To mark World Car Free Day on Friday, Waverley Borough Council is launching two new initiatives across the borough.

The first, Get (back) on your bike, offers free adult cycle training courses provided by Surrey County Council and led by experienced, qualified instructors.

They will include classes from learning to ride, to improving confidence when riding on roads and riding with their families (with secondary age children).

Courses are being added throughout the year, so visit www.surreycycletraining.online for more information or to register your interest with Surrey County Council.

The second initiative will soon allow towns and parishes in the borough to borrow innovative temporary cycle parking for community locations.  

The PlantLock cycle stands, which are easy to transport and assemble when empty but immovable when full, have space for two bicycles providing a secure solution for short stay cycle parking outside shops, cafes and pubs. 

They also support a small bed of flowers and shrubs, ‘greening up’ local streets and helping to improve air quality.

Farnham Town Council will be borrowing and deploying a number of the new cycle stand planters as part of its Farnham in Bloom project.

Councillor Steve Williams, Waverley's portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: "World Car Free Day is all about encouraging people to leave their cars at home although, of course, it’s not just about one day, it’s about making small changes every day to help protect our planet. 

“As a council working towards becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, one of our goals is to encourage active travel and we hope that the free cycling courses will encourage those who feel they need some extra support, to get back out on their bike. Not only does cycling save money, which is even more important in these difficult times, but it also helps reduce air pollution too. 

“Similarly, we hope that our towns and parishes will take up the offer of trialling the PlantLock stands which offer a more attractive and convenient alternative to traditional stands and will be a great help in deciding on the best locations for more permanent fixtures. 

“In fact, we are happy to announce that we already have interest from Farnham Town Council, who will be borrowing and deploying a number of the new cycle stand planters as part of their support for the Farnham in Bloom Community Group."

Waverley Borough Council has implemented a number of other projects in the borough as part of its active travel agenda, working with partners to reduce travel emissions.

These include the provision of new bike shelters in a number of Waverley car parks across the borough as part of a pilot scheme, working with Surrey County Council, town and parish councils and local groups to finalise Local Cycle and Walking Infrastructure Plans in Waverley and supporting the proposed Guildford-Godalming Greenway route.

For more information on the council’s Climate Strategy and Action Plan, including more information on  Active Travel and the proposed Guildford-Godalming Cycle route, visit the Waverley Borough Council - Climate change strategy and action plan webpage.