Cycle enthusiasts unite
Such was the success of the University’s participation in the Cycle September challenge that the Sustainability team is now looking for colleagues to form a staff cycling group.
A fantastic uptake saw staff members pedalling the equivalent distance of a return flight from London to Sydney (20,000 miles) for Cycle September 2018.
In a nationwide initiative hosted by Love to Ride and City Connect, 161 staff members logged their rides during the month as part of an online competition between local and national organisations.
The University finished second in its category for the second year running. Although Leeds beat last year’s winners, West Yorkshire Police, Calderdale Council had a late surge and pipped the University to top spot by just 0.5%.
A fantastic 32 departments, schools or faculties were represented, with top University riders being Ben Rickaby and Victoria Smith, who logged a total of 984 and 714 miles respectively.
The initiative was promoted as part of the University’s vision to make sustainable travel the norm for staff and students, which was supported by the achievement of the Gold Bike Friendly Business award earlier this year. This is awarded by City Connect to businesses that support and encourage their staff to cycle to work by providing infrastructure such as secure parking, changing facilities, lockers and maintenance.
Love to Ride is supporting another initiative in December called Winter Wheelers, which will give staff members logging rides the opportunity to win prizes every day of the month as part of its advent calendar.
Likewise, Lucy Stuart, Sustainability Project Officer, is looking for any staff members who would like to form a staff cycling group to get in touch. It will provide a community of cyclists on campus, who will be available to discuss cycling-related issues and provide friendly group rides. Posted in: University news