a KSA business to business publication phone: 0191 488 1947 e-mail: [email protected] published September . 2007 EP President Pöttering receives a bike as ETRA contributes to greening the European Parliament free tyres promise moves to show the electric bicycle will contribute to making transport more sustainable In European Mobility Week what better way to enhance two wheel urban transport and tourism than get the European Parliament on your side. As Parliament itself becomes increasingly concerned with improving its carbon footprint in general and with making transport generated by Parliament more sustainable in left to right MEP Michael Cramer, ETRA Secretary General Annick Roetynck, EP particular, a move by the European Twowheel Retailers’s Association was always President Pöttering, ECF Secretary General and ETRA Vice-President Wim van Vliet. going to spark interest. The icing on the cake came when Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, the President of the European Parliament, was given the means to reduce his own carbon footprint - ETRA gave him a Velo-City bike. and a folding bike were on display in the Parliament and caught quite some atten- In reply Mr. Pöttering said “The European Parliament is very committed to the tion. Among the interested MEPs were Mr Gary Titley (UK), Mr Timothy Kirkhope environment, and initiatives such as the electric bicycle will contribute to making (UK) and Mr Philippe Busquin (B). transport more sustainable”. All this took place on the day after ETRA had participated in a bike ride through At the entrance of the European Parliament Mr Pöttering had received this state of Brussels, organised by the European Greens, with around sixteen Green party MEPs the art city-bike, one that has been developed specifically as an official bicycle for among the one hundred plus riders. The action was aimed at claiming political atten- public authorities, from ETRA Vice-President Wim van Vliet and Secretary General tion for lacking cycling infrastructure in Brussels and during the ride, the party met Annick Roetynck. Mr van Vliet promised the President that ETRA would replace his up with Brussels’ Regional Minister for Environment and Energy, Evelyne Uyttebroek. tyres for free if he managed to wear them out in one year’s time. MEP Michael ETRA and the European Cyclists’ Federation presented her with a Velo-City bike to Cramer also gave a surprise present: the topoguide on the German part of the Iron incite her to continue her efforts for cycling. Curtain Trail, published only recently. Mr Cramer is the driving force behind this long- ETRA’s action to make the electric bike better known in the European Parliament distance cycling path, which will eventually link the Barents Sea with the Black Sea. has already yielded one tangible result. The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Then it was off on a bike ride - with Mr Pöttering giving the starting signal for an working group in the Parliament has decided for 2008 to supplement the service electric bike ride to Brussels for about 35 people, headed up by MEPs Michael Cramer, vehicle fleet with one electric bike in Brussels and one in Luxembourg as a test. Péter Olajos and Justas Vincas Paleckis. In the afternoon, a number of electric bikes Acorns to oak trees is the hope. pedal effort pays out in pounds research shows cycle tourism is route to riches - and is helping enhance green tourism opportunities A new report by leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, reveals that cycle tourism has the potential to contribute millions to the UK’s tourism economy. As demand for domestic holidays is predicted to rise in response to personal security, global climate change activity supports 216 jobs in the areas surrounding the routes. and the rising price of oil, this report presents a case for further investment in cycling, a Professor Les Lumsdon, Director of the Institute of Transport & Tourism at the University of promising sustainable tourism initiative. The report shows how in 2006, four cycle routes in Central Lancashire, commented: “Whilst the international tourism market is set to grow based the North East had a combined worth of over £13 million to wider regional economy. on past trends, there is some debate as to whether this can continue in the light of climate ‘The Economic Impact of Cycle Tourism in North East England’, was conducted by the change and rising oil prices. UK destinations providing green tourism opportunities could Institute of Transport & Tourism at the University of Central Lancashire, Loughborough Uni- benefit greatly in the future from consumers looking for more environmentally-friendly holi- versity, and Sustrans, as part of the Regional Cycle Tourism Project funded through One days.” Andy Cope, Director of Sustrans’ Research and Monitoring Unit, added: “By further sup- porting home-grown cycle tourism, a low-carbon form of tourism, the UK will not only realise economic benefits but will also have the opportunity to help minimise the effects of climate change - a healthy