Cycle Winchester records highest ever turnout

An estimated 420 cyclists participated in the seventh annual mass ride, as organised by Cycle Winchester. The aim of the event was to further engage the public in cycling, as a travel alternative to driving. Emma Street, a volunteer for Cycle Winchester said that this year’s event had: “Amazing turnout, so that’s bigger than any of our previous mass rides by far, this is our seventh mass ride.”

The Mass Ride concluded with a processional lap around Winchester’s Broadway, near the King Alfred statue. The event began at 10:00 am and lasted for an hour. Cycle routes took place across the city, Badger’s Farm, Stanmore and Weeke just being some of the locations before the cyclists converged at the Broadway.

Max Priesemann, of the Winchester Green Party spoke to Winol about his hopes for the future of cycling participation in the city: “If you perhaps compare Winchester to places like Cambridge, yes it is more hilly than that and that is a barrier for some people. But like I said, e-bikes are quite affordable nowadays and certainly cheaper than the car.”

Martin Tod, the Leader of Winchester City Council said: “[Cycling] is about everybody, it’s about families, it’s about children, old people, young people, what you see when you come on the Mass Ride is people of all ages from all parts of the city, from near the city, enjoying cycling and showing, what the future could look like.”

Cycle Winchester told Winol that is hoped that this year’s well-attended Mass Ride can be a springboard for future events and to encourage more people to get into cycling.