MP praises Otley as “cycling centre”

The West Yorkshire town of Otley has been praised in Parliament as a “national centre for cycling”, according to the Wharfedale and Aireborough Observer.

On Tuesday, Greg Mulholland, the Lib Dem MP whose constituency includes the market town, tabled a Parliamentary motion in favour of Otley’s promotion of cycling.,

Otley has successful annual town centre races, a cycling festival and sportive, and is the home town of Olympic silver medalist Lizzie Armitstead. Not a bad record at all for a town of just 14,000.

Mulholland said: “I am delighted that Otley has demonstrated such interest, talent and enthusiasm in cycling such that it has established itself as a national centre for the sport.

“Annual events such as the town centre races and cycling festival have further boosted Otley’s profile as a centre for cycling, as have the exploits of Lizzie Armitstead at the amazing London 2012 Olympics.

“Other events, like Otley Sportive, offer an excellent opportunity for riders of all levels to get on their bikes and test themselves, or simply try cycling for the first time.

“The many cycling activities taking place in Otley are a fantastic way of enriching the community while also offering a platform from which those inspired by London 2012 can get involved with sports at a local level.

“This is of vital importance at this time to ensure the legacy of the Olympics is delivered.”

Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, Julian Huppert MP, also praised the town. He said: “Across the country, thousands are adopting cycling as a healthy, cheap and efficient form of transport, and an excellent pastime. I am delighted to see Otley leading the way.”

Image: Otley cycle races by tj.blackwell via Flickr