Yesterday – Clean Air Day – Edinburgh Cycle Hire announced that their customers have cycled a staggering 1,500,000km, pedalling around the Earth nearly 38 times!
A recent study undertaken by scientists at Oxford University found that those who switch just one trip per day from car-driving to cycling reduced their carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes over a year.
In 2020 Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme totalled 234,470 trips, almost double from the previous year. In one day alone 1,438 people used the scheme. So far in 2021 nearly 60,000 trips have been made with the summer period expected to busy again with locals using the scheme as part of their staycation.
With access to bikes being one of the biggest challenges to cycling, the scheme is planning to upgrade its hire points later this year, as well as reviewing the network to meet the growing customer demand.
The new infrastructure is already being used within the Transport for West Midlands scheme and is a hit with customers. This work is supported with funding from Sustrans and the City of Edinburgh Council.
George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh said: “The Edinburgh scheme is key to supporting our city’s sustainability and active travel plans, cutting emissions and congestion.
“Providing access to bikes in an easy to use, affordable and safe way will encourage people to leave the car at home and take shorter journeys by bike.”
Alex MacDonald, General Manager of the scheme said: “We’re gearing up for another busy summer and we’ll have more bikes available across the city.
“Customers can explore on our e-bikes and pedal bikes by simply downloading the app and finding their nearest hire point.”
John Lauder, Deputy CEO Sustrans and National Director, Sustrans Scotland said: “Studies have found that switching from the car to cycling, even just for one day a week can make a real difference to reducing personal carbon emissions from transport.
“Cycle hire schemes, like Edinburgh’s makes cycling more visible, and more normal. Cycle hires remove the first barrier to making that decision to cycle, and help people understand how convenient and easy cycling is. It’s the first small step to changing habits that can make a huge difference.”
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