SSB is pleased to work with Sustrans on holding various guided bike rides in the local area. The rides vary in length and difficulty – there are gentle rides more suitable for families, as well as others which take all day and cover more challenging terrain.  Perhaps you would like  to tackle the 50 mile ‘Discovering the Dartmoor Way’! Check the Blog pages and the events calendar to see whats coming up and if there’s a ride for you.

The Bike Bank

You can arrange a free loan of a bike from the SSB Bike Bank, on a first come basis

The South Brent Bike Bank was established by SSB in 2015 as a community resource offering a free lease of a bike for up to 7 days and promoting sustainable transport in and around South Brent. There are now 3 bikes; they are ideal for new riders, as they are easy to use and well suited to Devon being light and with plenty of gears for those hills. Each lease includes a cycle helmet and lights to get you on the road as well as a support pack full of advice, tips for new cyclists, links to cycling organisations in the area and maps.

For more information about how to join the Bike Bank download the Information & Guidance Sheet HERE.

The Bike Bank is open to adults of 16 years and over (those aged 16-18 will need a parent or guardian’s consent – download consent form HERE)

NB. You are strongly advised to wear a cycle helmet, in good condition, conforming to BS EN 1078 for your own protection when riding the bike – It is no longer possible for the Bike Bank scheme to provide these.

To borrow a bike you must register on the scheme. To register:

• Download and complete a registration form HERE and email it to bike@ssb.org.uk  or send/deliver it to: Penny Wainwright 1 Balmoral Villas Station Road, South Brent TQ10 9BB

Once you have registered, further instructions will be emailed to you and you will be able to choose and book out a bike from the green, secure cycle store at the Old School Community Centre.

If you are already registered download and complete a Booking Form HERE and email or send it to the address on the form

Please click on this link – ‘Hygeine Risk Assessment‘ and read and note the procedure to be used when hiring and returning a bike.

For more information email bike@ssb.org.uk or call Penny on 01364 72128

The new HIGHWAY CODE applies from 29 January 2022.

For information see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code;

The new Highway Code book will be available in April 2022. You can read the text here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1041273/the-highway-code-alteration-to-the-highway-code.pdf

For a comparison table showing the changes, see: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1037306/table-of-change-to-the-highway-code.pdf

and for specific rules for cyclists see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82).

Cycling Safely

Some of our younger followers working on an after school programme highlighted this useful page on Bike Safety – https://bobbinbikes.com/pages/bike-safety-in-the-uk

Cycling in the South Brent Parish Plan

Cycling is part of the Traffic and Transport section of South Brent’s Parish Plan 2016+, and SSB takes the lead for two of the relevant action points

• TT3: Maintain, and where possible lobby to improve, public transport, local ring-and-ride services and develop community transport options
• TT4: Improve the cycling experience: increase cycle walk lanes; shared use signage, develop SB bike bank project; e-bike charging points.

The Primrose Trail

SSB supports the development of the Primrose Trail and is represented on its Working Group/Board of Directors. The Primrose Trail will be an accessible,  multi-purpose, non-motorised route from the moor at South Brent to the sea at Kingsbridge. It will have a low enviromental impact and will follow, as closely as possible, the route of the old Primrose Line (which was closed as a railway line by Dr Beeching in 1963).

You can download an information leaflet about the Primrose Trail – Click here

A detailed feasibility study of the proposed development of the Primrose Trail has been undertaken: – Click here to download a copy.

The Primrose Trail Steering group has welcomed the mainly positive responses to the feasibility study. To read a further paper addressing some questions and concerns which have been raised about the proposal, Click here.

For more information see: www.primrosetrail.org/ or www.facebook.com/PrimroseTrail/ or email info@primrosetrail.org.

Resources

To find national and local policies and other resources linked to Greener Transport, Cycling and Active Travel – Click here

To download a list of ‘Active Travel’ references – Click here

See other cycling resource links and websites on the useful links page

Cycling News