Travel by bike to Riverside Ice and Leisure this Easter and get a free bike check and cycling freebies.

Chelmsford City Council has joined CTC, the national cycling charity, to encourage people to travel to Riverside Ice & Leisure by bike this summer.

Cycling information, cycle maps and fun goodies will be available for those turning up by bike on March 31 and April 7.

Cycles UK will be delivering the free bike checks on these two Tuesdays over the Easter holidays from 11am-3pm.

Chelmsford City Council’s Community Sport and Wellbeing Manager, Antony Bensley said, “Cycling is a superb activity which has an array of benefits to residents and our city.

"Cycling is a great way to keep fit and healthy and it’s a social activity which the whole family can enjoy.

"As a sustainable form of transport it’s good for the environment and could also help alleviate traffic at busy areas of the city.

"The Council is building on the excitement and inspiration that the Tour De France brought to the city and I’m very pleased to be part of an exciting programme of cycling events and initiatives in the future.”

Richard Monk, of CTC, said: "We're delighted that Riverside Ice and Leisure is supporting even more people to get cycling this summer and I'm pleased that Cycles UK will be providing all of their experience to help get families' bikes in trim condition for the summer.

"We want to help lots more people discover the pleasure of cycling and the great cycle routes around our city."

There are a host of other cycling events and initiatives in Chelmsford over Easter with family cycle rides, women only and refresher sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Cake at the Lake in Central Park.

Visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/cycling for more details.

Learn to ride sessions available on the Tuesday and Saturday are designed to give you the confidence to try cycling, whether you’ve not ridden a bike for years or have never ridden a bike.

To pre-book for the cycle beginner session and to hire a bike for the sessions please email womentime@chelmsford.gov.uk or call 01245 606206, but please be aware places are limited and demand is high.

For more information about other woMEn Time events and activities please visit www.womentime.co.uk.