Safe storage for cyclists

A new locker facility for bike users at the University of St Andrews was opened today (Friday 10th November 2006), in the hope of encouraging more staff and students to cycle to work.

The secure facility at Butt’s Wynd follows on from over 200 cycle parking spaces that were installed over the summer around the University. The move by the University’s Environment team is a response to a recent travel survey which revealed that 8% of staff and students cycle to work and around the town.

The University’s Environment and Energy Manager, Roddy Yarr, said, “A recent travel survey of our staff revealed some very interesting travel patterns. For instance, 70% of staff travel to work by car and 30% of University staff live within 2 miles of work but only 8% of staff travel by bicycle. The lockers have been installed to enable road weary cyclists to have somewhere safe and secure to leave their trusty steeds. These lockers are familiar to rail travellers across the land but are the first such facility to be installed at the University.”

As a result of the survey, the University developed a Travel Plan that helps inform staff and students to alternatives available to the car, and the new locker facilities are part of an effort to make these options as attractive and user-friendly as possible.

Roddy continued, “In the survey, our staff and students gave us some ideas of the facilities that they would make use of and they included more and improved cycle parking facilities. The new lockers compliment over 200 newly refurbished cycle parking spaces that were installed over the Summer at the North Haugh, University Library, Castlecliff and the Observatory. We are actively working with Fife Council to explore ways to enable people to feel more able to use alternative forms of transport.”

Earlier this year, University cyclists were rewarded with a free breakfast after taking part in a ‘Bike to Work Breakfast’ as part of National Bike Week.

Keys to the lockers were distributed to regular users today, including the University’s web manager, Dr Stephen Evans, who regularly cycles in the 5.5. miles from Blebo Craigs.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT RODDY YARR ON Tel: 01334 463995 EMAIL [email protected]

Issued by Beattie Media – www.beattiegroup.com on behalf of the University of St Andrews

Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email gec3@st- andrews.ac.uk

Ref: cycle lockers 091106.doc

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