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Quorum steers 'it's better by bike' message to staff commuters

Quorum Business Park has partnered with pioneers of the ‘National Cycle Network’ and the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, and Newcastle’s longest established bike shop, M-Steel Cycles, to launch its monthly pop-up cycle hub encouraging employees on the park to cycle to work.

The ‘it’s better by bike’ programme offers information, guidance and incentives to local employees on Quorum looking to switch from their current work commute method, such as the car – ultimately promoting cycling as an accessible and safe form of travel for journeys under 5 miles.

An impressive number of park employees turned out for the launch on 12 February, where advice was provided on everything from bike maintenance to route planning and Quorum’s innovative pool bike scheme, while free refreshments were served.

M-Steel Cycles gave away 30 free bike health checks while Sustrans introduced a new ‘bike buddy’ service where an experienced cyclist will recommend the safest routes to commuters and accompany them on their way to and from work until they feel confident enough to continue without support.

Quorum Business Park events and sustainability manager Laura Barber said: “We’re thrilled with the interest we received at the event and it was great to see a lot of new faces that haven’t used the pool bikes before, finding out more about cycling to work for the first time.

“It’s really important for us to get across the message that it’s an easy, stress-free travel option that can be a cheaper and quicker alternative to taking the car to work – especially for those living within five or six miles of the park. We also want to dispel the preconceptions that you have to be an experienced cyclist or be head-to-toe in lycra to be able to get started.”

Sustrans Workplace officer, Laurence Bonner, who created the concept of the ‘pop-up cycle hub’ within business parks, said: “It’s fantastic to work with Quorum Business Park to offer this service to staff on site. We are seeing a sharp increase in the number of people wanting to cycle to work, but there are still certain barriers that make it too difficult for some. That’s why we’re here, enabling people to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys.”

Second hand, reconditioned bikes were also on offer from WatBike at affordable prices, of which the proceeds went to the WatBus Charity, and the day was rounded off with a guided group bike ride from Quorum.

Laura concluded: “Encouraging more park employees to cycle to work has been on our sustainability agenda for several years now and we’re sure the Bike Hub will do much by way of appealing to a wider audience. We’ve also engaged tenants to ensure they support their employees who cycle to work with the right facilities and regular incentives, helping us to achieve this long-term aim.”

The Bike Hub will open its doors on Quorum’s retail parade on the second Wednesday of every month throughout 2014 featuring free bike servicing, biker’s breakfasts, fashion shows and cycling yoga sessions.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Quorum Business Park .