UWE Leads the Way in Cycling Research and Practice NEWS
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thebulletin 27 July 2008 - Issue 78 UWE leads the way in cycling research and practice NEWS In this UWE leads the way in cycling research month’s issue and practice 2 UWE leads the way in cycling research and UWE is set to become one of the leading universities for cycling research and innovation in cycling practice practice. The recent announcement of inward investment to Bristol of £11.3 million was significantly influenced by a Great Western Research PhD studentship project being undertaken by Henrietta 4 New sustainability Sherwin, with Dr Graham Parkhurst from the Centre for Transport and Society as lead supervisor. institute for UWE For the past two years the project, ‘The potential for behaviour change towards bike rail 6 Urgent need for integration to contribute towards the sustainable mobility of the South West’, has focused on the campaign to highlight feasibility of introducing an integrated transport system combining cycling and rail. As part of the skin cancer risk project Henrietta Sherwin convened a steering group made up of partners at Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, First Great Western Trains and Hourbike Ltd to investigate the 6 UWE historians pen feasibility of introducing a bike hire system to Bristol. plays for Trade It Henrietta explains, “The idea for a bike hire scheme has evolved over the past two years. We looked at schemes running elsewhere, including in Paris and the Netherlands and came to see that there is a better way forward. In Paris the entire network was put in place before it was launched and this has resulted in some areas having too many unused stands and others in busy hubs proving insufficient for the demand. “What we propose to do in Bristol is to build a scheme that grows in response to demand starting off in a fairly modest way by positioning bikes in natural hubs like railway stations. It is anticipated that the system will grow as more businesses, hospitals, schools, primary health care trusts, gyms and retailers join the scheme. An important aspect of the scheme is the efficient way that it will evolve according to the needs and demands of participating organisations and business.” In addition to this influential research project, UWE has set up a range of services aimed at encouraging more staff and students to cycle to work. Steve Ward was appointed UWE Transport Planner in 2006 and has worked hard to ensure that UWE encourages sustainable transport options. As part of this remit he has introduced a range of The Bulletin is published by the incentives to help staff and students choose cycling as their primary means of transport. Marketing and Communications Steve said, “I’d like to see as many people as possible living within a five mile radius of UWE Office who reserve the right to campuses cycling to work. We are doing all we can to encourage people to consider this by select items for inclusion and to enabling staff to purchase a bike tax free through the cycle to work scheme. Take up for the cycle edit copy. For further information to work scheme has been phenomenal with over 100 staff purchasing bikes since the scheme contact Jane Kelly or Mary Price started last year. on ext 82208, e-mail Jane.Kelly@ uwe.ac.uk and Mary.Price@uwe. “We also provide maps and routes surrounding all campuses and welcome the introduction of a ac.uk. bike buddy scheme. This was set up by PhD student Caroline Bartle from the Centre for Transport and Society and is made up of volunteer guides who can share routes to work from 40 localities in and around Bristol and this scheme has proved very popular. Editor: Jane Kelly Editor: Mary Price “We have also recently launched a Bike Users Group (BUG) forum for staff and students to exchange information related to cycling matters. All this and more cycle racks and better shower Contributor: Lesley Drake and changing facilities have contributed to a growing number of people who are opting for two Production: Jayne Andrews wheels rather than four.” Designed by Graphic Design Sustainability is at the heart of UWE’s Printing and Distribution by commitment to cycling. Printing and Stationery As a key partner in the bike hire scheme, The next issue will be circulated the University intends at the end of September. to host eight bicycles Copy date for this is Monday on campus out of the 1 September. Please do keep 60 planned in the first sending contributions in. The Bulletin regrets that it cannot be phase of the scheme held responsible for any claims this autumn. that arise out of advertisements Pictured on their bikes carried. are from left to right Caroline Bartle, Steve Front cover: Ward, Dr Graham Pictured from left to right are Caroline