Whiz Away on a Electric Bike During Bike Week

"The idea of the pool bike scheme is to remind and encourage people working in the area that there are alternatives to using the car - especially for short journeys in the local vicinity" said Gary Armstrong coordinator for Travel Plan Plus EU funded project that is establishing a workplace travel network in the Science Park area of Cambridge. "The available electric bikes on the scheme are quite nippy, fun to ride with the added advantage that you won't arrive at your destination in need of a shower or change of clothes"

The scheme will be officially launched on Tuesday 22 June outside the TP+ Commuter Centre at the Cambridge Science Park Innovation Centre (unit 23) on the Science Park.  On the day from 10am through to 4.30pm people will be able to sign out the bikes for a 15 minute test drive around the Science Park.

Gary added "From 23 June onwards commuters living within a realistic cycling distance may also be able to borrow an electric bike overnight to try out their journey with minimal effort."

The purchase of the Electric Pool bikes was funded by the Cambridgeshire County Council Road Safety Team. Phil Rennie, Road Safety Officer, said "We are always looking for innovative ways to promote lifesaving road safety messages and these bikes are an ideal way for people to undertake more cycling, and for drivers to become aware of what cyclists have to contend with when sharing the roads with motor vehicles.  Remember, no matter how you get there, get there safely! " 

The launch of the Electric Pool Bike scheme is just one of a number of initiatives being run by TP+ during Bike Week  (19 to 27 June). Other events include FREE bike maintenance taster sessions open to both clueless new cyclists and avid commuter cyclists where they will be able to learn how to fix a puncture, adjust breaks and gears and assess the roadworthiness of their bike. These taster sessions are being run on 22, 23 and 24 June.

On Friday 25 June a lunchtime social ride has been organised which will involve a ride through Milton Country Park and along the banks of the River Cam to The Bridge Public House at Waterbeach.

The Pool Bike Scheme and other listed Bike Week events are open to all commuters working in the Travel Plan Plus area, namely Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Business Park, St John's Innovation Park , Cambridge Regional College and Taylor Vinters Solicitors. Commuters wishing to take part should contact the TP+ Commuter Centre located in the Cambridge Science Park Innovation Centre on 01223 437053 or email gary.armstrong@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Contact Gary Armstrong of Travel Plan Plus on 01223 437053.

TRAVEL PLAN PLUS

For more information on the TP+ project visit the Travel for Work Partnership web site:  http://www.tfw.org.uk/tpplus.php  or speak to Gary on 01223 437053, email: gary.armstrong@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

This project is being managed by the Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership (TfW) on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.

It is being funded by the European Commission's Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation under its "Intelligent Energy - Europe" Programme.

Other contributing funders are the Cambridgeshire County Council, EEDA, The Highways Agency and Cambridgeshire Horizons.

The project is establishing a large travel for work network in the Science Park area of Cambridge. Other sites in the project are in Stockholm, Bages (Spain) and Gyor (Hungary). The lead partner is Loughborough University's Travel Studies Team.

Travel for Work

TfW is a not-for-profit partnership hosted by the County Council, one of its eleven partners. It is dedicated to working with employers to deliver and promote sustainable and healthy travel by employees. TfW provides free advice on increasing the range of travel options available to employees for commuting and travelling on business, and provides travel solutions and tools for Cambridgeshire employers and developers. The partnership helps employers prepare and implement effective travel initiatives that ease transport and access problems associated with existing sites and or new business developments. To find out more visit www.tfw.org.uk or contact Mark Webb on 01223 715696 or email info@tfw.org.uk.

TfW works with employers to promote all forms of sustainable travel both for getting to and from work and for travelling on business. More information can be found at www.tfw.org.uk