BARNSLEY-BORN cyclist Ed Clancy OBE has been named South Yorkshire’s new active travel commissioner.

Ed, from Ingbirchworth, is a triple Olympic-winning champion and the most successful team pursuit rider in history.

He’s been appointed by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard to work with him to make South Yorkshire a safer and easier place to walk and cycle.

Ambitious plans are underway to build more than 620 miles of accessible walking and cycling routes linking South Yorkshire’s towns and cities.

Ed said: “I’m honoured to be South Yorkshire’s new active travel commissioner and I can’t wait to get stuck into the new role.

“I want to use my platform to break down those barriers that stop people walking or biking to get where they need to go.

“Too many of us are driving cars, that’s clogging up our roads and making them more dangerous.

“South Yorkshire has some of the deadliest roads in the country and this stops people choosing to walk or ride the short distances they currently drive, which just adds to the pollution and the danger.

“If you’re scared to cross the road, you’ll use the car instead.

“I’m committed to using my platform to get more people of all ages to walk, cycle, scoot or skate around South Yorkshire and this means giving people a real, safe choice when it comes to their journeys.”