[Netnews-action] Weds 18 June: Cycle to Work: HEP guided rides to Oxford Road

[Networking Newsletter]

{{{the below is primarily aimed at HEP staff; GMCC are also doing rides;
Council has an events; other local events also - see
http://www.bikeweek.org -- more over the weekend. I understand the HEP
event has already got over 20 new cyclists to give it a go! 
Later, Michael}}}


                                  ----
           Saddle up for National Bike 2 Work Day – 18th June


        NEW cyclists wanted & current cyclists are here to help


Ever had the thought that it would be great to try cycling to work? 

Well now is your opportunity to drag the bike out of the garage, take
the bull by the horns and give it a go!


The Higher Education Precinct (HEP) partners (Univ Mcr, MMU, NHS Trust &
RNCM) is putting on events, with the main aim of encouraging its staff
who don’t currently cycle to give it a try. The main event is on
Wednesday 18th June when current cyclists will guide new cyclists into
the central University area showing them the best routes in as well as
being on hand to help with queries, parking of bikes etc. 


Bike Week ( www.bikeweek.org.uk) is the UK’s biggest annual promotion of
cycling and although the University has taken part before we thought
we’d try something new this year. Namely, that current cyclists would
generously pass on their valuable experience to new/infrequent cyclists
who would like to try cycling but don’t know where to start. The aim of
Bike Week is to get ‘more people cycling, more often’ and that is
exactly what we are trying to do. 


Please do express your interest (a.j.hough at mmu.ac.uk) – doing so will
mean you can get the latest information and does not mean you HAVE to
take part. 


So here are the main facts:


7 x Bike 2 Work rides


7 rides are currently planned with the help of current HEP cyclists, who
will act as route leaders. The rides will take the most suitable route
for novice riders and go at leisurely pace. They will converge on the
Bridgeford Street cycle shelter at 830am. The rides will come from:


Chorlton via Whalley Range

Levenshulme

East Didsbury

West Didsbury via Withington

Prestwich

Sale Moor

Ashton


More detail on the start times and exact routes can be found in the
University’s cycling pages: www.umbug.manchester.ac.uk(B2W link on left
of page. Look out for continual updates)


If you intend to join in (or are even considering it) please contact
Andrew Hough, Travel Plan Co-ordinator a.j.hough at mmu.ac.ukand express
your interest. Whether you are new, novice or current cyclist, doing so
will help gauge numbers and help with the planning of the events.
Regular cyclists – please join your local ride if you can. 

Of course, if you plan to try cycling in and your route is not covered
then please still inform Andrew. 


FREE Bike Hire courtesy of the University


The Bicycle Boutique are providing a limited number of cycles for staff
to trial their home to work journey for the whole week (Mon – Fri), as
we know not everyone has their own cycle. If you feel that you could
make good use of a cycle, do not have a suitable one and would be happy
to pass on your experiences, please register your interest with Andrew
and he will inform you of the next steps. 


Access to cycle parking


If you register that you are taking part your swipe card will be updated
to allow you access to the relevant secure cycle parking shelter. 


Prizes, prize draws and freebies!


Those that register and take part will receive a prize pack, cycling
information and will be entered into a prize draw to win some exciting
cycling related prizes. 


When you arrive


Plans are not finalised yet but when you do arrive at Bridgeford Street
you can expect there to be:

Cycle maintenance/diagnosis courtesy of the 

Bicycle Boutique and/or Bicycle Doctors

Cycle security marking and advice from GM Police

Prize packs for those that have taken part

Local cycle group information

Look out for more details…


Bike Budi’s – NEW to the HEP


To coincide with Bike Week and to help prospective cyclists a new Bike
Budi scheme has been implemented. This online database enables current
cyclists to offer their support to new cyclists in their area. This
works much the same as our car sharing database and is available through
the same website. So if you are happy to help new cyclists local to you,
or are a new cyclist looking for help with your route etc, then please
sign up.


Please note: this is our private group (‘sort it with car share gm’) and
only members of staff at the HEP institutions can sign up – as with car
sharing. 


Go to www.carsharegm.comto register and choose our private group ‘sort
it with car share gm’. When adding your journey make sure you pick
‘looking for a BikeBUDI’


FREE Cycle Training


We know that many staff would feel more confident cycling if they had
some form of formal training. That is why we have also teamed up with
Bike Right! www.bikeright.co.ukto offer staff the chance to go along to
a basic or intermediate course in June or July. These open courses will
be at the Velodrome (not on the track!) in East Manchester. The cost of
the course will be funded by the University. Places will be limited, so
to find out more contact Andrew Hough a.j.hough at mmu.ac.uk


UMBUG (University of Manchester Bike User Group)


The University area already has the highest cycling rate in Greater
Manchester - we want to build on this. The University has a committed
BUG which is looking to further the provision for cyclists. Many of its
members have kindly offered to help with this year’s events. 

The next meeting of the group will be:

1pm Thursday 5th June, room G205 Alan Turing Building

This meeting will give all the latest on the events so please come along
to find out more and get involved. 


Finally…


Cycling is a fantastic form of travel, not only for you but for the
environment too. We want to make this event a real success so please
consider giving cycling a try, especially if there is a ride talking
place near your home. We hope to provide some interesting case studies
over the coming months. Remember that cycling can form part of your
sustainable travel – perhaps cycle to work once or twice a week in the
summer.

For any queries at all please contact Andrew Hough
a.j.hough at mmu.ac.ukTel: 247 1364.