STAFF and students from a Suffolk university campus have been urged to get on their bikes after it emerged that just 2% of them cycled-in every day.

Elliot Furniss

STAFF and students from a Suffolk university campus have been urged to get on their bikes after it emerged that just 2% of them cycled-in every day.

The first annual spring event was held at University Campus Suffolk's Waterfront Building near Neptune Quay in Ipswich, aimed at getting more people out and about on two wheels.

Even university chief executive Bob Anderson was getting involved, taking a ride on a special seven-seat circular bike.

He said it was “realistic” to hope the event could persuade more people to cycle to and from campus, keeping healthy in the process, rather than add to the town's congestion problems and carbon emissions.

He said: “We want to attract students here and we don't want to add to the traffic problem in Ipswich.

“Cycling is good for you but it seems to have fallen out of vogue. I suspect the same number of young people learn (to ride a bike) today as there always have been but they seem to give it up.”

Brian Holder, UCS sustainability officer, said students and staff made about 500,000 local journeys each year to and from the campus and more people cycling could make a big difference.

He said: “We all know cycling is healthy and green. Now we need to remind people that it can be fun and safe too.”

UCS staff are working with the local authorities and other large local organisations to try to improve cycling routes and traffic conditions for cyclists.

The university's new building developments are all equipped with hundreds of bike stands, with associated shower and changing facilities.

Yesterday's event also saw cyclists offered free maintenance and road safety sessions from experts and information was available about a range of local bike-related organisations.

Steve Grimwood, events secretary for Ipswich Bicycle Club, said its membership had actually been growing over the last 12 months, with many people looking to emulate the hugely successful Team GB cyclists from last summer's Beijing Olympic Games.

Mr Grimwood, who also runs Elmy Cycles in St Helen Street, Ipswich, said: “The performance at the games has helped with the image of cycling - people see it as a big success story rather than something funny.

“The economy is a big factor too. People are realising what good value for money bikes are and what a great way of keeping fit they are.”