Hope Valley students cycle ‘bike-bus’ convoy highlighting dangerous road
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Students from villages surrounding the Hope school cycled the route with a sign towed by the rear-most bicycle which read: ‘Bike Bus Students Cycling Please Be Patient’.
The A6187 is a major route from Sheffield used by Hope Valley children from Grindleford, Hathersage and Bamford to get to school.
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Hide AdHowever most students avoid cycling along it while motorists are whizzing past them in both directions.
A June 2020 survey of pupils across the Hope Valley showed the majority would like to cycle regularly but chose not to because of safety concerns.
Although there is a stretch of cycle lane between Hathersage and Hope, bikers are forced to use the road where it ends.
Pupils have been campaigning for a safe walking and cycling route to the school since 2008 but a long-promised segregated route along the A6187 has not been completed.
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Hide AdHope Valley Climate Action say a safe cycling route is even more urgent in the Covid-era.
However young people are still forced to travel on overcrowded buses - undermining efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19.
On Tuesday 30 students and adults cycled the route from Grindleford as part of the bike-bus - stopping off at Hathersage and Bamford on their way to Hope Valley College.
Sarah Roberts, of Hope Valley Climate Action’s cycling and walking group, said Tuesday’s ride was a launch however it was hoped the event would be repeated - at least on weekly or monthly basis.
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Hide AdShe said: “We’d like this to be a regular way for children to get to school - but the point we’re making is a cycle route half the way is not all the way.
“This is a major link road for all the villages in the Hope Valley - and for cyclists coming from Sheffield.”
Hope Valley Climate Action say while the Government is providing £2 billion to boost cycling and walking and has called for planned schemes to be brought forward nothing has so far been provided in Hope Valley.