Parkhurst and Henrietta Bartle, Steve Ward, Dr Graham Sherwin Parkhurst and Henrietta Sherwin 2 Cyclescheme a resounding success with staff Since July 2007 UWE has teamed up with Cyclescheme Ltd Kieran O’Malley, a Technician in School of Life Sciences, was to help employees take advantage of tax and NI savings on the first person to get a voucher. Kieran cycles in about twice bike purchases in order to commute to work. The scheme has a week and although a self confessed fair-weather cyclist, he proved to be very popular with staff and so far over 100 have said, “I had been toying with the idea for ages and the scheme taken advantage of the scheme. Cyclescheme is a Government kick-started me into buying a Specialized Rockhopper, a much initiative designed to make owning a bike financially easier, cut more souped up spec than I might otherwise have considered. congestion and improve health. My route from Bedminster takes in the Bristol to Bath cycle path and has introduced me to parts of Bristol I hadn’t Emma Lutkin administers the scheme for UWE, she said, explored before. It’s proved to be great exercise and it saves “Cyclescheme’s process has been really easy to implement and me 20 percent on my fuel costs for every day that I choose to run. Once a voucher has been requested by the individual it cycle. I’ve also found that my journey times at the end of the usually takes no more than three weeks to get the voucher. I day are much shorter when I cycle. I’d recommend the scheme was really pleased when I was given the task of looking into to everyone at UWE.” implementing a Cycle to Work scheme at UWE - I’m a bit of an eco nut so was very Maggie Westgarth received the 100th voucher excited about being able to have a new bike and looks forward to cycling to work, she said, to get to work on without it costing the “I have ordered a six gear extra light weight earth! titanium Brompton that can deal with the hills between my home and Freshford station and “Since July 2007 when it was launched over folds away neatly for my train journey from 110 vouchers have been issued and I’m really Freshford to Filton Abbeywood. The cycle to pleased with the success of the scheme work scheme has made a very expensive bike and, as it has no end date, I hope that will much more affordable and will get me out of continue. Cycling to work, particularly if it’s my car and on to the train.” a short journey, is so much nicer that being in a car in traffic and it’s amazing how easy To find out more about the scheme, visit it becomes if you’re not ultra fit to start www.uwe.ac.uk/cycle with.” Kieran O’Malley UWE ranked third in UK for sustainability UWE has been ranked third out of all UK universities by the programme and achieving 32 per cent recycling. The award annual People and Planet survey which measures sustainability also recognises the strength of the University's Environmental and highlights those institutions which have made the Policy and Sustainability Strategy, launched in March 2008. greatest strides in achieving this. The University has jumped See: www.uwe.ac.uk/environment/documents/Strategy.pdf five places since last year's survey, in which UWE was ranked Mark Webster, UWE's Environment Manager said, "Winning eighth. http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/greenleague2008 this accolade is a considerable achievement given the size and Professor Steven West, Vice-Chancellor of UWE, says the complexity of the University - it is also great recognition for result is welcome recognition for the staff and students who all those who have made tremendous efforts to deliver the have worked hard to achieve this position. “Environment University's sustainability objectives so far and a boost for us and sustainability is an integral part of the University, both to continue to improve.” academically and within the professional services. In recent Drivers with the new Ulink bus (above) years UWE has built upon its expertise in teaching and research in sustainability related disciplines, recognising our role to ensure our students are equipped with the skills to make a positive difference towards a sustainable future. "On 24 June 2008 we announced the launch of a new Institute for Sustainability, Health and Environment bringing together skills and expertise from across the University to deliver holistic learning. We have also committed to ensuring that every UWE student will be exposed to the core issues in the sustainability agenda, whatever course they are studying. UWE is striving to deliver the whole package; education for sustainable development on a sustainable campus.” This year new initiatives include the launch of the University's low emissions bus service for students and staff, as well as UWE playing a key role in promoting cycling in Bristol.