Rickshaw service to mark European Mobility Week
A commuter challenge, a sustainable travel competition and a
free rickshaw pedicab taxi service will all be taking place to mark
European Mobility Week 2011.
The campaign runs from the 16th to the 22nd of September and
aims to encourage more people to cycle, walk or use public
transport.
Bedford Borough Council is committed to encouraging more people
to use sustainable transport in the borough and is pleased to
support European Mobility Week again this year.
The Council’s events to support Mobility Week launch on Saturday
17th September with a free rickshaw pedicab service for town centre
visitors. This is the first time this service has been available in
the town centre and will offer free, sustainable transport in and
around the town centre throughout the day.
The rickshaw will be available from outside the Town Hall or
alternatively by calling the number advertised on the rickshaw
itself. It will operate from 9am until 5pm.
Monday 19th September will see the launch of a Sustainable
Travel Competition where local residents will be challenged to only
use sustainable transport on Wednesday and Thursday. Those taking
part can then submit their entries for the competition via the
Council website r via the Council’s Twitter account,
@bedfordtweets. Entries will be placed into a draw on Friday 23rd
September for the following categories - bus, train, motorbike,
bicycle, pedestrian and car share. The winners will be notified by
email and will receive appropriate prizes.
On Tuesday, a “Commuter Challenge” will take place during the
peak morning rush hour. This will see volunteers travelling from a
set location into Bedford town centre by bicycle, motorbike, bus
and hybrid car. The event will help to demonstrate that sustainable
transport is a viable way of travelling during busy periods. (Last
year’s event was won by the pedal cyclist)
Wednesday will see a market stall in the town centre offering
tips and advice on how to be more sustainable in our travel as well
as offering the chance to submit an entry into the sustainable
travel competition.
Finally, on Thursday there will be a free “Dr Bike” service in
the town centre, offering free repairs, safety checks and advice
for all cycle users.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “European Mobility
Week is an excellent opportunity to highlight the options for
sustainable travel across Bedford Borough.
“We provide more than 75km of cycle routes across the borough
and we have also recently announced improvements to bus routes in
the rural and urban areas. This demonstrates our commitment to
offering sustainable transport as a viable option for local
residents throughout the borough.”