Issued by City of York Council
A York family have won a £50 voucher to spend at Fulford Cycles after completing their i-Travel York challenge.
Thanks to Fulford Cycles, the Hoult family will be able to spend their £50 voucher on a wide range of bikes and accessories at Fulford cycles. The travel challenge, which was completed by Helen, Mark and their daughter Catherine was to go on a family bike ride. They cycled from Acomb to the Balloon Tree Farm shop near Gate Helmsley, which is no mean feat at a 20 mile round trip.
Following the launch of the i-Travel York initiative for residents in May, hundreds of residents have signed up to benefit from free travel advice during the most extensive door-to-door exercise ever carried out by the council.
Over 12,000 homes in the north of York could take part in the travel challenge, and out of the 6,000 households already contacted more than 2,200 participants are already benefiting from the scheme.
Advisers have been on hand to provide tailored travel advice in the Rawcliffe and Clifton wards, and at events citywide, to encourage residents to consider using more sustainable and active modes of transport.
The advisers are providing information such as bus and cycle maps, and offering personal ‘challenges’ for individuals to try out a new form of sustainable transport.
To help them on their way, participants receive incentives such as a pedometer, a free AllYork bus taster ticket worth £20, discounted cycle training or a free bike health check.
Supported by the council’s four-year i-Travel York initiative, made possible by £4.6 million of government funding which the council successfully bid for in 2011, the campaign specifically targets the northern quadrant of the city where there are high numbers of short car trips to employment and retail destinations.
Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “Over 2,200 residents, like the Hoult family, are now benefiting from this initiative and trying out new travel options and 90 per cent of those are now taking part in or have completed a travel challenge to try out a new way of travelling for their everyday journeys.
“As part of our i-Travel York programme, we are aiming to increase levels of cycling by 20 per cent and walking by 10 per cent by 2016. We are also working towards increasing bus usage by 18 per cent by 2015.”
Richard Schumacher, owner of Fulford Cycles, said: “Fulford Cycles Limited is extremely proud to be a part of the potentially life changing and fun pastime and sport that is cycling.
“And with all that is now happening directly within the York area from events, to festivals and races, we are very happy to be part of it all and also to have donated a substantial prize for the i-Travel competition draw.”
The exercise will roll-out to other wards including Huntington, Haxby, Earswick and New Earswick in 2014. However, everyone is invited to attend local community events taking place across the city this year and all residents can take advantage of i-Travel York’s free travel advice service available online or by phone.
For more information on taking up a travel challenge, or to book a free personal travel consultation, contact the i-Travel York team by email phone 01904 636359, follow @itravelyork on Twitter, like at the Facebook page or visit the i-Travel website.
Residents can also sign up to MyTravelYork on the website to receive information updates, promotional offers and the latest news on their travel options.
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