Commuter drive to cut use of cars

Published on Thursday 3 December 2009 08:59

HUNDREDS of free bus passes and bicycles are set to be offered to Edinburgh commuters as part of a new bid to force cars off the road.

Eco-friendly company The Bike Station has been awarded a 750,000 grant from the government to fund the scheme.

Part of the cash will be invested in hundreds of trial bus passes for city commuters, while dozens of bicycles will also be given on free loans to people who live more than a couple miles from their workplace.

The 15-month pilot scheme – the detail of which is still to be finalised – will also see organised car-shares for those who wish to stick behind the wheel.

The drive, dubbed 80-40-20, is designed to slash carbon gases released into the atmosphere by 4,000 tonnes, as well as saving money and getting local residents healthier in the process.

The company will be hiring a further eight full-time and six part-time staff.

Mark Sydenham, project co-ordinator, said: "First off, we'll be encouraging people to walk to work but, failing that, we'd like to see 2,500 more people on their bikes or on the bus by this time next year. If people are too far away to make getting the bus viable, we'll organise car shares. There will be no excuses.

"Forty-five per cent of Edinburgh residents live less than 5km from their work so there is considerable potential for change."

The Bike Station will be developing the project with Lothian Buses, Edinburgh City Car Club, Cycling Scotland, Challenge for Change and the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative.

Residents will be offered advice on any aspect of travel including planning routes, cycle training and maintenance. There will also be several offers, including trial membership to City Car Club.

Mr Sydenham said: "We can make things easy and comfortable for everyone. For example, somebody might want to cycle but they might be afraid of going up Leith Walk. We can find an alternative, quieter route for them.

"We can make a massive difference with this project. Cycling is already on the rise in the Capital;

now we can offer interested people the facilities and the education they need to take the next step."

A total of 41 organisations have benefited from the latest round of funding from the Climate Challenge Fund to develop their own projects.