DAD Simon Thompson has got on his bike in the best possible way by helping to organise an event to let families know about the town's cycle routes.

Mr Thompson, 51, was inspired to publicise the safe paths after his nine-year-old daughter Esme was frightened by traffic on roads around the town when they went cycling together.

He came up with the idea for the Cycle Devizes ride on June 18 as part of National Cycle Week. He said: "The idea for the event was mine, coming after I was cycling with my nine-year-old year daughter in Devizes.

"She was so frightened by traffic on the roads that she was reluctant to come with me again. I found out about the town’s cycle routes via Sustainable Devizes and having tried them, she’s much happier to go cycling with me.

"I thought publicising the routes would be a great way to get more children out on their bikes, with and without their families."

Cycle Devizes, which is part of Sustainable Devizes, is organising the event, which starts and finishes in Hillworth Park, between 11am and 3pm. Everyone will be given a map of the 3.5 mile cycle trail which follows some of the official paths and routes in Devizes.

As they ride cyclists can complete a competition to give them a chance to win a £35 voucher from sponsors PUSHactive in Snuff Street, Devizes.

All cyclists aged under 15 who complete the trail will receive a goody bag.

Keen cyclist John Saunders, who is chairman of Sustainable Devizes, said: "“There are now many cycle routes in Devizes which are safe to use for both older and younger cyclists. We’ve organised this event as a fun way to publicise the routes, to show that it’s possible to cycle safely with children in Devizes, and to encourage families to enjoy all the benefits of cycling."

Esme, who is a pupil at All Cannings primary, said: "Even though I'd passed my cycling proficiency test, going on main roads was still really scary. We use the bike paths now which is great, and Dad and I can now cycle together a lot more than we used to."

Mr Thompson, a freelance project manager who only started cycling again in the past couple of years, said: "When safe routes are available, cycling can be a fun, healthy way to not only get from A to B, but also to spend time with one's family.

"I really hope that through this event we can help publicise the dedicated cycle routes that exist in Devizes and in doing so encourage more families to get on their bikes and enjoy them."