BRILLIANT
BIKES Talking to Michael Barratt MBE about the BITA members involved in the Constructors Cycle Experience
C
argo bikes have been around since the Industrial Revolution. In 1856, mass production dramatically reduced the price of steel, which, along with the invention of the pneumatic tyre in 1888, helped kickstart the bicycle revolution and the birth of the first cargo bikes. The Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy 2018 sets out a vision for a healthier, greener, and more prosperous city. The strategy makes clear that a new type of thinking is required to increase active, efficient, and sustainable travel to help achieve this vision for London. Cycling is central to attaining a healthier lifestyle and has the bonus of being ‘almost’ emission free. Many companies within London are now utilising the benefits from cycling within their business and some are having their goods delivered by cargo bike. This opens a big opportunity for the construction industry to get involved. The benefits of using a cargo bike can help reduce traffic congestion, conflicts with vulnerable road users, bus delay, impacts on health and the environment, fuel costs, driver time and help local economies. BITA on Santander Hire cycles To date, over 50 BITA members have taken part in a ‘Constructors Cycle Experience.’ For many, the invitation to get on a Santander hire bike and riding the streets of London is met with a response of ‘you won’t get me on a bloody bike’. However, after gentle persuasion many succumb and afterwards tell me that they enjoyed themselves and even that they are considering taking up cycling. One fine example was when Mr. Noel Byrne, Director at Ardentide, was enticed into the saddle. Some members will also say they’ve been ‘nudged’ into trying out cargo bikes within their business.
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HAVING A GO ON THE BIKES WAS GREAT CRAIC AND DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO TRIALLING AT WORK!