return on investment for both the UK economy and the planet.” The research uses a unique approach to produce a ‘bottom-up’ measure, differing from most analyses on tourism activity. This therefore represents an internationally significant con- taking cycling to the countryside helps local economies tribution to research, as well as providing an exceptionally accurate way of measuring the NorthEast’s Single Programme. It focused on economic impacts of four routes that form part impact of cycling activity in the North East region. of the National Cycle Network in the North East of England - the C2C (Sea to Sea) Cycle The study findings clearly show the extent of demand for leisure cycling in the North East, Route, the Coast and Castles Cycle Route, Hadrian’s Cycleway and the northern section of also illustrating how cycling can attract more visitors and play a part in the regeneration of the the Pennine Cycleway. region by stimulating tourism business development. Future investment in both routes and The four routes attracted over half a million trips in 2006, directly contributing £9.6 million to supported infrastructure will be critical in ensuring a quality visitor experience and quality of the North East economy. This represents a value of £13.4 million to the wider economy, life for local people. almost half of which came from out-of-region visitors. The money generated from cycling website: www.sustrans.org.uk published by The KSA Partnership, 97 Front Street, WHICKHAM, Tyne & Wear NE16 4JL office phone: 0191 488 1947 e.mail: [email protected] HELPING YOU internet: www.tradeandindustry.net DO BUSINESS advertisements & administration: Kate Spencer e.mail: [email protected] publisher & editor: Peter Lumley GREEN CONFERENCING e.mail: [email protected] here’s a scheme that cuts out a lot of travelling Is it really necessary to travel miles for your business meeting? Do you really need to hop on a plane just to talk business? According to green conferencing specialist, Climate Call, the remedy to unnecessary business travel The web-based ‘Live Meeting’ service means clients can and its impact on global warming is as simple as sitting at take part in discussions and debates with people all around longest running trade journal for the your own desk, writes Trade & Industry editor Peter Lumley. the world at a moment’s notice, and at a mere fraction of sector, launched over twenty eight years Based in Buckinghamshire, this newly launched com- the cost of travelling. It is easily set up, and is particularly ago as the first UK bicycles-only Trade magazine. pany is helping companies conduct vital meetings in an useful for delivering presentations online. environmentally friendly manner with audio and internet “We’re not just paying lip service to the idea of reducing conferencing services that leave time-consuming and costly carbon emissions,” emphasises Russ Belcher. “Climate Call business trip by road, rail or air well and truly on the back- is a business but we are dedicated to helping the environ- burner. On top of that Climate Call is demonstrating its own ment, and that is why we’ll practise what we preach by Outdoor Trade & Industry derives from the original outdoor business magazine commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by con- donating a percentage of our profits towards tree planting. Camping & Outdoor Leisure Trader tributing a percentage of its conferencing profits to the “The reality is that many individuals, businesses and or- ‘Pledge a Tree’ appeal. These donations enable clients to ganisations will find it impossible to cut out carbon emis- have trees planted and grown in the UK area of their choice sions completely, but Climate Call at least offers a sensi- and, for each order placed on a client’s behalf, there’s a ble, practical way in which businesses can increase pro- personalised certificate acknowledging the contribution to ductivity, and cut expenditure, at the same time. The re- dedicated to urban transport topics benefit the environment. duction in the environmental impact from transport choices and to developing awareness of lightweight Russ Belcher, director and co-founder of Climate Call, follows quite naturally.” powered two wheelers & trikes explains “Traffic congestion in the UK is the worst in Eu- rope, and accounts for 25% of carbon dioxide emissions. However, Climate Call can help businesses and individu- als work more efficiently, increase productivity, reduce costs, and support the environment at the proven successful business builder for both the Supplier and the Retailer. Used to exploit existing same time. The service offers an extremely synergies recognised across the sectors effective way of communicating with col- save with a Climate Calls virtual meeting leagues, employees, suppliers and custom- This case study provides evidence which compel and illustrate the ers anywhere in the world.” environmental and financial difference by hosting Climate Calls Jeden Monat fuer den ganzen Tree Appeal Talking to Russ Belcher last week I discov- virtual meetings.