Staff at Cobalt could save £1m by cycling to work

More than half of the 6,500 staff at Cobalt live within five miles of the business park and could save £400 each year by cycling to work instead of bringing their car, according to a travel expert.

Highbridge, developers of Cobalt business park in North Tyneside has set up a Bicycle User Group (BUG) in a bid to encourage staff to take advantage of the cycling facilities at Cobalt.

BUG is the latest in a line of travel initiatives put in place at Cobalt to improve the transport offering at the park.  

Staff are being encouraged to attend meetings with Lynn Cramman, Cobalt’s on-site travel co-ordinator, to discuss cycle options to the park and make suggestions for future improvements.  Staff can take advantage of on-site pool bikes to trial new routes home and to get some lunchtime exercise.

Lynn said: “The first BUG meeting was a huge success, staff really showed an interest in cycling to work and made some very useful suggestions.  We are working hard at Cobalt to ensure staff have the best transport options possible."

“Cycling is a fantastic way for staff to cut travel costs, improve their health and help protect the environment.  Not only will staff cut out the stress of sitting in traffic jams it is often quicker to make local journeys by bicycle than jumping in the car.”

Travel expert Peter Whitehead, associate director, Glanville Consultants, said: "Using the car for short distance trips doesn't make any sense. The engine never warms up fully and so fuel consumption is dreadful, the car emits more pollution and wears out quicker.  

“Highbridge is showing real leadership in promoting environmentally friendly travel.  Staff at Cobalt are encouraged to consider more efficient, cost effective means of travelling to work and by taking advantage of the cycling options at Cobalt staff could save more than £400 each year. On top of that, thanks to a simple Government tax free bicycle buying scheme, staff can also make huge savings, up to 40 per cent, on the cost of the bike!"

Councillor Dave McGarr, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport said: “The council’s work to bring the old Waggonways back into use as a green travel and leisure corridor means there is an ideal route to many surrounding areas such as North Shields, Killingworth and Burradon and we are certainly keen to encourage people to use bikes rather than their cars.

“It’s good for North Tyneside’s environment and it’s also good for health. Highbridge’s approach shows what can be done.”