Cycling is enjoying a resurgence and increased media exposure in the last few years.
But is this just a brief frenzy resulting from the major sporting events in Yorkshire or is there a long term wider reason, and what are the benefits to the district from this popularity?
No doubt the start of the Tour de France, which passed through Kirklees last July, will have helped but in reality Government and councils have been, in theory at least, seeking to encourage cycling for some time, with differing degrees of success.
None have had tourism and the economy in the spotlight though. For whilst these huge sporting spectacles provide great TV coverage as a sport, what they also do, and this was one of the primary functions of the Tour de France, is to give the opportunity for a region, district or council to showcase itself to the world
As the riders race past in a colourful lycra-clad blur, the spectators will have been in the area for hours on some stages of the major races days. To the local businesses that has traditionally offered an almost captive audience to benefit from. On the continent that benefit is not by extortionate parking and camping costs, on the contrary the essence of major cycle events is the cosmopolitan camp sites at the side of the major climbs, a true melting pot of cultures and countries.
Cycle Tourism is big business, worth over £635 million so naturally there is competition for that money. So what’s the position in Kirklees?
We now have a number of very cycle friendly cafes, and as a cyclist I look for a welcoming setting and safe parking for my bike as much as how many types of coffee they may sell. From a business perspective, a cyclist - and they usually come in groups - will usually stop for under an hour, pay an average of £5 for a bacon sarnie and coffee and so represents a good cash flow turnover for a business.
The market is growing also as projects such as Streetbikes in Kirklees encourage more and more people onto bikes, and membership of cycling clubs is rocketing
Local traders and councils should look at what they are doing to ensure that repeat custom and word of mouth recommendation. Security for bikes at a cafes for example does not need major engineering works, a simple metal ring set into the wall, like there are for dogs,gives a point to lock the bike to?
Last year for the districts biggest annual charity cycle event, the Brian Robinson Challenge, we saw more corporate teams entering and one rider from Texas, USA. It has been proven that such events draw people to stay over in the area and so spend money. .
More people cycling can have other local benefits, again if provision and planning take place, as secure parking at rail stations can encourage commuters to leave the car for short journeys, freeing up road space
Regular exercise has proven health benefits, provided the roads and routes are safe, and whilst not directly benefiting can save our health providers millions per year.
To find out when the Tour de Yorkshire will pass close to you check our guide here.
To see where the spectator hubs are with big screens, entertainment and refreshments follow this link
And here's the route that passes through our area - stage three - in pictures
