People across the North-east are being invited to participate in the first ever Aberdeenshire-wide Cycling Challenge from September 7 – 27, supported by Aberdeenshire Council.
In association with Love to Ride, an organisation working across the UK to encourage more people to cycle, the council is inviting local businesses and organisations as well as their own staff to participate. The challenge is to get as many people as possible signed up to cycle just 10 minutes on as many days as they can for three weeks – it’s not about how fast or far you cycle but how many individuals from your team, department and/or organisation get on their bikes.
It’s free to enter and participants can sign up at http://www.lovetoride.net/aberdeenshire It’s open to all local organisations and if yours is already listed you can select it from a drop down menu or register your organisation and become a local champion for the cause.
This comes as an Electric Vehicle Roadshow is also announced for September in Aberdeenshire. Electric vehicles will be showcased in Inverurie (September 6), Peterhead (September 13), Westhill Arnhall Business Park (September 17), Woodhill House (September 18), Fraserburgh (September 20), Huntly (September 27) and Ellon (October 4). The council is looking to increase the uptake of ultralow carbon battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by demonstrating how easy and efficient the vehicles are to use. More details to be announced soon.
The cycling challenge and roadshow are part of the council’s strategy to promote healthy and sustainable travel. These both form part of the Integrated Travel Town project which aims to raise awareness of the transport options available and encourage people to consider alternatives when looking at ways to reduce motoring costs and CO2 emissions.
Councillor David Aitchison, Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee commented: “It’s great to see sustainable transport given a platform through events like these. We hope as many people as possible will participate in the cycling challenge and also go along to find out more about the electric vehicles.
“When people remember and discover just how beneficial and fun cycling is, hopefully they will continue cycling long after the challenge has ended."
Businesses that encourage more of their employees to discover the joys and benefits of cycling will themselves begin to benefit in terms of a fitter and healthier workforce. This is the first time the council has supported the challenge and it is hoped it will grow each year.
Jim Savege, Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Council who is himself a cycling enthusiast, said: “We hope to inspire and support many local people to realise the health, economic and wellbeing benefits of cycling. For those who perhaps haven’t been on a bike since they were children, I can promise you it’s just as fun! What better a backdrop for an outing than the stunning scenery we have here in Aberdeenshire.”
Prizes for highest levels of participation in the cycling challenge are awarded at an organisational, local and national level. These include a trip to New Zealand, Kryptonite bike locks, annual membership with the National Trust, Active Aberdeenshire memberships, passes for Go Ape (Tree Top Adventure in Crathes), cinema tickets and a £25 voucher for Cycle Highlands.
Those participating in the challenge are also eligible to take up special offers such as bike hire for just £15 per day throughout the challenge with Cycle Highlands, 10% off bike hire with Banchory Cycles, and Alpine Bikes are offering 5% discount on bikes and 10% on accessories.
Aberdeenshire Council, along with many other local businesses, also offers its employees the option of joining a Cycle to Work scheme whereby participants can access a brand new bicycle and safety accessories for cycling to work and the cost is spread over monthly interest free payments. As a government-supported scheme savings of up to 42% are available through reduced income tax and national insurance contributions.