A bumper summer of cycling on Bradford-Leeds superhighway

Monday, 13 August 2018 16:00

Record numbers have been making the most of the summer weather on Bradford and Leeds cycling infrastructure, which was either built or improved as part of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £60m CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to cycle and walk.

Between May and July almost 120,000 trips were made on the Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway, which at 14km is the longest route of its kind in the UK. This is an overall increase of 26% on last year.

More than 10,000 journeys were made on the Stanningley Road section during July alone - the best month for usage since the cycle superhighway opened in 2016.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “We’re delighted so many people have been making the most of these routes – not to mention the great weather – and travelling in a way that boosts their health and saves them money, as well as bringing wider environmental and economic benefits.

“Since opening in July 2016 the Superhighway has been used for more than 700,000 cycle trips, opening up walking and cycling routes to some of our most disadvantaged communities and connecting people with opportunities for work, training and leisure.

“We’re putting people at the heart of what we’re doing because we want West Yorkshire to be a place where nobody is left behind and everyone benefits from a modern transport network and a strong, successful economy.”

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