The project is based at the North Yorkshire Sport offices in Harrogate and Martyn forms part of the North Yorkshire Sport staff team.

North Yorkshire Sport and its partners are working with CTC because this project provides a unique opportunity to combine the objectives of a range of organisations.

North Yorkshire Sport's primary aim as an organisation is to increase participation in Sport and Physical Activity by one per cent per annum which cycling can contribute to, however this project will also impact upon the health of our community, the social interaction of hard to reach groups and active travel leading to a fitter, healthier, happier and hopefully less car reliant community in North Yorkshire.

David Watson, Executive Director said "CTC is an organisation with a phenomenal national reputation and North Yorkshire Sport are delighted to be able to join forces with them to develop and deliver this exciting project."

Martyn Bolt is the local Cycling Development Officer and he will work with 35 community groups over the four years of the project. The groups will come from disadvantaged communities typically under-represented amongst cyclists. Beneficiary groups include women’s groups, disability organisations, and members of minority ethnic communities.

Each group will receive support, advice and equipment to encourage beneficiaries to take up cycling. Our model will identify lead "champions" in each group who will receive training to become cycle instructors and mechanics and will carry on the programmes after a year’s input from our officer.

Groups will be supported by:

Providing access to bikes, (either new or recycled); training individuals under the National Standards for Cycle Training; training volunteers to become cycle instructors/mechanics; working with other community groups and organisations; providing access to a central hub of resources; providing supportive networks and providing an opportunity for social activities such as group cycle rides.

The focus will be on people with disabilities, older people, women and girls, those suffering from rural deprivation and isolation. They will be reached through 35 targeted community groups identified by North Yorks Sport and a range of their stakeholders such as, District Authorities, North Yorkshire County Council, The North Yorkshire and York PCT and local charities.

A particular emphasis is to be people with learning and physical disability and those suffering rural isolation. It is known that physical activity programmes and social networks can have an important impact on mental health in these groups.

A second emphasis will be women and girls who have far higher levels of inactivity than men.

Partners and supporters

North Yorkshire Sport website

Eight District Councils and eight 'Active' Community Sport Networks in North Yorkshire:

Harrogate, York, Craven, Hambleton, Scarborough, Richmond, Ryedale, Selby.

North Yorkshire County Council website

Yorkshire Dales National Park website

North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust website