CYCLISTS who believe that more should be done to enhance provision for pedallers in and around Evesham are urged to attend a public meeting at the town hall.

The meeting, next Thursday from 7.45pm, has been organised by keen cyclist Colin Tether, who earlier this year called for better facilities, cycle routes and a connection to the national Cycling Network to be created in Evesham.

Speaking in August, he said he believed local cyclists were a neglected group and wrote to Shaun Riley, Evesham’s Market Town Partnership manager, to request support in improving the situation.

Mr Tether said: “We hope to learn about what is being planned and we really want to hear from those people who do cycle and who want to cycle on how we can best provide for cyclists.

“We want to get more people on bikes, cycling to work, to school and for leisure use. We would like to see children using bikes much more and gaining the confidence to use them later in life. But it is very important that cycling is safe and it is an attractive form of transport.

“We have already had a lot of interest in the meeting and look forward to a good turnout on the night. All are very welcome.”

Evesham town councillor Gerry O'Donnell will chair the meeting and there will be speakers from Sustrans – who promote the National Cycle Routes – Worcester County Council, Wychavon District Council and Evesham Wheelers.

Coun O’Donnell, who is the current chairman of the Market Town Partnership, said: “We have been looking at promoting healthy lifestyles within the community and the meeting is to remind ourselves what facilities Evesham has and consider desired outcomes. I would hope to hear people’s views and then just take it from there.”

Anyone with ideas on how to improve cycling provision locally can e-mail colin.tether1@btinternet.com.