Accord staff cut 'car miles' for National Bike Week

Published by Jon Land for Accord Housing Group in Housing

Staff at Accord Housing Association have gone green and cut their ‘car miles’ by a staggering 2,800 – the equivalent of driving to Helsinki and back!

Earlier this year Accord, which has main offices in West Bromwich, Darlaston and Birmingham, launched a campaign to become the ‘Greenest Housing Association in the country’.

And since just May staff have saved a total of 2,800 miles by leaving their cars at home and sharing lifts, using public transport, cycling, walking and working from home.

This week they turned to two wheels rather than four as part of National Bike Week.

Accord employee Boris Worrall, who cycles from his home in Walsall to work in West Bromwich once a week, said: “I had no idea how beautiful the green space between Walsall and West Bromwich was.

“In the whole journey I only go on about 500 yards of road. It’s a fantastic way to start the day and every time I cycle I notice something different about the journey. It certainly beats being stuck on the motorway!

Paul Di Mambro, Head of Environment and Sustainability at Accord, said: “Cycling to and from work is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint as well as stay fit and healthy.

“Many of our staff already cycle to work but we hope by taking part in Bike Week even more will be inspired to swap petrol power for pedal power.”

Accord is committed to reducing waste, saving energy and cutting carbon and as part of its ‘green’ campaign, the Association has:

Launched a Swap Shop where staff can recycle books, films and other goods by exchanging them.

Piloted bio-degradable cleaning products at a number of care schemes.

Gained the internationally recognised ISO14001 eco-mark.