Information on Loughborough

Get on yer bike! scheme launched at Loughborough

Posted on 10/09/2007
P. Klein

locked bikesStaff at Loughborough University are being encouraged to use pedal power to get to work, under a new scheme.

The scheme is part of the Governments national Cycle2Work initiative, which aims to encourage people to bike to work on a more regular basis.

Under the scheme staff lease a bike from the Universitys on-campus cycle chop, Cogz, for a period of 18 months. At the end of that period they have the option to buy it for a small fee, saving them up to 45% on the recommended retail price.

Any accessories that help the cyclist and bike to remain safe and secure, such as locks, lights and helmets, are also included in the plan.

The University hopes the initiative will bring a number of benefits, not only to the staff involved but to the local community as well.

"The health and fitness benefits of cycling are well known. Its also the quickest mode of transport in an urban area over a five mile distance and cheaper than running a car, says Roy Hill, director of the Universitys Estates Service, which has been instrumental in the introduction of the scheme.

"In addition to all that, cyclings better for the environment. More people biking to work means fewer cars on the roads, which will have a beneficial effect on air quality and help to ease traffic congestion.

The initiative will be open to staff throughout September.