9 March 2012

'Cycle Fest' for students and staff

A series of events challenging students and staff to get on their bike and consider more environmentally friendly travel choices will be held at the University of Dundee next week.

'Cycle Fest' takes place between 12-3pm at Campus Green, immediately to the rear of the Student Union building. It will promote the health and ecological benefits of cycling, and encourage members of the University community to travel by bike rather than car on their daily commute.

A bicycle mechanic will be on hand to inspect damaged bikes and carry out repairs for free, while a shop selling second-hand bikes will be open from 12-2pm. Students will be challenged to make their own smoothie using cycle power, and a bike ride to the nearby Botanic Garden for a picnic will take place at 12.10pm.

Recognising that bikes may be adequate for short, day-to-day travel but not for all purposes, a new Car Club will also be launched. This offers staff and students who wish to do without a car for everyday use access to one on the odd occasion when they require it.

"The message that we're trying to get across is that owning a car and driving it to work or class every day needn't be the default position," said Trudy Cunningham, Environment & Sustainability officer at the University.

"Biking every day has huge advantages for health and sustainability, and also for your wallet. With the savings that people can make, it's possible to borrow a car through our Car Club when they do require access to a motor.

"The whole point of Cycle Fest is to get people thinking about their own transport choices, and show them that you can have fun by choosing a bike over a car."

The Cycle Fest day is just one of a number of initiatives geared towards helping staff and students to cut their carbon footprint. More information is available by visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/estates/energy&environment/travelinformation or emailing Trudy on t.z.cunningham@dundee.ac.uk.

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