Bikes
A startling statistic is that 50% of all car journeys in the UK are of less than 2 miles, a distance that can be walked in 40 minutes and cycled in less than 10 minutes by any reasonably able-bodied person. Figures from 2020 show that cycling represented only 1.8% of all traffic in Great Britain with cars and taxis making up 73.4%. The UK lags well behind many European countries in terms of the proportion of journeys cycled being in 22nd place out of 27 countries: examples include the Netherlands with 27%.
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Though in the UK there is very little proper provision for cycling in the form of routes that are separated from motorised traffic, roads out of Wedmore leading to nearby conurbations such as Cheddar, Wells and Glastonbury, are relatively safe without too great a density of traffic. It is also easy to select routes along minor roads which, though narrow, have less traffic. The benefits of cycling mental and physical wellbeing are promoted, there are no carbon emissions, it is cheap, you don’t have to worry about parking.
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The Strawberry Line
Since the 1980s, the route has been in the process of being transformed, step by step, into a beautiful greenway through North and Mid-Somerset. Here’s a link: https://www.thestrawberryline.org.uk
Electric Bikes
The recent development of electric bikes has encouraged reluctant cyclists and non-cyclists to take to two wheels. Though you must pedal, the electric motor can make progress easy even up hills. They are still quite expensive but their popularity means that good second-hand bikes are becoming available. Journeys well in excess of 20 miles can be contemplated.
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Local bike repairers and retailers
Stuntman Mechanix Scott Hamlin – based in Cheddar but will collect your bike from you https://www.stuntmanmechanix.com
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Moor Cycles George McGinty – based in Yatton (as above) http://www.moorcycles.co.uk
Mint Cycle Works Priddy https://mint-cycle-works.business.site
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Grand Tor Cycling in Shepton Mallet https://grandtorcycling.co.uk
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Halfords and Bike City in Wells
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Bicycle Chain and SJS Cycles in Bridgwater