Bid to get town people on their bikes

Not content with discussing Tewkesbury's new health programme in a boardroom, its leaders jumped into the saddle for a meeting on two wheels.

The team of 12 experienced the town by bike to see at first hand what needs to be done to improve it for cyclists and how commuters can be helped out of their cars and onto their bikes.

During the three-hour meeting, the group travelled through areas including Prior's Park, Wheatpieces, Northway, Mitton and the town centre, discussing ways in which they can be improved for cyclists.

Chris Shaw, Count Me In! board member, said: "All partners agreed that the cycle tour opened up new perspectives on issues and would help the board take forward the opportunity to make the town a healthier place to live in."

Count Me In! is the Healthy Towns project for Tewkesbury. It is a government-funded programme of events and activities to increase residents' understanding of food and nutrition, the environment and physical activity, to help them live a happy, healthy life in a clean environment.

Included in the cycle group were the Count Me In! board partners, including representatives from Gloucestershire county and Tewkesbury borough councils, the county's primary care trust, Gloucestershire Food Vision, Active Gloucestershire and the University of Gloucestershire.

The meeting highlighted the need for improvements in the cycle network, signs and cycle parking.

It took place after the Count Me In! programme hosted a week of cycling events as part of national Bike Week.

An information event for employees at the Basepoint Business Park was followed by a Bike to Work day.

A public event in partnership with Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Cycle Campaign offered advice to would-be cyclists in Tewkesbury.

More information is available at www.countmeintewkesbury.co.uk