On one of the hottest days so far this year, we set up our stall in Jubilee Square as part of Maidstone Cyclefest 2023.
There were stalls from Kent County Council, promoting their Adult Cycle Training offering courses to give people the skills and confidence to cycle more often, Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum looking for support to “Get Maidstone Cycling”, San Fairy Ann cycling club who offer sociable cycle rides for people of all abilities, and a group from Kent County Council highlighting issues of modern slavery.
We were there to talk all things bikes on trains, safe and scenic cycle routes and cycle security at stations. As you might expect we arrived sustainably, walking two heavily laden cycles from our office at Maidstone West.
As in previous years we met a number of people unaware that standard bicycles can be carried on all Southeastern services except peak time trains into/out of London and that folding bikes are always welcome.
We let them know how to identify cycle carriages on trains, handing out many town centre maps that show safe routes to stations and highlighting seaside and countryside routes to enjoy away from busy motor traffic.
CycleFest wouldn’t be CycleFest without our ever popular Smoothie bike and many delicious fruit smoothies were pedaled up.
A huge thank you to the volunteers who joined us on the day, helping to promote combining bikes with trains to travel in a healthy and sustainable manner.
