This September, a cyclist with a difference will be meeting visitors exploring the Forest of Dean to raise awareness of littering in the forest.

As part of the rural anti-litter campaign ‘Love Your Forest’, environmental charity Hubbub has unveiled an art installation representing the biking community, which makes use of the beautiful trails and cycling lanes available in the Forest of Dean.

The intriguing sculpture, by artist Michelle Reader, is made from old bike parts and discarded pieces of litter which can be commonly found in the forest.

It has been made possible with funding from local soft drinks manufacturer Lucozade Ribena Suntory and is hosted by the Forestry Commission at its Cannop Cycle Centre, managed by Pedalabikeaway.

From there, it will be greeting Forest of Dean visitors, with the aim to remind people to take their litter home and dispose of it responsibly. Each year 250 tonnes of rubbish are removed from the Forest of Dean area, costing the District Council alone £430k per year.

Trewin Restorick, CEO of Hubbub, says: “This sculpture is an innovative and fun way to engage with the visitors and remind them, whether they are biking or walking along the tracks and trails, to help keep this beautiful forest litter free.”

Love Your Forest aims to be a community-owned campaign, with multiple local groups running Love Your Forest events and activities.

If you’re a biker, a local bike-related business or a community group wishing to get involved in the #LoveYourForest campaign, contact: [email protected].

People wishing to volunteer for litter picks should contact: [email protected]

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