PEOPLE across the region are being given extra motivation to keep pedalling throughout December by taking part in Winter Wheelers – a fun, friendly advent calendar cycle challenge run through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Aimed at getting people on their bikes, the £60m CityConnect programme is targeting people and encouraging them to walk and cycle more.

The Combined Authority has joined forces with Winter Wheelers organiser Love to Ride for the UK-wide event aimed at helping people celebrate and enjoy winter cycling with an advent calendar for grown-ups.

On the Winter Wheelers website participants can log miles, set goals and earn badges for cycling to work for a week, riding 100 miles or encouraging a friend or colleague to take part.

Councillor Kim Groves, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We know encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves money. It also brings wider environmental and economic benefits.

“We want as many people as possible to get involved in Winter Wheelers – whether you cycle every day or whether you haven’t been on a bike in years, if you’re cycling for transport or for fun, whatever time and wherever you’re going, our online cycle challenges help provide that extra bit of motivation, especially at this time of year.”

Love to Ride can be easily connected to many popular cycling apps such as Strava and Ride Report, which will then automatically record rides on Love to Ride and enter riders into daily prize draws for winter riding gear.

Register for Winter Wheelers at www.lovetoride.net/cityconnect