Travelchoice Week 2008
School Run Challenge Wednesday 17
September
Four teachers travelling by bike, foot, bus and car competed
against each other in a journey from Cathedral Square in
Peterborough to prove which method of transport is the
fastest, cheapest, greenest and healthiest.The commuters set off
from Cathedral Square at 7.45 am and used different routes on the
city's road, bus, cycle and walking networks to arrive at the
Voyager for about 8.15 am.
The cyclist was by far the quickest, with a time of 13 minutes
47 seconds. The car driver was next, at 21 minutes, followed by the
bus at 28 minutes. The pedestrian came in at a commendable 36
minutes.
The car journey is by far the most expensive, at £7.08
including petrol, wear and tear and parking. The bus costs
£1.90 one way (but a weekly Megarider will reduce the cost of
this journey to £1). The cost of cycling and walking is
negligible. Motorists can reduce their costs by
car-sharing, and can save around £1000 a
year.
Walking has the greatest health benefits and burned roughly
264 calories. The cyclist burned 121 calories,
while the bus traveller and driver burn only a few on their walk
from the bus stop or car park. However, bus
passengers could combine some exercise with their commute by
walking part of the distance.
The 'carbon footprint' of car drivers is the largest -
emitting 1034g of CO2, while the walker and cyclist emit none. Bus
passengers are responsible for 329g of carbon.
Sustainable Travel Exhibition Saturday 20
September
Around 300 people attended the event, many of
which made a good going pledge to use sustainable transport
more often. As well as offering visitors the chance to have their
bike security marked and a free maintenance check, Travelchoice
held a number of competitions including a combination lock
challenge to win a bike. Colin Ho, of Yaxley, was the lucky winner.
The Sullivan family were closest to the hidden treasure on the
cycle map and won themselves a tag along bike.
Car Free Day Monday 22
September
Peterborough City Council staff were asked to leave their cars
at home for Car Free Day. The Town Hall, Bridge House, Bayard Place
and the Depot in Fengate were all challenged to see which office
could get the most amount of staff travelling to work by
sustainable modes.
The Depot won biscuits for the entire office to enjoy, with
42% of staff travelling to work by sustainable means. Bayard Place
came second (37%), Town Hall third (36%) and Bridge House fourth
(27%).
Colin Ho winner of the
combination lock challenge and Rachel Birrell (Travel Plan Officer)
tallying the staff at the Town Hall, during Car Free Day.