!”

Jon Oliviero, Team Lead, Youth Genesis, said: “The young people had great fun spray painting their bike – it gave them the opportunity to find out about the Tour of Britain and learn more about healthy lifestyles.”

Charlotte Stokes, Active Travel Officer, Sustrans, said: “The opportunity to spray paint a bike doesn't come every day! The children came up with designs with great enthusiasm, learning about the teams that will be competing in the Tour of Britain on the day.  It is great to see the buzz for cycling that the Tour is bringing to a new town.”

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