Government Pledges £94million in funding to support cycling projects in England

Looking for our trivia answer – read on for more, but the correct answer is 1.9million. Now, onto our blog about funding for cycling projects.

 

Why is this good news we hear you ask? Well, firstly, many of the team here at Ethical Superstore cycle to work, almost every day. We’ve been crying out for better cycling infrastructure for years, and whilst we’ll never quite have the cycling culture of the Netherlands or Belgium, any improvements are most welcome.

 

Source. Department for Transport 2013

Source. Department for Transport 2013

Cycling has many benefits, to individuals, society, and to the environment. As you’d expect, we’re mostly concerned with the positive effect cycling has on the environment. Did you know:

 

• Cycling produces ZERO g CO2 per kilometer driven
• Manufacturing a bike produces 5 g CO2 per Kilometer driven
• Driving produces on average 229 g CO2 per kilometer driven
• Manufacturing a car produces 42 g CO2 per Kilometer driven

Facts from the European Cyclists Federation

 

 

Take an average commute by car for example, of 12 miles each way, or 38Km. The average car will emit 8,702 g CO2 per day, 43,510 g CO2 per week, 174,040 g CO2 per month. That’s a lot. It’s not very Eco-Friendly is it?

 

The good news is that more and more of us of are beginning to cycle. According to British Cycling, 1.9million of us now cycle at least once per week. 99,000 more people cycle now than in 2008. That’s great for the environment. Many Local Councils in England, such as Newcastle upon Tyne, have also committed to the goal of making 12% of all journeys under 5 miles being taken by bike in the next 10 years, something we could all look to achieve ourselves.

 

 

Cycling is also a great way to get fit, healthy, and happy, and is often the best way to commute. One of our team here at Ethical Superstore has saved over £4,000 by cycling to work over the last 18 months. How many Organic Chocolates could you buy with that!! This great infographic from our cycling friends, compares the methods of commuting.

 

Source Evans Cycles 2013

Source Evans Cycles 2013

 

If you’d like to get involved in cycling, take a look at British Cycling, they run some great beginner rides and sessions designed to get you up to speed, so to speak! And for all you keen cyclists out there, Ethical Superstore stocks a few little goodies to help you be safe, ride faster, or eat well.

 

Take our Wind up Bike Lights from PowerPlus for example, which makes running out of batteries a thing of the past. Just wind up, attach, and you’re good to go. The wind up device also acts a mobile phone charger. (Nokia cable supplied)

Wind up Bike Lights

Wind up Bike Lights

 

To help get kids into cycling, and to teach them about renewable energy in a really fun way, we have the PowerPlus chipmunk wind powered biker kit. Using just the wind to turn the propeller, this gadget turns wind power into a bright LED light to keep the kids visible.

 

Getting your nutrition right whilst cycling is really important. You need to make sure you have enough energy to get home after all! We stock some great tasting natural energy bars to keep those legs spinning. Our personal favourites are the Doves Farm Apple and Sultana fair trade flapjacks, and the Geobar chocolate and raisin cereal bars.

Great tasting, full of energy Apple and Sultana organic flapjacks

Great tasting, full of energy Apple and Sultana organic flapjacks

 

Staying hydrated whilst cycling is vitally important, we all use water bottles, but as most contain BPA, its best we don’t. That’s why we stock the Bobble Filtered Water Bottle, which filters water whilst you drink, is BPA free, and fits nicely inside a bottle cage on a bike.

Filter water while you drink

Filter water while you drink

For those of you who want to cycle that bit faster, we also stock the Beet It Sport Stamina Shot, which gives you a boost of Nitric Oxide into the blood stream, and is highly recommended by some of the UK’s leading sport nutritionists. For best effects consume 1-12 hours before exercise.

Ride faster!

Ride faster!

We’d like to know how many of our loyal customers are regular cyclists, and what type of cycling you do. Tell us below in the comments, or even better, post a picture of you cycling on our facebook wall!

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4 Responses

  1. Elaine says:

    I normally cycle 6 miles each day to work and again home, but have to use the train to travel to my start points because the road I would have to cycle is so very narrow and is extremely busy with large vehicles and fast cars. Otherwise I could add another 3 or so miles to my daily commute. At the moment my bike is in being repaired and serviced, so I have to use the train all the way. As I don’t own a car I tend to walk or cycle everywhere, if the distance is too great or the route dangerous, then I use the train, taking the bike with me!!

    • Stuart Anderson says:

      Hi Elaine, I think many regular cyclists also split their journey by train and bike. If you’re lucky enough to be able to ride the whole way then great! But if you’ve got busy roads which you don’t feel confident riding, then take safety first! Great to hear you’re being Eco Friendly!

  2. Fenny says:

    It’s 12 miles along fairly rural and hilly roads from home to work. This takes me 35 minutes in the car during term time and I have to cross a very busy junction. Cycling that distance would probably take me well over an hour and leave me completely unfit to work during the day even if I was based in the office. But my job requires me to travel around the county – sometimes up to 100 miles a day – and there’s no way I can do that by bike.

    I did used to cycle to work when I lived in Huddersfield and it was a nice 3 miles down the canal tow path to work. But that was more than 15 years ago, before age and a bad back took their toll.

    What I really want is a viable option on electric vehicles. I need one that has a better range and doesn’t need charging for several hours in the middle of the day!

    • Stuart Anderson says:

      Thanks for sharing Fenny! My commute is 12 miles each way, and its actually quicker in the car, as I have to cross through a city centre and cross a river. That said, its pretty flat so it makes it easier. I’m not sure I’d want a hilly commute! We also agree that electric vehicles are the future, and the sooner they can make the batteries last longer the better!

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