COUNCILLORS hope politics will be left at home when it comes to promoting cycling in Huddersfield.

That’s why Kirklees councillors of all political persuasions have formed a cross-party cycling group.

The group is the brainchild of Mirfield Conservative councillor and Cycling Touring Club (CTC) development officer Martyn Bolt.

It hopes to persuade people to ride rather than drive by making cycling around Kirklees easier, safer and more enjoyable.

The group hopes that by promoting cycling in the borough it will improve people’s health and fitness as well as reduce the amount of pollution around towns in Kirklees.

As well as improving and expanding the cycle path network in the district, the group hopes to educate people about the benefits of cycling.

Clr Bolt said: “We can discuss things we want to see like the education of all road users and the engineering of roads to make them more friendly to cyclists.

“The beauty of a cross-party group is you can find common issues, it’s out of the council chamber and you’re all working towards the same ends.”

Lindley Conservative councillor Mark Hemingway said: “Cycling is my main mode of transport. It’s quicker than having to take your car into town and park it.

“The more cyclists you get on the road, the safer it becomes.”

Golcar Labour councillor Paul Salveson added: “The council is taking over the public health responsibility this year so it’s more important than ever.

“We need cycling parties in town so it’s not seen as the poor relation to the car and because of the environmental and health benefits.”

Kirklees’s network of cycle paths expanded early this month when a new bridleway was opened between Sands Lane, Dewsbury, and Chickenley.

When the project, run by Kirklees and Wakefield councils as well as Sustrans, a Government funded sustainable transport group, is finished cyclists will be able to ride from Huddersfield to Wakefield without having to use busy roads.