Submitted by Peter Lumb on Tue, 2016-03-29 11:49
April is the Environment and Energy section's final ‘spotlight on’ month of the academic year! During the month, we will be shining our spotlight on sustainable travel at the University. The University has set targets to encourage sustainable travel and offers a range of incentives for staff to use more sustainable travel modes to and at work, and we'll be focusing on these throughout the month via a range of activities and initiatives, including:
Events
We will be running a series of special travel events across the University to provide information to staff and students on travel issues. Some of these events will take place at buildings that have travel plans in place, as part of their commitment to encouraging sustainable travel. The planned events include three ‘Dr Bike’ maintenance sessions, and even a bike-powered Scalextric event! Although aimed at staff based at buildings mentioned below, all University staff are welcome to attend the events.
- 'Dr Bike' free bike maintenance session, New Museums Site (date TBC).
- 'Dr Bike' free bike maintenance session, Maxwell Centre Dr Bike session (date TBC).
- 'Dr Bike' free bike maintenance session, Engineering Dept (date TBC).
- Spotlight on travel event featuring the 'scalextric bike' Greenwich House Spotlight on Travel event (date TBC).
E&E will also be visiting departments across the University to talk to staff about sustainable travel options and run our ‘folding bike challenge’ competition! Keep en eye out for us at the following locations, and feel free to come along.
- E&E travel roadshow, 12.00pm - 2.00pm 1 April, Cybercafe, Chemistry Department.
- E&E travel roadshow, 11.30am - 1.30pm 15 April, Clifford Albutt Building foyer.
- E&E travel roadshow, 11.00am - 1.00pm 29 April, Judge Business School.
Want some help running an event of your own? Read our guidance on running an environmental event or drop us an email for further advice. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter accounts for pictures from all the events!
Posters, leaflets and guidance
As well as a range of travel posters covering cycle security, cycle safety, the Cyclescheme salary sacrifice scheme and carsharing, we’ve also produced six new 'pocket sized' travel leaflets which show travel options to and from each of the main University sites.
On top of all that we've also produced a brand new step-by-step guide on how to set up a pool bike scheme in your department.
Website
As with spotlight on waste and spotlight on energy month, we’ve put together a list of simple things you can do to promote sustainable travel in your department or college. We’ve also got lots of information on our website about incentives for staff to travel by sustainable modes, plus information on building travel plans and the latest stats about how University staff travel to work – you might be surprised to know that around 75% of staff already use ‘sustainable’ modes to get to work!
Green Impact
Teams will be submitting their Green Impact online workbooks on the 22 April and, following a workshop on 21 March, will be focussing on completing travel criteria to tie in with ‘spotlight on travel’ month. Keep your eyes peeled for Green Impact goings-on in your department.
Send us photos of your commute!
As April approaches with its longer days and unpredictable weather, we’re keen to see how University staff and students get to their places of work or study. Whether it’s a pretty countryside view, an unmoving line of traffic, or your soaked rain gear drying off, we’d love to get a snapshot of how University staff get to, from, and between their places of work. Send us your photos (make sure you take them safely and legally!) and send them to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts. There's a 'Green Challenge' bike seat cover or water bottle in it for every person who send us one!