Why I support Connect2

We asked four cyclists who live in the area what they think about the project.

Chris Ashford lives in Syston, near the Hobby Horse pub and cycles through the park, as an alternative traffic free route to the City Centre.” If it’s a nice day, or I have a bit more time on my hands, I cycle through Watermead and enjoy the wildlife. Most of my running routes involve Watermead too.” Chris finds that commuting can be a bit dicey when its wet, as the route can get blocked by flooding. “I’ve also come flying off my bike a few times when going across the bridges when it’s raining – the surfaces can be very slippery.” Chris thinks that the resurfaced paths and better bridges will benefit less experienced cyclists, non mountain bikers and people that have mobility issues.

Peter Lee lives in Belgrave, next to the canal. He rides to work in the city centre through Abbey Park, but often rides through Watermead for a “…nice ride in the afternoon”. Peter doesn’t find any major barriers in getting around in the park, but thinks the Connect2 project would be great because it extends existing cycling routes. “The scheme would encourage me to take my family cycling through the park and beyond.”

Fiona Walker lives in Scraptoft, and occasionally cycles through the Park to get to work in Birstall. Fiona finds the worst thing about cycling in the park is the “scary geese” (!). Fiona says, “I had a nightmare once going from Birstall to Syston for a meeting and had to cycle through a lot of overgrown paths. Anything that makes cycling routes easier to access is a good thing.  If the Watermead bid is successful and the improvements happen, it will encourage me to use the park more with my kids.”

Jane Stapleford lives in Syston, and cycles to work in Kirby Muxloe. Cycling through Watermead as it is now, takes her a bit longer so she only cycles through the park when not in a rush. Jane says that, “Watermead provides a spiritually uplifting end to a work day. The scenery and birdlife arebeautiful as is being able to closely watch the seasons changing and spectacular sunsets over the lakes. Seriously, Watermead isa jewel of a place to ride and if we can have better access for bikes and other park users, thenConnect2 gets my vote.”