Last month, in the spirit of National Cycling Week, our colleagues united for a mass, active morning commute with various activities that followed throughout the day.

The day started with a bang, with a mass cycle ride, run, and walk into campus. Colleagues signed up and made their way into the office by commuting sustainably and getting their daily dose of exercise early in the morning. Seeing our community come together was fantastic, and it encouraged new members to join in.

Throughout the day, we hosted a range of stallholders to provide opportunities for staff and students to have their bikes serviced, repaired and security-marked for free, as well as testing out e-bikes and e-scooters.

Benefits of active travel

There are several reasons why you should consider giving an active commute a go; James Paradise from our Security team shares his thoughts:

'I enjoy running because staying active is good for the mind, body and soul. It also brings a lot of people together – a large community together – which is what it’s about here at the University. Whether you cycle, run or walk, it means we can catch up with people you don’t always see around campus, and it’s always an enjoyable time out in the open, especially during the summer months!'

Take advantage of University initiatives

If you missed out on the National Cycling Week event, don’t fret. A range of initiatives are ready to help you start your sustainable commute to work. Take the first step today and join the movement towards eco-friendly travel.

For those without a bike (or in need of something new or different), you can make the most of the cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme to purchase a bicycle, component parts and safety accessories up to the value of £5,000, and you'll be able to save on tax and National Insurance.

Nicolas Delves-Broughton, Imaging Design and Print Services, shares his experience with the scheme and his joy for cycling:

'I bought a couple of bikes with cycle-to-work scheme and equipment over the years. It definitely helps enable staff to make those changes in their commute. I like to cycle to campus because I can avoid the traffic and I hate sitting in a car. It’s better for me (cycling), and it saves me money. I am able to have a nice shower when I get to work and I can get home quicker than cars sometimes.'

Alongside this scheme, other initiatives available to you as a member of staff include:

Embracing an active travel (such as cycling, running, and walking) benefits individuals, the environment and fosters a strong sense of community and togetherness. It's a chance to meet new people, share experiences, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable community. By taking advantage of the various initiatives and support available, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and enjoyable way of commuting to work.

Let's continue to embrace active travel and positively impact our lives and the environment!