Get on your bike with George Wimpey
3 August 2007
George Wimpey North East is again setting industry trends. The introduction of the simple Cycle at Staiths Initiative, launched yesterday by designer Wayne Hemingway, is another positive result of George Wimpey working with others including the Hemingways, Gateshead Council, Sustrans and One North East.
It is also a fantastic additional benefit for Staiths South Bank residents making cycling free and easy as well as opening up access to the National Cycling Network.
Not only has George Wimpey North East provided ten special bikes, men’s, women’s and children’s at Staiths South Bank for residents’ use but households are also being offered £57.50 Halfords vouchers to go towards buying a bike or cycling accessories.
Wayne Hemingway launched the venture by leading a cycle ride along the Quayside he was joined by Councillor Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council and a host of Staith South Bank residents. Halfords staff and Sustrans stewards were also on hand to help cyclists on their way, offer encouragement and answer questions.
All participants returned refreshed and enlightened able to take in the dramatic Dunston Staiths backdrop and aspirational development. To inspire cycling rides throughout the region all participants also received free copies of the Cycle North East England guide.
The Cycle at Staiths Initiative is loosely based on the City Bike Program “Bycyklen” in Copenhagen but on a much smaller scale. The unmistakable bikes offer an efficient, fast and non polluting means of transportation throughout NewcastleGateshead and the North of England - a great alternative to cars, taxis, buses and Metros.
In some parts of Europe around a quarter of journeys are made by bike, one out of three Copenhageners cycle to work, it is hoped that schemes like this one will encourage more people in the North East and beyond to make cycling part of their lives.
Recently there has been a sustained effort to improve cycling conditions in the North East; the tracks are largely wide with even surfaces and are now quiet and safe places which have in many places benefited from new lighting making them even more enjoyable and relaxing. In fact, the improvement to the cycle network has seen a rise in the amount of cycling in Gateshead by 12% in the 5 years leading up to 2006 and by a further 5% during 2006.
Cycling is the quickest route from Staiths South Bank to the Quayside and to Newcastle and Gateshead centres and has significant and obvious health benefits. It is also an intimate way to experience the region and the changeable weather keeps the urban dweller in touch with the seasons. The National Cycling Network takes cyclists past many exciting and unusual landmarks not least the impressive 526 meter long Dunston Staiths built in 1890 and used for coal loading until 1980.
Cycling is an environmentally desirable and effective means of transport and recreation. It is cost effective as cyclists do not pay any road tax or indeed anything for their transport apart from the initial outlay and a bit for servicing and parts. Residents at Staiths South Bank can access the bikes for free and be assured that they have been adequately maintained thanks to Halfords Bike Care Plan cover too, again at no cost.
Wayne Hemingway, master planner and patron of Sustrans who launched Cycle at Staiths said:
"We hope that the Cycle at Staiths scheme will be very successful and well used by residents. From the start of the development a lot of thought has been given to various ways to reduce the impact of cars and increase use of more sustainable methods of transport. Cycling is the most direct route to NewcastleGateshead but also a fantastic way to explore the local area and beyond and keep fit too. Many of the things we have introduced here at Staiths South Bank are firsts for the region and for volume house builders and we hope to show that by working in partnership many great ideas like this one can become reality."
Joan Peart, George Wimpey North East Sales and Marketing Director said:
“Staiths South Bank is a stylish, distinct development with many unique qualities and residents facilities. Most of the homeowners at Staiths South Bank are proud to live somewhere different, forward thinking and environmentally aware and the bikes initiative and voucher scheme supports this. It gives the Staiths South Bank community a chance to make the most of the fantastic location with an ideal way to avoid the alternative congested route to NewcastleGateshead by bus or car and to explore the region in a new way. We hope that the vouchers and bikes will be well used and that this trial will prove successful and sustainable.”
Councilor John McElroy, Gateshead Council's Cabinet spokesman for Transport, said: "Staiths South Bank is very much a product of the superb partnership between George Wimpey and Gateshead Council, in which we all agreed on the basic concept for the site - that it should be designed on the Home Zone principle, with the motor car taking second place to other more sustainable modes of transport.
"'Cycle at Staiths is the perfect addition to the Home Zone principle and the area's cycle routes, which were created by ourselves and our partners at Sustrans, will provide the ideal network over which Cycle at Staiths can operate successfully.
"This is the first communal bike scheme to be launched on Tyneside, but I hope not the last. George Wimpey North East should be congratulated on their foresight."
