51 new community bike stands have been fitted across the Cotswolds.

As part of the project, a collaboration between Cotswold District Council and Life Cycle, stands have been set up not only in larger towns such as Lechlade and South Cerney but also in and around the Cotswold Water Park area.

The new installations come after the successful trial of 20 bike stands in 2022, with the intention of promoting cycling to community amenities like GP surgeries, shops, and village halls.

<hr>

Read more: Hairy Biker Dave Myers dies aged 66, Si King confirms

<hr>

The stands are all part of the Take a Stand scheme, aimed at promoting a more bike-friendly Cotswold, appealing to residents and visitors alike.

The scheme offers benefits to community businesses and the public by providing secure storage for bicycles, thus encouraging cycling as an easy and sustainable form of transport.

It also aims to eliminate financial barriers for smaller organisations.

Cllr Juliet Layton, cabinet member for planning and regulatory services at the council, said: "This is a really great project to be involved in, and I'm pleased that the council have been able to put this money into something that will make a difference to a lot of people."

"Knowing that there is somewhere you can leave your bike when travelling will hopefully make it easier for people to use their bicycles.

"Cycling is great for health, helps us reduce our impact on the environment and often means we can avoid having to find a parking space.”

Life Cycle's Take a Stand coordinator, Bernadette Thomson, said: "We have a really positive and proactive working relationship with Cotswold District Council, who are clearly committed to increasing the security for cyclists and, therefore, encouraging more cycling in the region, which fits with their sustainable transport plans."

Locations such as Fairford Town FC have been stands installed.

Jody Bevan, director of football at the club, said: "Everybody at Fairford Town FC was delighted to get on board with the scheme.

"We regularly get cyclists coming to the football club, so the opportunity to provide them with a facility to secure their bikes was a huge attraction to us."