Blue Bike helps Cardiff businesses to reduce their carbon footprint
Alastair Baglee and BenAllen with the unusual Big Blue Bike
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ig Blue Bike, the Cardiff based cycle courier operation, has launched a new initiative which tracks the carbon emission savings made by companies using their services. The scheme, the first of its kind in Cardiff, calculates the monthly saving of CO2 a
company makes by switching motorised deliveries in the city to Big Blue Bike’s cargo bicycles. The calculation, made by climate change consultants Acclimatise, using Government official figures, has allowed Big Blue Bike to estimate that its clients could save, on average, 70kg of
CO2 emissions per year. Ben Allen, Director of Big Blue Bike, said “It is important for businesses to track the carbon savings made by using our service, not only because it helps them reduce their carbon footprint, but it also helps them stand out in the marketplace as supporters of low carbon initiatives.” Alastair Baglee, Technical Director of Acclimatise said of the scheme, ”We are very glad to support Big Blue Bike in Cardiff. It is great to see Ben’s company lead the way in highlighting this very important issue. Acclimatise understands the risks that unchecked climate change may represent for business and society, and schemes like this should be applauded for helping to reduce the potential effects of a changing climate. I hope that many businesses in Cardiff switch to Big Blue Bike’s excellent, low carbon, service”. Acclimatise operate from America with three offices in the UK, one in Cardiff Bay. Ben hopes that this scheme can assist in Cardiff Council’s commitment to a 26% reduction in the city’s carbon emissions from business by 2020.
Lessons in BMX over the school holidays School pupils in Cardiff were still taking lessons over the half term, but in something that’s more fun than maths and science. Welsh Cycling hosted a Track Attack week at Maindy Leisure Centre where under 16s were able to learn about the different disciplines of cycling by trying them out themselves. Ben Simmons, Go Ride coach and professional cyclist, hosted the sessions in Mountain Biking, Fixed Wheel, Free Wheel and BMX giving tips and advice to young cyclists on how to perform best. At the BMX track, the boys were shown how to ride the track, where to pedal fast and when to take it easy. Bikes and helmets were supplied at each session, so there was no excuse not to take part. pedalcardiff.wordpress.com
Getting around the BMX pump track in Maindy
The boys started by controlling the bikes down the start hill and getting around the first burm. As they built up confidence, they picked up speed and by the end of the session were racing each other around the BMX pump track. Ben (pictured right) enthused about the session, “It’s great to see the boys engaging in cycling and learning new skills on the bike. We will be bringing it back to Maindy in the Easter half term, where more people will be able to come and take part.” Visit the Welsh Cycling website for the latest on the Track Attack sessions. PEDAL CARDIFF
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