Northants cycling project could fall victim to Cycling England axe

Funding to a Northamptonshire project which provides free cycle training to a wide spectrum of people who are new to or returning to cycling is to end in the spring leading to its possible closure, reports the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.

The Easy-Rider project, run under the auspices of Age Concern, uses cash from Cycling England to organise free social bike rides and provide training to a wide variety of able-bodied and disabled groups and individuals some of whom require specialised training sessions.

With the axing of Cycling England the funding will stop in March, leaving organisers of the now three-year-old project unclear as to its future.

Speaking to the Chronicle and Echo, Jason Williams, who designed and now leads the project, said: “It’s quite sad that we have got to this point. I’m hopeful we will be embraced by people who will go on to support us in the way we need.

“Over the past few years the project has become such a success and touched so many different people from different communities. We always knew the funding deal wasn’t forever but never thought it would end in such a way.”

Jason also updated road.cc on the latest developments and says he hopes to turn the project into a CTC-affiliated club which could then apply for funding to allow it to continue its current activities.

A survey of current project members is being undertaken to determine what kind of  club they would like to see formed and what type of services they would like to see provided in future.