Torbay and Paignton cycle link hope

Less than 2% of Torbay people use bikes to get to work, a report said

Cyclists are pressing councillors for a track linking south Devon seaside towns Paignton and Torquay.

Torbay's Transport Working Party is considering <link> <caption>a report</caption> <url href="http://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/documents/s8081/Hollicombe%20to%20Paignton%20Cycle%20Route.pdf" platform="highweb"/> </link> which offers four options to help cyclists get off the road on the four-mile route.

If approved, the route could be built by 2013.

<link> <caption>Another report by the council </caption> <url href="http://www.torbay.gov.uk/lstfbid.pdf" platform="highweb"/> </link> suggested that 55% of journeys to work in Torbay are less than three miles, but less than 2% are by bike.

Bike shop owner Simon Pedrick said: "A cycle link would be massively welcomed by visitors and local people and I am sure we would see more people cycling which would fit with the sustainable transport strategy."

The council also wants to see a ferry linking the two resorts as part of a plan to reduce traffic congestion, which is expected to rise by more than 16% by 2031.