UK workers are being encouraged to dust down their bikes and contribute to a green transport revolution following evidence that over 50 per cent of them are lying unused by their owners most of the time.
Survey data released today by
EDF Energy revealed that though 55 per cent of Brits are bike owners, almost 58 per cent of them leave their
bikes unused for more than two weeks at a time.
The survey was conducted to coincide with EDF’s
Team Green Britain Bike Week (June 18-26), part of a major sustainability drive by the energy supplier, which is also a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics. Team Green Britain Bike Week aims to encourage people to consider biking in order to reduce their carbon footprints.
"For short journeys cycling can be a practical, low carbon way to get around," Gareth Wynn, director of EDF’s London 2012 programme said. "So we’re hoping Team Green Britain Bike Week can encourage people onto their bikes, especially those who haven’t cycled in some time."
Free bike repairs
According to a release from EDF Energy, Team Green Britain Bike Week will help cyclists get rolling again during its June event, with a number of the events being held offering bike repairs. Most of the events, which Team Green Britain is collectively calling, 'Britain’s Biggest Bike Fix,’ will be free of charge, according to a spokesperson with EDF Energy.
Survey findings
In addition to lower carbon emissions, more cycling benefits were revealed in the survey, which showed that 80 per cent of respondents thought getting around by bike was good exercise and 52 per cent saw it as a cheap method of
transportation. The survey also found that women are considerably less likely to bike than men.
Information about Team Green Britain Bike Week events, which will be held across the country, can be found on the organisation’s website. The events offer a range of opportunities, from short community rides to repairs.
"Cycling isn’t just a sporting activity – it can be a safe, convenient way of getting around," Olympic gold medal winning cyclist and Team Green Britain Ambassador Ed Clancy said. "It’s cheap, great for your health and fitness and good for the environment."
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