An initiative to promote walking and cycling for fitness and wellbeing during the lockdown has been launched in Ripon.
The community interest company Ripon Together is behind the Healthy Journeying scheme.
It encourages people to get their daily exercise on foot or bike while enjoying the city’s scenery.
A website which gives details about safe local walking and cycle routes has been set up to support the project.
The Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, is chair of Ripon Together. He said:
“In this further lockdown it is even more important to look after each other.
“Ripon Together is supporting people’s health and wellbeing through its website where they can find lots of local walks and cycle routes.
“We are also hoping – covid restrictions permitting – to hold the traditional pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey, which could not take place on Boxing Day, on 1 May”.
He said Ripon Together was set up to make Ripon an even better place to live and it was important to encourage people to move around the city and its surrounding area sustainably, adding:
“We want more people to cycle and walk, and we want better access to the city and its countryside for those with disabilities. We need local infrastructure to support this. We would love to hear from anyone with ideas on how that can be delivered.”
Ripon Together is also supporting the creation of local greenways and a walking and cycling strategy for the city, as envisaged in the City Plan approved in a referendum in February 2019.
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The proposed Clotherholme development would significantly increase traffic in the city. Healthy journeying – cycling and walking – would reduce congestion and pollution.
Ripon Together is also asking local people to help walking charity The Ramblers to identify paths that have been in public use but are not shown as footpaths or bridleways so that they can be protected under law.
If you know of any such paths, or want to volunteer to help the project, e-mail [email protected]
People who find public footpaths or bridleways obstructed or in poor condition can use the same e-mail address and Ripon Together will pass on the information to The Ramblers.
