Free cycling courses for over 50s in York

Free cycling courses are being offered to people over 50 in York as part of Age Concern’s Fit As A Fiddle project. Similar sessions took place earlier this year and proved a success. The scheme, funded by the Big Lottery, includes six free cycling courses this month and next month in Acomb, Haxby, Fulford, New Earswick, Rawcliffe and Rowntree Park.

The free cycling courses will cover basic bike maintenance, cycling training and confidence and a led cycle ride by qualified instructors in the last week. They are aimed at beginners but those with experience can join as well.

The first course starts at York RI in New Lane, Acomb, tomorrow, at 11.30am.
City of York Council's sport and active leisure team joined forces with Age Concern to offer York residents aged 50 and over the chance to try a range of different activities for free.

The project - 'Fit as a Fiddle' - has been designed to make people over 50 more aware of the physical activity opportunities available across the city. Sessions earlier this year included line dancing, chair based exercise classes, pilates, tai chi, fun and easy aerobics, yoga, square dancing, country dancing, bowling, petanque, archery and salsa.

After each session participants will be informed of where they can continue to participate in the sport if they wish to.

For more information telephone Fit As A Fiddle co-ordinator for Age Concern Katie Ellis on 01904 553440 or email katie.ellis [at] york.gov.

Those who wish to continue cycling could take advantage of the citywide cycle route map from Cycling City York, which includes details of all the new cycle routes that Cycling City York has funded during the past year, as well as useful journey information for those commuting to and from work, school or college and people cycling in their spare time.

The maps are free of charge and available from cycle shops, libraries, leisure centres, City of York Council offices and from the Cycling City York website at www.york.gov.uk/cycling.

York has recently been awarded Cycling City status which means £3.68m of government money is helping to fund further improvements to cycling facilities in the city and get more people cycling.

Cycling City York is also targeting to increase the number of cycle trips to work overall by 10 per cent by 2010.