Press Release

City Centre Cycle for Council Workers

Wednesday 18th June 2008

A range of biking events have been taking place throughout the UK this week, which is officially ‘Bike Week’. This is one of the UK’s biggest cycling events and is an annual opportunity to promote cycling as a source of fitness and fun as well as encourage the community to use sustainable transport options, where possible, such as walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing.

Mayor Gerard Diver praised the lunchtime event, saying he supported any initiative that promoted a healthy lifestyle and fitness. He continued

“Cycling is a wonderful way for everyone to do their bit for the environment, help make a difference, have fun and be healthy. Derry City Council is committed to improving the city infrastructure so that more people are encouraged to leave the car at home, lowering our city’s carbon emissions, saving money and diluting traffic congestion. The successful bid by Connect 2 and the council to extend the cycle path across the river, linking both sides of the city, will provide families and individuals with a wonderful cycle route and encourage the entire community to incorporate cycling into their daily lives.”

The Derry City Council Access Forum recently launched a Bike Share Scheme to facilitate council staff interested in using bikes as an alternative mode of transport during their working day. Two Raleigh bicycles, one for women and one for men, have been provided for these purposes. As the Council offices are located right on the Riverside cycle path, these bicycles will be invaluable for attending meetings, going to one of the local supermarkets, or a leisure ride at lunchtime.

Ross McGill, Sustainable Transport Officer, Sustrans says

“Cycling to work offers many advantages over the car: it’s inexpensive, statistically safer, a healthy low-impact exercise, there’s no time wasted waiting in traffic jams and it’s helps reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.”

The popularity of city cycling has grown in recent years with the cycle path on the city-side beside the river being used frequently by patrons and with the realisation of new connected cycle routes between both sides of the river in the near future the city looks set to become a cycle haven.

Ends

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