With traffic forecast to increase by some 25 per cent by 2010, Government and local authorities are working hard to relieve the inevitable congestion by spending millions on so-called road improvements.
Obvious alternatives to using the car would be to walk or cycle short journeys and in this context it is staggering to note that 25 to 30 per cent of all car journeys are of less than two miles. Whilst not all of us are physically capable of doing these distances on foot or bike, nevertheless, we see every day examples of perfectly fit citizens jumping into their cars to go literally just a few hundred metres to collect their newspapers or to deliver their children to school.
In this latter context, it is disturbing to note that 10 per cent of our school children are considered obese which is more than double the figure 10 years ago.
The potential benefits of cycling in terms of health and convenience have been widely recognised and to this end, training schemes for school pupils throughout Pembrokeshire have become almost standard. But what has been missing so far is a similar scheme for erstwhile cyclists or even for those adults who have never cycled.
Paul Rich is the local CTC (the national cyclists organisation) representative and is working with council officers to develop adult cycle training schemes. These are geared to start very soon, with the first group of 15 or more adults undergoing this preliminary training in the Haverfordwest area.
Following the success of this pilot scheme, it is planned to extend adult cycle training to Tenby and Pembroke.
As Paul said: "I talk to many people, cyclists and non-cyclists, in connection with my duties to promote cycling and it is clear that there is a sizeable group of ex-cyclists who would love to be given the opportunity to take up cycling again. The early start of Adult Cycle Training is very timely and these adults will be able to join in the Pedalling Picnic rides which are being organised north and south of the county to celebrate National Bike Week, June 14-22.
The Pedalling Picnic rides are social events suitable for family and adults alike of all abilities and will cover quite modest distances. Two National Bike Week events are being organised from St. Florence. Firstly, the school will be doing what is by now an annual event, which is their five-mile challenge on Friday, June 20, for pupils, staff, parents and friends. The second event will be held on Saturday, June 21, in the form of a Pedalling Picnic and will follow the Celtic Trail to Wisemans Bridge returning via Devonshire Drive.
For more details about the Adult Cycle Training scheme, readers should contact the council's sustainable transport officer on (01437) 776364, or Paul Rich on (01834) 871391.