Twenty years ago this month, a group of like-minded cyclists got together in a pub to discuss the perils and pitfalls of biking around Colchester.

Now, the Colchester Cycling Campaign can look back on two decades of achievement.

Founding member Will Bramhill set up the group alongside friend Hugh Ward to ensure that his children could enjoy cycling as much as he had in his youth.

“I had just become a dad for the first time to Jack,” he explained.

“I wanted him to be able to cycle in safety and have as much fun as I did when I was a kid.”

He added: “We also wanted people to be able to ride bikes rather than hop in the car for trips of two miles or less.

“Other concerns were that cyclists were being pushed off the road by the increasing number of cars, and the cocktail of pollutants being created.”

With the support of the group’s 60 members, Will and Hugh set about making changes to the landscape of Colchester.

In the two decades that have followed, the campaign has helped establish the 2.5 mile Wivenhoe Trail, as well as cycle routes beside the Avenue of Remembrance, Ipswich Road and Lexden Road, amongst others.

Members were also instrumental in the Essex local transport plan of 2001, where they convinced officials that money should be set aside for cycling in the county.

And they celebrated in 2008 when Colchester officially became a Cycling Town, given a £4.2 million cashpot of Government money to set up new routes and provide training for adults and children.

But Will said there is always more that can be done.

He said Britain should try and follow the example set by Holland, which is famous for its bike-friendly infrastructure.

At the end of the Second World War, he explained, the two countries had similar levels of provision for cyclists.

But when there were oil scares in 1972, the nations went their separate ways.

The UK continuing to follow the American model of out-of-town stores – leading to higher car usage - while Holland encouraged its residents to cycle more.

Will, who lives in Mile End Road, said: “Unfortunately we don't have the room in this country now to copy the Dutch and have separate paths everywhere.

“We would have to get rid of road-side parking to do that.

“But we are hopeful of getting high-quality facilities alongside other fast or busy roads where people are afraid to cycle.”

He added: “It's interesting to note that most of Europe has higher car ownership but far less car mileage than us.

“It’s because they use their bikes and public transport for the appropriate journeys.”

But Will is hopeful that progress will come to the UK and Colchester during the campaign’s next two decades.

“Changes are happening at long last,” said Will.

“Over the last two years, more has happened than in the last 20.”

The Colchester Cycling Campaign meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Bricklayers Arms, Bergholt Road at 8pm.

For more information, visit colchester-cycling.org.uk