Our man looking to become tourism superstar

After making it through to the final stage, Rob Brown of Dalby Forest Cycle Hub is just your vote away from being crowned VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2024!

Voting has now closed.

"I first became aware of the need for accessible cycling some years ago, whilst working with a primary school. There was one little boy who used a wheelchair and the teacher explained that he would stay in the classroom whilst the other children rode their bikes. I just felt so sad, and I promised I would find a bike so that he could join them. I did, and from that moment on, my life changed, and so did his" - Rob Brown.

Rob Brown is a man on a mission. A mission to break down many social and physical barriers using cycling as the focus.

He has devoted a huge amount of time, not just to teaching the skills to ride a bike, but also in developing more positive mindsets so that people, youngsters and adults alike, feel empowered to achieve more.

And he’s now being celebrated by being nominated for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar Award 2024…

Rob Brown and Simon smiling at each other on a bike

As the only Yorkshire-based nominee for the award, Rob is flying the flag for the county.

Hailing from Pickering, he was originally nominated for the award by the North York Moors National Park for the crucial role he has played in making cycling far more inclusive, which has enabled more people to enjoy beautiful surroundings such as Dalby Forest; and enriching the region’s reputation as a caring community.

In the six years that Rob has been a co-director at the Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, he has worked to develop a unique, inclusive cycling centre in the woodland surroundings. He has helped make the Cycle Hub a special destination that provides memorable cycling activities in a fantastic place including, unusually, the provision of bikes and training for all abilities, from the disabled to the fully able-bodied; the very young to the elderly and everybody in between.

“Rob is an inspiration. Through his involvement with our Tourism Accessibility project, we saw how passionate and dedicated he is to helping people get more out of their lives. His work at Dalby Forest Cycle Hub has helped the North York Moors become a blueprint for other destinations to follow when it comes to increasing their accessibility and inclusivity" - Catriona McLees, Head of Marketing and Communications at the North York Moors National Park.

All at the North York Moors National Park wish Rob all the best for the award and would encourage you to vote for him, and pass on the link to friends and family.

Thank you!

Voting closed on 24 March 2024. Winner to be announced soon!