How the Tour made Essex cycling-mad

By Richard Monk
Wednesday, 06 May 2015
Cycling transport in the wilds of Essex
Forget Yorkshire, God's own country. Forget Boris Bikes - Essex is where it's happening when it comes to cycling says Richard Monk, CTC's local cycling officer.

It woz the Tour de France wot done it. That's my opinion. The iconic race flew through Essex that sunny day last July - and the public took cycling to their hearts. There was an amazing atmosphere with packed streets and every blade of verge-side grass filled. The picturesque Finchingfield village green was a sea of people. But that's not the end of the story.

Something changed.

CTC, has been doing fantastic work to get more people cycling in the county over many years. We've had lots of support, with special mention to Colchester Borough Council, who have hosted CTC and given unswerving help.  But, even with that support we've had nothing like the reaction that followed the race. Suddenly, authorities and agencies were approaching CTC, suggesting new initiatives and keen to put in time and effort to make the activities happen.

Chelmsford launched WoMEn Time and recognised cycling. We're now getting many more women back on a bike and teaching many how to cycle for the first time.

Mid Essex Hospitals are energetically embracing cycling as a great and healthy activity for staff and the public alike.

Tendring District Council, already long-term supporters of cycling with their own Tour de Tendring and hosting the women's Tour of Britain, want to help us get more people cycling in Jaywick, with Inclusion Ventures.

And Braintree, which had already been positive about cycling, have introduced cycle training, bike maintenance classes and bringing the Women's Tour back on 18th June. Not satisfied with that, they have asked CTC to help them with a festival to showcase cycling on Saturday 20th June.

So life in the cycling fast lane is hectic. There are still some things that are a bit trickier to change. Colchester has received some bad publicity about the county attitude to walking and cycling routes and CTC can't always agree with some of the decisions taken, even though Essex Highways has consistently funded CTC to deliver training and activities for new cyclists.

But, probably the greatest positive influence for cycling has come through Active Essex, which led the Essex Tour de France arrangements last year. They demonstrated that the public are thirsty for and supportive of more cycling options and they have continued to think bike and are determined to achieve a cycling legacy: 

  • for health,
  • as an efficient way of getting about, 
  • as a great activity for all the family,
  • for the sights people get to see, 
  • for the freedom it gives and
  • for the pure enjoyment it offers.

Long may the Tour effect continue!

Family cycling