Submitted by Susannah Cook on Thu, 2022-06-23 14:50
If you were leaving Greenwich House on Wednesday, you might have seen the motley crew of 12 members of the Sustainability Team getting ready to be taken on our team cycle tour of Cambridge, led by one of our Transport Managers, Mike Davies.
Practising what he preaches, we were led in an ‘M-Check’ by Stewart, our Transport Coordinator, making sure that our cycles were safe and fit to participate. Two members of our team even made use of the Greenwich House Pool Bikes (For staff, behind a raven log in).
Although we had a wide range of cycling proficiency across the team, we all set off in convoy towards Huntingdon Road. Our first stop was the parallel priority cycle crossing, before we journeyed onto Histon Road to experience the delights of the recently installed CYCLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) Junction. This junction includes a cycle lane that encircles the junction, separating cyclists, motorists and pedestrians, prioritising the safety of all.
Mike then led us on a jaunt through Chesterton, over the Cutter Ferry Bridge onto Midsummer Common and under Elizabeth Bridge. We found out that the bridge actually contains a firing range, a homeless shelter and houses the Christmas decorations for the city. We did lose (ironically) the most neon members of our party here, but soon went off together again towards Stourbridge Common.
We went halfway over the Riverside Bridge to learn about the artwork that also functions as boxes for swifts. Mike then told us about the acoustic testing for the bridge carried out before it opened and the rogue member of the public that lunged forward to cut the ribbon when the bridge was officially opened, before we headed on our way.
Dodging cows, pedestrians, and an errant sprinkler, we made our way to survey the Chisholm Trail Bridge, before continuing back into the centre of the city. Although I said my goodbyes here, the rest of the team headed on to see the latest art installation at the railway station, Ariadne Wrapped, before refuelling with pizza at the Salisbury Arms.
Many thanks to Mike for organising such an educational tour of the city!
Written by: Susannah Cook, Communications and Engagement Coordinator