25 March 2009

Bike pool scheme to help cut carbon footprint

Photo opportunity: 10.15am, Thursday, March 26th at The Bike Worx, Exchange Street, Dundee.

The University of Dundee will unveil the latest tools in its bid to reduce carbon emissions on Thursday when staff take delivery of state-of-the-art bicycles for a new bike pool.

Environment & Sustainability Officer Trudy Cunningham and Mark O’ Reilly from the University’s Bicycle Users Group will visit the Bike Worx in Exchange Street to collect two KTM city bikes for staff to use when making local journeys from the main campus.

They will also be able to reserve the bikes for recreational use and two folding bikes will be added to the pool in coming weeks to allow more members of staff to engage with the scheme. The bikes will be fitted with a mileometer to enable the University to keep track of how much carbon they are saving.

Trudy Cunnigham explained that, while the primary objective of the bike pool was to cut carbon emissions, there were many additional advantages. She said, “As well as helping staff to reduce their carbon footprint, the bikes are being made available to promote the health benefits of cycling.

“Convenience is another issue. When you take into consideration factors such as parking, many staff will find it quicker and easier to cycle from the main campus to the Botanic Gardens, Ninewells or elsewhere.”

Approximately five per cent of staff and three per cent of students currently commute by bike. All staff are currently issued with comprehensive information covering public transport and car sharing options and the bike pool will provide an additional alternative to driving.

All bikes come fitted with dynamo lights as standard and bicycle locks will be provided. Mark O’ Reilly has undertaken a Cycling Instructor’s course that qualifies him to provide on-road cycling training for staff who wish to improve their skills.

This initiative will work alongside a new Bike to Work scheme planned by the University. New racks have been installed across the University campus to allow cyclists to safely park and lock their bikes right outside the most-used buildings.

The scheme is funded by the Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership (TACTRAN)

For media enquiries contact:

Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee

Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277