THE Ryedale Environmental Group (REG) is a recently-formed group encouraging projects that reduce our environmental impacts across the district by promoting recycling, re-use and the reduction of waste.

So far town and village-based groups have been set up in Malton and Norton, Pickering and Kirby Misperton.

A monthly meeting allows us to share successful initiatives and come up with new ideas with these new groups, but with well-established groups in Kirkbymoorside and Hovingham.

Each month this column will feature a group or project to showcase our activities.

This month’s Ryedale Environmental Group column comes from keen cyclist and member of the Kirkbymoorside Environment Group, Helen Gundry.

The Ryedale Cycle Forum is, of course, very keen on cycling, but we believe that car-free paths through pleasant places should be available for everyone.

Are you usually a walker, cyclist, wheelchair user, horse-rider, pram-pusher, dog walker?

Before this current Covid-19 situation, did you feel restricted by busy roads in your neighbourhood?

Do you have an idea for a new multi-user path, to get away from the cars, but don’t know how to make it happen?

While we are all stuck at home, now is a good time to do some planning for the future.

If you have created a new path we would like to hear from you and tell others who want to do the same. It’s not difficult, but it does take considerable time, energy and team-work.

If you want to talk through the options for a new cycle route or footpath, and find a team to help make a start, do get in touch.

Or if you would like to make a route suggestion, but want others to take it on and make it happen then contact us too at ryedaletownandcountrytrails@outlook.com, or phone Helen Gundry on 07960 160130.

We have some useful information about cycling on our website, and we keep adding more. Subscribe for free to keep in touch at getryedalecycling.com.

Anyone with an interest in cycling, or in multi-user car-free routes, is welcome at Ryedale Cycle Forum meetings.

The next meeting is planned for Tuesday, June 2, from 10.30am to noon, at Ryedale House in Malton.

We may have to postpone this meeting due to the current Covid-19 situation, or perhaps hold it online, but do get in touch now if you are interested.