Cycle of success

The Peak District is now more cycle-friendly than ever after two years of work with local businesses to raise awareness of how to boost cycling tourism.  

Since December 2016, the Pedal Peak for Business project (led by the Peak District National Park and supported by Derbyshire Dales District Council and Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire) has been helping businesses to welcome cyclists, developing a cycle tourism toolkit to identify cyclists’ needs and attract the cycling market.   

Now the project has just produced four new cycle guides aimed at leisure cyclists who are looking for short/medium circular routes. The four guides, which cover the Bakewell, Ashbourne, Matlock and the Hope Valley areas, are available in print and as digital downloads at visitpeakdistrict.com/cycleguides.

The routes use quiet roads, traffic-free trails and sections of the National Cycle Network and link cycle hire, places of interest and opportunities for refreshments. 

Steve Capes, head of regeneration and policy at Derbyshire Dales District Council said: “We want more visitors to book holidays in the Derbyshire Dales, and these new routes will help cyclists enjoy our beautiful villages, scenery and food and drink.  They are perfect for a short break, so I’d encourage people to get booking their stay this Easter.”

Project officer Carol Parsons added: “These new routes will help people discover some of the best places to visit by bike in and around the Peak District, with views, minimal traffic and an abundance of cycle friendly cafes, pubs and accommodation.”

The £350,000 initiative, part of the wider £1.49 million Growing and Developing the Visitor Economy within Derbyshire project, led by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire (MPDD) was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, MPDD, Derbyshire County Council, Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA), Derbyshire Dales District Council and High Peak Borough Council.

A total of £100,000 has been allocated in grants, helping more than 50 businesses to buy new cycle-friendly products and services, including cycle stores, workstations and fixed pumps.

The project has also provided over a dozen ‘Welcoming Cyclists’ and other business support workshops, produced 20 cycle route maps, nine inspirational short videos and linked up to a national ‘Cyclists Welcome’ scheme which helps people find cycle-friendly places to eat and stay.

Jo Dilley, managing director at Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said: “We are delighted that so many local businesses have been able to benefit from the cycle grants and business support available.  Cycle tourism is an important growth market for the area; with so many businesses now offering new services, we are able to provide the facilities required for an enjoyable short break, plus a warm welcome to cyclists looking to enjoy the Peak District on two wheels.”