A survey on cycling in the Sid Valley has found that most respondents want to see more bicycle lanes and off-road routes.

The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign has just published a report on the results of a questionnaire circulated in December last year.

It attracted 185 responses, mainly from the older generation, with 36 per cent from people aged over 65 and 35 per cent from those aged 55 to 64.

There were many suggestions on how to encourage more cycling in the area. By far the most popular was new off-road routes linking Sidmouth with Sidbury, the Otter Trail, the Bowd, Harpford Woods and Tipton St John. Only nine per cent of the respondents said they felt safe cycling in the area.

Other suggestions included the provision of more cycle stands, improvements to the Byes cycle route including an extension to the seafront, more one-way streets and more 20mph speed limits.

The survey found that most people cycled for fitness or leisure/enjoyment, although more than a third said they used their bike for shopping trips. Only 16 per cent said they cycled to work.

The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign has welcomed all the feedback, but noted that there was only one  respondent under 18. Organisers will now try to explore the views of younger cyclists, particularly those school age.

Comments from Sidmouth councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for highways management, are included in the survey report.

He said the county council has included the Sidford to Sidbury route in a funding bid to Active Travel England, and is expecting a decision by the end of March.

He added that the council’s cycling strategy includes the provision of more Park and Change/Ride schemes in which people leave their cars outside towns and switch to bikes or public transport.

Meanwhile, some of the measures proposed in the survey are already under way: “Cycle stands and 20mph in town are already in programme as part of phase 2 of the Traffic Management Plan. The first phase saw cyclists being allowed to continue using Old Fore Street, etc, where other vehicles are not permitted.”

The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign, a Vision Group for Sidmouth project, will continue working with local authorities and other organisations to promote cycling and sustainable transport. For more information, visit their website.