More Employees Turn To Pedal Power

Councillor Peter Convery (right) opened the new cycling facilities with Steven Swan (left) an employee at Newton House

Many South Ayrshire Council employees are choosing to use pedal power to get to and from work, with some even using their bikes for business journeys. Keen to support employees the Council has started to install bike lockers at some Council buildings.

South Ayrshire Council recently launched a Sustainable Travel Campaign, ‘up&go choose your move’ to encourage employees to think about leaving their cars at home and consider using an alternative form of transport.

In 2006 a Council employee travel survey revealed that 18% of employees who do not travel to work by car choose to cycle. The survey highlighted that more employees would cycle to and from work if they had somewhere safe and secure to leave their bike.

As part of the Council’s Sustainable Travel Campaign two bike lockers have been placed in the courtyard of the County Buildings in Ayr and two at the Council’s premises at Newton House in Ayr. Metal bike loops are also being installed for employees or visitors to secure their bikes to. Funding for the bike lockers and loops was provided by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

Councillor Peter Convery, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Sustainability and the Environment officially declared the bike lockers open for use at Newton House in Ayr, he said: “People have different reasons for cycling, some do it to save money, some to keep fit, others to relax, some to help protect the environment by reducing their carbon footprint.

“As a Council we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions and to protecting our environment and that is why we are encouraging employees to think about cycling, walking or using public transport instead of always travelling by car. I know that some people need to bring their car to work, for personnel or professional reasons but at the weekends they may have the time to leave their car at home and turn to pedal power.”

A ‘Cycle to Work’ roadshow took place in the County Buildings the same day to try and encourage more employees to cycle and become involved in the Council’s Cycle to Work scheme. Plans are currently being worked on to expand cycling facilities at Council workplaces across South Ayrshire.

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