Norwich Airport, part of leading UK regional airport operator Regional & City Airports (RCA), is using National Cycle to Work Day (August 3) to celebrate the success of two initiatives aimed at encouraging more staff and customers to travel to the airport by bike.
The airport has recently become part of the Beryl network following the opening of a new bay in the main airport car park by the app-based shared sustainable transport experts.
And the airport’s own Cycle to Work scheme is continuing to grow, with 10 per cent of staff at the airport now using their bikes to commute daily to and from work.
Richard Pace, Managing Director of Norwich Airport, said: “A commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector is a key consideration in all aspects of Norwich Airport’s operations, from the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) announced earlier this year to encouraging sustainable travel to and from the airport.
“We are delighted to welcome Beryl to the airport as part of their network of sites in Norwich and hope that both staff and customers will benefit from the opportunity to use their shared bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
“At the same time, we are pleased with the take-up of our own Cycle to Work initiative, which encourages staff to enjoy the environmental and health benefits of biking to work, including through the opportunity to save money buying bikes and equipment as part of the Government’s Cycle2Work scheme.”
Since the scheme was first launched in partnership with Norfolk County Council in March 2020, Beryl’s bike, e-bike and e-scooter share scheme has clocked up well over a million journeys across more than three million kilometres in Norwich.
Feedback from users shows that, on average, nearly a quarter (23.6%) of those journeys have replaced private road transport journeys – including driving a car/van, being a passenger in a car/van, using a taxi or riding a motorbike or moped.
According to industry calculations, this equates to over 156 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions saved; the equivalent of around 10,000 litres of petrol or more than 12 airline flights around the World.
Beryl’s Norwich Scheme Lead, Danny Quinton, said: “It’s great that a major regional employer such as Norwich Airport is embracing sustainable travel culture and playing their part in cutting traffic congestion and carbon emissions while improving air quality and public health.
“Our vehicles are not only fun, accessible and easy to use, they’re also cost-effective compared to private vehicle ownership, removing the costs associated with petrol, parking, tax, insurance, MOT, maintenance and storage.
“If you’re making your way to the airport either as an employee or as a customer, then why not give Beryl a go this summer.”
