Plymouth’s first Workplace Cycle Challenge – ‘Every Ride Counts’ – was a great success, with 86 people, across 23 teams and 10 organisations taking part.
The challenge, which was led by Plymouth City Council’s Plymotion team, rewarded the number of trips made, rather than the distance cycled, to encourage more people out and about cycling, especially for the journey to work.
Instead of car journey trips, participants took part in 2,808 bike rides. Each trip averaged just over 26 minutes.
The winners of this year’s challenge were: Best Team ‘Team Ambitious But Rubbish’ (Babcock International), defying their name and completing an impressive 304 rides over 101 hours and 36 minutes. The best team photo was won by Bikespace Boys (Bikespace) with a creative and original photo of their team members taken during the challenge.
Councillor Jeremy Goslin, who has recently been appointed as Plymouth’s new Cycling Champion said:
“It’s great that the challenge was so well received and that so many teams took part. All the teams have done exceptionally well and I am really pleased that the challenge was enjoyed by both new and seasoned cyclists.
“We’re looking forward to running the challenge again next year and hope that even more businesses and teams take part.”
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said:
“The cycle challenge is just one of the ways that the council are helping more people to get out and about by bike. Don’t forget that we also offer free adult cycle training, bicycle safety checks, access to workshops and subsidised maintenance courses.
“We also offer free two month loans of a cargo bike to local businesses. For more information contact the Plymotion team.”
Comments from Workplace Cycle Challenge participants included:
“I have often thought about riding my bike to work but always found an excuse not to! This was just what I needed to get me to take the plunge and I have carried on cycling into work now the Plymotion event is over and intend to do so until the weather gets pants again!
“Even though I haven’t done lots of rides, this challenge has encouraged me to take the bike and not the car and great to enjoy the sun. It’s just such a lovely way to start the day, with a cycle in the sun!”
“Thanks for organising the event, hopefully after seeing how popular cycling has become, some money can be spent on the cycling infrastructure on the more popular routes for cycling around Plymouth.”
For more information on Plymotion visit plymouth.gov.uk/plymotion
