The Bradley Stoke Journal

A bike versus car rush hour challenge, which saw a cyclist race a driver between the Willow Brook Centre and the Aztec West Business Park on Tuesday last week, was won in convincing style by the two-wheeled competitor.

Rider Craig Denning of Dream Cycling Club took on Jack fm driver Martin Hiscox over the 1.2 mile route, with the pair departing from outside the Giant cycle store at precisely 8am.

The stunt, carefully conceived to promote the Council’s improved cycle routes in the town, saw the accomplished racing cyclist cover the stretch in an astonishing 3 minutes and 48 seconds.

Car driver Martin, who had to first drive through the car park of the Willow Brook Centre (speed limit 10mph) in order to reach Bradley Stoke Way via Savages Wood Road, trailed in more than eleven minutes later in 15 minutes and 11 seconds.

On arrival at Aztec West, the competitors were met by the Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Janet Biggin.

Read on to find out how the cyclist conquered the traffic queues »

A local radio station is to stage a rush hour challenge to see if a cyclist can beat a motorist on the journey from Bradley Stoke to Aztec West.

Next Tuesday’s Big Bike Challenge on Jack fm will see the radio station’s driver take on a two-wheeled rival from cycling organisation Better by Bike between the Willow Brook Centre and the the Aztec West Business Park.

The radio station will be broadcasting live from outside the Bradley Stoke Giant cycle store from 7:40am on Tuesday 21st September with the competitors setting off at around 8am.

The results of the challenge will be revealed later on the ‘That Morning Thing’ programme.

While the motorist will be taking the obvious route up Bradley Stoke Way and across the A38 roundabout, we understand that the cyclist will use the new Cycling City Route 4, which avoids the roundabout by using The Common East, Patchway Common and, via the A38 subway, Hempton Lane.

Read more about next Tuesday’s Big Bike Challenge »

South Gloucestershire Council has announced the dates and locations for this February half term’s Holiday Cycling Courses, which are being offered for free to children of all ages.

These courses are the ideal solution to give children a cycling confidence boost and get them out in the fresh air during half term without having to worry about the cost.

There are 3 levels available:

• Level 1 is for children from school year 3 and above (1 x 2.5 hour session)
• Level 2 is for children from school year 5 and above (3 x 2.5 hour sessions)
• Level 3 is for children from school year 7 and above (3 x 2.5 hour sessions)

The courses are on a ‘first come first served’ basis and are subject to change due to availability and numbers.

In Bradley Stoke, courses at all three levels will run at Meadowbrook Primary School between Monday 15th February and Friday 19th February.

The deadline for signing up for the courses is Friday 29th January.

More info: Holiday Courses (Better by Bike)

Related link: Walking and Cycling in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)