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With spring just around the corner, we're seeing green shoots emerging and new leaves growing on trees. We're shaking off those winter blues and looking forward to making the most of the great outdoors. Taking rides, breathing in the fresh air and pausing to enjoy the view. Longer days are coming, and we'll soon have more time to ride our bikes.

There's plenty to see on our doorstep - from the Severn channel to the Somerset plains - and we've got plenty of suggestions if you need an on-road or off-road route.

See you out there on the trails...

Spring into action

Could you make 2011 the year you grabbed life by the handlebars?

• Help your company saddle up for Spring with our handy employers' toolkits
• Get your bike ready for Spring with a free Cycling City Dr Bike session at the Create Centre
• And if you're having a Spring clean, you can donate your spare bike bits to Bike Back, the city's bike recycling project (more about that in a minute...)

Brook Bridge launches

The new cycle bridge between Dovercourt Road and Petherbridge Way officially opened on Thursday, 3 March. To mark the occasion we're running an exclusive competition. Could it be you who pedals off with a £200 cycle voucher?!

Lawrence Weston cycle bridge delivered

The new cycle bridge to Lawrence Weston was delivered on 12th February. It's due to open in April, allowing cyclists to once again cycle over the M5 from Lawrence Weston to Avonmouth and on to Severn Beach - anyone for a trip to the seaside?!

Sustrans' Big Pedal gets local schools geared up

Thirty schools in the West of England have signed up for Sustrans three week bike challenge. 'Le Grand Depart' is on Monday, 7 March so keep your eyes peeled for more children biking to school.

Bright sparks for local groups

Cycling City has packs of 'backup lights' to donate to community groups and others who want to get more people cycling, more safely, more often. Send us your applications today!

Also taking place this month...

• You'll find the Cycling City roadshow team all over the city, including the Tobacco Factory Market on March 13th and 27th
• The latest Bike Back sale takes place on Wed, March 9th  opposite the Hippodrome
• Magnificent Revolution run their bike power workshop on Sat, 12th March
• And plenty more! Check out our events calendar for the rest...

New on the site this month

• We've been out with the camera again and have three more cycle movies for you to watch - a cycle lane along Phillips Causeway, the first half of Concorde Way, and how to get to Bristol-Bath Railway Path from Temple Meads
• We've listed all the pump tracks and BMX parks that we could find - great for practicing your off-road skills!
• We hear why 'cycling is like Marmite', a positive and a negative cycling experience from two first-timers
• Veronica tells us the correct way to wear a cycle helmet
• And we give you this year's pick of the most lung-bursting, leg-aching sportives in the south-west

Until next month...

Keep an eye out for 'pinch-point' improvements in the city centre, including St Nicholas Street, Bascule Bridge, Nelson Street, Corn St and several more besides.

Make sure to send this on to your friends as well. With those predicted fuel-price hikes, you'll be doing them a big favour!

Happy cycling

Can't see the images? Visit www.betterbybike.info/march-2011-newsletter