News - Bring Your Bike to College Day
Cornwall College press release
Cornwall College is to hold a special day, at its Camborne campus, to encourage more staff and students to cycle to work to reduce traffic congestion on local roads and cut pollution.
The Bring Your Bike to College Day takes place on Tuesday 21 April at the College's Camborne campus and will include the launch of new facilities for cyclists to the site, include new racks, bike bins and lockers funded by the Highways Agency.
There will be free breakfast for cyclists and free bike safety checks. Cycling charity Sustrans and Cornwall Council will also visit to support and promote cycling to and from the College. Local bike shops will display the latest models on the site.
The Bike Day is part of the College's sustainable travel plan, developed with the Highways Agency, which includes car sharing, improved public transport information and walking. A well supported Bike User Group has been formed with 30 people applying for discounted bikes under the Bike to Work Scheme.
Mike Ginger, Highways Agency travel plan organiser, said: "The Highways Agency is encouraging businesses to look at how they can contribute to easing congestion and parking problems, reduce costs and improve the environment.
"Substantial growth is planned for the Camborne/Pool/Redruth area which will increase traffic pressure and the Tolvaddon Junction on A30. Sustainable travel options are being promoted at the college and at development sites in order to help manage this growth. A travel survey in 2006 showed that approximately 80% of staff drive on their own to the College. The aim is to reduce this substantially by 2011. "
Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College said: "We are lucky enough to live and work in an area of great beauty and it's our responsibility to do what we can to preserve it. As the largest provider of learning opportunities in Cornwall it's extremely important that we lead by example.
"Encouraging staff and students to use more environmentally friendly methods of travel to and from College is a key step in our ongoing work to protect the environment and fulfil our commitment to sustainable development."
Steve Burgess, Cornwall College Director of Human Resources and Systems, and John-Paul Eatock, Head of Learning and Development regularly cycle the 25 mile round trip from home to the College.
Steve said "It is great fun to cycle in to work with John-Paul, we have good banter and a chat on the way, the scenery is fantastic and you feel invigorated when you get to work. There are quite a few of us who cycle in from various places and have all benefited from the scheme."
John-Paul added "An activity like cycling can be really beneficial for personal physical fitness. It can contribute significantly to improving a person's health and well being.
"Cycling has been brilliant in helping my training, but I also am pleased with the fact that, when I leave my car at home, I reduce my own personal carbon footprint and being environmentally positive is good for me".
Steve and John-Paul said that planning was important to make sure your bike was in good condition, people should travel with plenty of fluid on board and they are sensible in terms of routes.
Government policy is to encourage sustainable travel to reduce the negative social, economic and environmental impacts associated with over-reliance on the car. With 37% of car miles driven in relation to commuting and business travel businesses have an important role to play in supporting the sustainability agenda.
The National Business Travel Network (NBTN) - a Department for Transport initiative - is a business to business network that enables companies to share best practice and promote the idea of workplace travel plans.