Rich experiences were had by all on Car Free Day
Car Free Day was in full swing on Friday 22nd September as the Sustainability team worked hard to raise awareness of alternative forms of travel.
The annual, international event is supported by Plymouth City Council and Connect Plymouth and has the aim of promoting the numerous benefits of car-free travel, including reduced air pollution, safer roads and improved health and wellbeing.
The busyness of our staff and patient car parks here at UHP is evident to anyone looking for a space, and whilst some members of staff have limited choice but to drive, the options of cycling, getting the bus or walking is a great way for some colleagues to help ease congestion. The day was a fab opportunity to earn extra green points on the Choosing Greener app- every extra point helps to grab those prizes!
As part of our efforts to raise awareness of Car Free Day, the Site Services department arranged a senior-leadership-supported Cycle to Work event. The team encouraged colleagues to cycle in, or ditch the car at the George Park & Ride and pedal down to work using one the Beryl Bikes. All brave, lycra-sporting cyclists were offered a complimentary breakfast, as well as use of the showers and locker rooms at the Derriford Centre for Health and Wellbeing.
For those less confident on two wheels, a cycling training session took place in car park c, and Plymouth City Council cycling instructors gave us all some lessons on a cargo bike, with the aim of introducing it as an alternative to carbon-emission-heavy transport of goods and equipment. All attendees were awarded with a £2.50 DCHW food and drink voucher, which goes a surprisingly long way!
All Plymothians know that we’re faced with enormous hills around the city, and cycling can be pretty hard work. E-bikes are a fabulous solution, and as part of the Car Free Day events, UHP staff were offered 2 free Beryl Bike rides per person and an opportunity to rent an E-bike for a month from DCHW. As E-bikes are quite an investment, these schemes let people try the bikes before purchasing one, meaning colleagues could be kind to their wallets and the planet.
Whilst it is true that most cars will now have a catalytic converter to help prevent harmful pollutants and particulates getting into the atmosphere, they are still responsible for a vast amount of CO2 emissions. In 2021, the average CO2 emissions from new cars in the UK stood at around 119.7g per kilometre which was 24.7g per kilometre higher than the EU target. This means that driving from the Theatre Royal to Derriford hospital would emit approximately 958g of CO2. Imagine the CO2 saving if even only 1 in 10 colleagues switched to cycling!
If you’re already a keen cyclist, join our Bicycle User Group to get across your views about how the cycling infrastructure could be improved. Email us at plh-tr.sustainability@nhs.net to get involved.
