The dark days are over, it's officially spring and people across Exeter are getting back on their bikes.

Don't forget to forward this e-mail on to friends, family or colleagues that you think might want tomake the pledge to cycle more and get one other person to do the same.

Thanks and happy spring time cycling from the Cycle Exeter team!

Highlights:

Business is Better by Bike awards

Cycle-friendly cities are good for your health, have less traffic and are safer, more exciting places to be. That's why we're searching for workplaces that are helping employees to get on their bikes.

Together with the Chamber of Commerce, Cycle Exeter has launched the Business is Better by Bike Awards. The awards are open to organisations of all shapes and sizes and the Bronze, Silver and Gold categories mean everyone has the chance to win.

If you'd like to make your workplace more cycle friendly, we can provides lots of support such as free cycle training, advice and support. To get started, visit ourworkplace toolkit.

So get your entries in before 28 April and look out for our announcement of our award winners in May! To enter the 2010 Awards visit theCycle Exeter website.

Tour Series back in Exeter

Date for your diary! On Thursday 3 June, during the school half term holidays, the Cycle Exeter team are thrilled to announce the return of this high adrenaline city centre cycle race.

See the thrills and spills up close and watch our London 2012 Olympic hopefuls in action during the evening race. You can also take part in a range of free activities and races which are happening throughout the day. Last year an estimated 12,000 people came out to watch this must-see event!

The 2010 Exeter Tour Series is also a fantastic chance for local businesses to get involved in an exciting event that will potentially bring big economic benefits. ContactCycle Exeter for a sponsorship pack or more information.

Cycle Fun Day in Exeter - Easter Monday, 5th April

Cycle Devon is a new project to encourage people to cycle for leisure and fun in Devon. The project will focus on five leisure cycling "hub" towns - including Exeter - and to kick start this work, launch events are being held in each town.

Why not bring your family to join us at the Piazza Terricina, opposite the Quay in Exeter on Monday 5th April, for the Exeter Cycle Fun Day?

Get your bike Spring-ready with 50% off Bike Maintenance courses!

Keeping your bike clean and well maintained not only makes cycling much easier but can also help avoid costly repairs at a later date.

To help people learn more about how to maintain their own bikes Cycle Exeter are offering a 50% OFF bicycle maintenance courses in the city. Two types of workshop will be run by The Chain Gang Bike Services on behalf of Cycle Exeter, so book your place quickly!

All-Day Workshop - designed for cyclists who want to develop their bike maintenance skills, this course covers the basics as well as brakes, gears and wheels. Next courses:

• Sunday April 18th, 10.00 - 16.00
• Sunday May 16th, 10.00 - 16.00
• Sunday June 27th, 10.00 - 16.00

Lunchtime Workshops - designed as an introduction to the basic elements of bike maintenance, this course deals with common problems that can be easily fixed. Book a session to be delivered at your workplace!

For booking information, pleasego to the website.

Bike Club comes to Exeter

Bike Club is a new national project that helps groups of children and young people to benefit from learning opportunities though cycling. Learn more about how Bike Club can help you develop cycling projects for 10 to 20 year olds atwww.bikeclub.org.uk or contact Lizzie Evered onlizzie.evered@bikeclub.org.uk / 07825 983 465.

Exeter Consultation

The next 10 - 15 years will be a time of rapid growth for Exeter itself and the area to the east of the city, and we need to ensure that there is a modern, effective transport system in place to support this growth. This, of course, includes cycling!

Devon County Council is running a consultation to ask for views on the future of transport in Exeter. The consultation isopen online until Friday 9th April - please let us know what you think of our proposals.

We'll send you an e-newsletter every other month to tell you what Cycle Exeter is doing - whether we're launching new cycle paths or inspiring you with real life stories of people who love cycling. We're here to help you enjoy the freedom of your city.