Leeds celebrated in style over the weekend, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Yorkshire’s memorable hosting of the Tour de France Grand Depart.
The city’s streets were bustling with activity as hundreds of amateur cyclists participated in the Legacy Ride on Sunday, a mass cycling event marking the significant milestone. On Saturday, City Square was alive with a bicycle-themed array of activities, competitions, and family-friendly fun, making it a festive weekend for all.
The weekend’s events vividly demonstrated how cycling has become increasingly integral to local life in Leeds, a decade after the Grand Depart. According to research conducted by Leeds City Council, from 2017 to 2023, there was a notable 40% increase in the usage of cycle lanes within the city center and its surrounding areas.
Today, cycle routes in central Leeds span over 12 kilometers. This expanding network offers safe, interconnected, and eco-friendly travel options that not only facilitate easy movement around the city center but also bolster the council’s initiatives to promote active travel and support its net-zero environmental goals. Additionally, Leeds’s commitment to enhancing cycling infrastructure was further strengthened last year with the introduction of Leeds City Bikes, a fully electric public bike hire service.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development said:
“I’m proud to see our city come together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Grand Depart in Yorkshire. The enthusiasm and support from residents, whether interested in cycling or people who ride a bike themselves, made the day truly special.
“We want Leeds to be a city where you don’t need a car. A key part of this is expanding and supporting our cycling network to encourage greater uptake of active travel in a safe and sustainable way. We have a vision that by 2040 there will be no road deaths in Leeds and designing infrastructure that caters for all road users is one of the ways we’re trying to achieve this.”
Over the past decade, Leeds has made significant strides in enhancing its cycling infrastructure, including the development of segregated cycle lanes. This is a key component of the city council’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate all fatal and serious road injuries in Leeds by 2040.
The celebration of a sport-filled summer in Leeds continued on Saturday at the City Square, next to Leeds train station. This area, which was reimagined last year by Connecting Leeds as part of the Vision Zero strategy, has transformed into a reclaimed public space. Through-traffic has been removed, creating a safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
At the City Square event space, a variety of activities were available for families to explore the world of cycling. British Cycling set up a pump track, providing a fun opportunity for young people to experience cycling. Additionally, those who brought their bikes had the chance to register them with Bike Register, ensuring they could be reunited with their bikes in the event of theft. For maintenance needs, the Dr. Bike service provided bike checks and repairs, helping cyclists keep their bikes in top condition.
As a part of the broader ‘Walk it Ride it’ campaign, initiated this year by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, representatives from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority attended the City Square event. They discussed the advantages of adopting sustainable transportation methods such as walking, cycling, and wheeling.
On Sunday, hundreds of cyclists tackled one of three demanding routes — 70km, 120km, or 230km, that took them through some of Yorkshire’s most picturesque roads and locations, leading right into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
In a poignant homage, a team from Leeds City Council’s Safe and Sustainable Travel division participated in the Legacy Ride to honor the memory of Dawn Barrett, who led the launch of Leeds City Bikes before her untimely passing from terminal cancer in 2023. The team completed a relay on the three-speed electric Leeds City Bikes, each covering 25km through the challenging terrain of the Yorkshire Dales countryside.
Matt Mannakee, director and co-founder of Struggle Events said:
“What a brilliant turnout we had from the local community and cyclists from all over the country. The Tour de France has had a lasting impact on Yorkshire’s cycling scene, so it was great to celebrate that legacy.”
Ben Davison, director and co-founder of Axiologik said:
“The Grand Depart will go down in Yorkshire’s history as a landmark event that kickstarted a new era of cycling. It was a real treat to play a part in commemorating such an unforgettable event by sponsoring Legacy Ride and to celebrate such a memorable day with friends and clients.”
Leeds City Bikes has emerged as a pivotal player in transforming Leeds into a more sustainable and connected urban space. Launched with the aim of making cycling an accessible option for everyone in the city, this public bike hire service is driving forward Leeds’ ambitious cycling and environmental goals.
Leeds City Bikes rolled out as a response to the growing need for more sustainable transport options within the city. The service offers fully electric bikes, which are available for hire at numerous stations spread across Leeds. These bikes provide a fast, green, and cost-effective way to navigate the city, aligning with broader environmental initiatives and the city’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
The service operates on a simple and user-friendly model. Bikes can be hired and returned at any of the numerous docking stations located strategically around Leeds. With an easy-to-use app, residents and visitors can locate the nearest bike, unlock it, and go about their day. The electric assist feature on these bikes helps to tackle hills and longer distances effortlessly, making cycling a viable option for a broader range of people.
Leeds City Bikes offers numerous advantages to its users and the broader community:
Health and Wellness: Encouraging regular physical activity, the bikes contribute to improved fitness and overall well-being.
Environmental Impact: By reducing reliance on cars, the service helps lower traffic congestion and air pollution, supporting Leeds’ environmental sustainability goals.
Accessibility: The electric assist feature ensures that cycling is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, making it a practical option for a diverse range of users.
Economic Savings: With affordable hire rates, the bikes provide a cost-effective alternative to public transport and private car use.
Leeds City Bikes is not just a mode of transportation; it’s a step towards a healthier, greener, and more connected city. By making cycling accessible and convenient, Leeds City Bikes is helping to build a sustainable future for all residents www.beryl.cc
