After COP26 summit and the UK Government pledge to invest in cycling and walking infrastructure. The EBIKE Cafe heralds the ambitious target.
The Net Zero Strategy announced by the government recently commits £2 billion investment in active travel infrastructure to enable half of journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.
Owners Peter Claxton and Josephine Parker have been actively championing an active lifestyle, healthier eating and positive mental wellbeing through their venture EBIKE Cafe@Deheers, located alongside the Old Weymouth Harbourside.
They have been delighted to see so many people take to their bikes during this last year but urge residents to continue the trend in light of the climate crisis.
Peter says.”The government have set out ambitious targets for active travel in their Net Zero Strategy and whilst we are already fortunate to have some good cycle routes connecting our towns, more will be needed to enable half of our journeys to be undertaken by bikes by 2030. We are in no doubt about the benefits of swapping 4 wheeled transport for 2 wheels and Ebikes are a valuable tool to replace car journeys with an accessible and great way to bridge the distance of your commute”.
Last year, the pandemic drove a record-breaking 11% fall in greenhouse gas emissions through reduced mobility and oil use (source: carbonbrief). But as the economy recovers, this is set to rebound. Reducing emissions from transport is just one way we can help alleviate the climate crisis and research supports this.
According to a recent study by Oxford Scientists published in the journal of Global Environmental Change, switching just one car trip a day to ebiking or cycling can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. A significant contribution that will also offer health benefits.
Peter Claxton agrees, “switching from car to active travel is one thing you can do to make a real difference. We all have a responsibility to tackle the climate crisis and make real changes now”. He continues. “here in Dorset, each person creates an average of 4.4 tonnes of CO2 per year (source: ONS). The research supports a saving of 0.5 tonnes of CO2 by swapping just one journey a day to eBiking or cycle. The study went on to show that those who already cycle have 84% lower CO2 emissions from all daily travel than non-cyclists”.