Bike week proves a huge success 

Swindon workers pedal down CO2 emissions

 

A cycling challenge has saved 48,302 car miles and an estimated 7,627 kilograms of CO2 emissions in Swindon.

 

The three-week Swindon Cycle Challenge was run by CTC Challenge For Change and Swindon Borough Council and saw 768 people from more than 50 organisations getting on their bikes between 7 and 27 June - 65 of whom hadn't cycled for a year.

 

The aim of the challenge was to encourage people to take to their bikes and discover the joys and benefits of cycling. Incentives, prizes and various cycling events helped encourage people to take part, with prizes donated by Mitchell Cycles, Empire Cinema and many more.

 

Arval, Scott Wilson Railways, WH Smith, Swindon Borough Council’s Leisure Services team, Legatio Technologies Ltd and a team from the council’s libraries department all went into a draw to win a corporate masseuse in their office for the day after encouraging the most people to take part in the challenge with Scott Wilson Railways winning the relaxing prize.

 

Every individual who logged a cycle trip for the challenge also went into a random draw for packs of cycling gear and a Kona Fire Mountain bike from Mitchell’s Cycles and every new starter received free Empire cinema tickets.

 

“The Swindon Cycle Challenge is a fun way to encourage more people to cycle more safely, and more often," commented Cllr Fionuala Foley, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Corporate Services.

 

"It’s been fantastic to see so many Swindon businesses and organisations supporting the challenge.”

 

“Cycling is a brilliant way to keep fit while you travel from A to B and I hope that many of the people who got back on their bikes to take part in the challenge will have been inspired to cycle more in the future," said Anna Cipullo, Cycling Development Officer and challenge co-ordinator.

 

“It’s very encouraging that so many people in Swindon have been inspired to cycle for the challenge. If more people start cycling, it will really reduce congestion and pollution for all of us.”

 

For more information and a detailed list of the results, visit the Swidnon Cycle Challenge website via the link below...