Introductory cycling skills session to mark the completion of the revamped Cassiobury Park trails – www.watford.gov.uk

Cyclists and walkers who have recently benefited from improvements to the network of cycleways and footpaths in Cassiobury Park, Watford Borough Council and the Watford Cycle Hub are hosting a Learn to Cycle session on July 26 (1.15pm-4.00pm), to ensure safe trail use for all parks. users.

The refurbishment, which was completed this month, included improving signage, painting markings and fixing surfaces. Work also included removing the white dividing line on Chemin du Cha Café and pooling these paths, as well as experimenting with the installation of a temporary Beryl Bike bay near Daisy’s in the Park ( also at the park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cassiobury Park Hub).

To also ensure safe use of the trails for all users of the award-winning open space park which is visited by over two million people, the July 26 Introductory Cycling Skills Session (1:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. near the Cha Café and Bandstand) will provide the practical skills and understanding that people need to get around by bike. This includes reading road signs, recognizing hazards and sharing space with pedestrians and road users.

This safe trail use was developed in consultation with the Friends of Cassiobury Park to allow for consistent shared use around the park for cyclists and walkers, as not all trails previously allowed cycling. The move also follows feedback from park users who were concerned that previous bike lanes were not being used as intended, causing issues between cyclists and walkers.

There were also concerns that giving way to cyclists via their own separate lane could also lead to excessive speed of bicycles and endanger pedestrians and dog walkers. The removal of split lanes will be continually reviewed and cyclists should follow considerate cycling messages.

Cassiobury Park Trail Improvements

Watford Mayor-elect Peter Taylor said: “In order to get more people into cycling and walking, we need to give people the best facilities and the best training to do so. The works and training courses at Cassiobury Park all contribute to the safe use of the network for cyclists and pedestrians, but will also hopefully encourage more people to walk and cycle in the long term.

“Projects like this also play an important role in helping people choose more active transportation, reaching our goal of net zero emissions, and enabling people to reap the health, environmental and social benefits. the savings offered by cycling and walking.”

Over the next two years, Watford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council are also developing a program of works to improve key cycling and walking routes through the town, such as Wiggenhall Road. This will help make safe active travel a long-term habit and help residents reap the associated benefits for health, air quality and congestion.

To find out more about the courses, please email [email protected]. You can also download the ‘Consider Cycling’ brochure from www.watford.gov.uk/cassioburypark.