Published on 28th July 2017

Wheel from a bicycle

Volunteers at the Butterfly Garden and from the council have been busy painting donated bikes in preparation for their installation around the town.

Festival organisers for the Cheltenham Festival of Cycling featuring the OVO Energy Tour of Britain have been delighted by the response from residents and organisations but need a few more to reach the 100 target.

With more than 40 recycled and donated bikes given a zesty face lift so far, everyone will soon be able to spot them riding lampposts, adorning shop windows, and possibly appearing on the odd roundabout too.

Chris Evans from the Butterfly Garden said: “There is an expectation that at any moment some new and quirky challenge will turn up and the students were thrilled to be invited to be involved with this one. We are most grateful to all concerned for this opportunity. Keep these things coming; they make life so much more interesting.”

The Cheltenham Festival of Cycling website will show an interactive map with green bike locations for all to visit, more are being added every day as local businesses and the community get involved to have bikes.

Cllr Rowena Hay, cabinet member for finance said: “I was delighted to join in at the Butterfly Garden with this fun task. Residents and visitors won’t be able to miss the lime green bike trail spread throughout the town! The excitement and buzz associated with the tour begins with these vibrant visuals for residents and visitors to enjoy. I’d urge anyone who may have an old bike or its parts to contact us and donate it to join in with the Cheltenham Festival of Cycling bike trail.”

Donations can be made at the bike hub (behind the train station) at the Municipal Offices or visit cheltenhamcyclingfestival.org.uk to arrange a collection.

For press enquiries, contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes to editors:

  1. Tour of Britain - On Saturday 9 September, 120 elite cyclists will be racing through Cheltenham Town Centre, in a bid to finish first in the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain. Starting in Hemel Hempstead before touring much of The Cotswolds, Stage Seven of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain  finishing at Imperial Gardens in our historic town centre. More information can be found out cheltenhamcyclingfestival.org.uk or Facebook @cheltcyclefest or Twitter @cheltcyclefest
  2. The Butterfly Garden is an educational, therapeutic and recreational scheme, based initially on gardening, but now offering so much more. It is a project for people of all ages dealing with disablement of any kind. It caters for those looking to escape the world, those looking to re-enter it and some, who are still just looking. Its doors are open to anyone without obligation. The volunteers from the centre have agreed to assist us with painting the green bikes for the trail.