Felixstowe: Chance to explore top port on a cycle at big bike day

A NEW cycle map for Felixstowe will be launched this weekend as part of a special event to encourage people to get out and about on their bikes.

Felixstowe Bike Day is taking place at the Port of Felixstowe on Sunday and is part of the port’s award-winning Green Travel Plan initiative to encourage employees and others that work on and around the port to use sustainable transport.
But the event – which will run from 11am to 3pm – is not just for port employees, but is open to all members of the public wanting to find out more about cycling.
It will include displays by a BMX stunt team, guided cycle tours of the port, the chance to try electric bikes, find out more about cycling around the county, and a enjoy a variety of stalls selling bike supplies, and refreshments.
Visitors to the show – which can be reached via the old port entrance at the end of Carr Road, next to Adastral Close – can also take their own cycles along for a health check by trained mechanics.
Mayor of Felixstowe Mike Deacon and county councillor Graham Newman will launch the new Suffolk County Council Felixstowe Cycle Map at 12.30pm.

The cycle map will be similar to the already popular Ipswich and Lowestoft cycle maps, and will feature a directory of local cycle retailers/specialists, information for visitors/tourists so they can get out on their bikes, and hopefully reduce congestion in the town.
David Gledhill, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns the Port of Felixstowe, said: “We take our environmental and community responsibilities very seriously at HPUK, and are justly proud of our Green Travel Plan.
“Our Bike Day is an excellent opportunity for our employees, their families, and the wider public, to see the port from a different perspective, and provides a unique chance to explore it by bicycle.
“We hope that by encouraging our members of staff to ‘get on their bikes’ both for the sake of the environment and the health benefits associated with cycling, we can make a tangible difference in terms of carbon reduction and employee wellbeing.”
Employee cycle use at the port has increased from 6.8 per cent to 11.5pc since 2005.