Witney News - Bike vs Car: green travel challenge

Bike vs Car: green travel challenge

A Witney cycling delivery service is challenging the District Council's post van to see who can complete the return journey from the Council offices on the New Yatt Road to the Post Office on the High Street first. The challenge takes place on Monday 19th June at 12 noon and is the launch event for the Council's Green Travel week.

“The week is part of the Council's green travel plan which encourages staff, councillors and anyone who visits our offices to leave their cars at home and use a greener and healthier form of transport”, says Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for the Environment. “It will be interesting to see who completes the
journey through the Witney traffic first.”

Stephen Wilkinson who runs the cycling delivery service and is challenging the post van said, “Cycling around Witney saves me a lot of 'fuel' money. I feel a lot fitter and healthier too.”

The Council's green travel plan has been created in response to the increasing concerns about air pollution, traffic congestion and health and social issues. Already car sharing and bicycle loan schemes have been introduced. The green travel week hopes to continue the shift towards more sustainable ways of travelling,
including walking, cycling and using public transport.

Several events are being organised over the week and local residents are invited to join some of these. For example on Wednesday 21st June there is the chance to learn about the history of Witney on a conservation walk. The walk starts at 12 noon from outside the Council offices on the New Yatt Road and will last approximately one hour.

On Thursday 22nd June there is a one hour bike ride leaving the Council offices on the New Yatt Road at
1pm. It will be a sociable, gentle ride to the countryside, led by a qualified instructor.

A working example of greener travel can be seen at the Woolgate car park on Friday 23rd June, between 2 and 3 pm when the Wild Waste Show bus comes to town. The bus is unusual as it runs on sunflower oil.

For further information, please contact: Olly Scholefield, Health and Environmental Policy Officer on 01993
861351 or email [email protected].