Goodman makes tracks to get occupiers on their bikes at Birmingham Business Park
21 June 2011
Local businesses at Birmingham Business Park, embraced pedal power today in a bid to rethink their everyday journeys, as part of National Bike Week 2011 (18th to 26th June), the UK’s biggest annual promotion of cycling.
The event, organised by leading property group Goodman, which owns, develops and manages most of the Park, encouraged customers based at the Park to ride to work and featured performances by Europe’s leading mountain bike stunt display team M.A.D (Mountain Bike Aerial Display).
Against a backdrop of high quality office buildings three riders, including the current British Mountain Bike Trials Champion and a former Junior World Champion, performed death defying leaps, jumps, hops and balancing skills using their mountain bikes to display mind boggling control, skill, and balance.
Occupiers rediscovered the joys of cycling by visiting a range of information stalls. Solihull Council’s Safe and Sustainable Travel Officer provided information on road safety and cycle to work schemes, while West Midlands Police urged occupiers to think about crime prevention and bike security and offered bike post code stamping. Volunteer-led community group – Cycle Solihull - encouraged customers to explore the local area by bike and opportunities to ride together on cycle routes and British Cycling and Birmingham Cycle Club brought along some ‘Wattbikes’ - an affordable indoor bike created by British Cycling which measured occupiers power output, pedaling technique and heart rates.
Any bikes in need of repair were taken to see ‘Dr Bike’ at a bike surgery provided by local retailer Red Kite Cycles, which also offered occupiers the opportunity to test ride and purchase mountain bikes and the latest hybrids, touring and trekking models, plus the chance to buy trendy cycling gear. Local catering firm O’Brien’s were on hand to supply food and refreshments.
Richard Potter, Property Services Director of UK Business Parks for Goodman, said: “As one of the leading providers of business space we pride ourselves on creating high quality working environments for our customers. At Birmingham Business Park we operate a Green Travel Plan, to encourage our customers to use sustainable modes of transport, whilst implementing measures to reduce car dependence. By teaming up with local partners and encouraging our customers to take part in Bike Week we hope to inspire them to incorporate cycling into their everyday life, whether for work or for leisure. We’re geared up for cycling, with many of our customers’ buildings incorporating secure cycle parking and shower facilities, so they can get fit while reducing their carbon footprint.”
Lorna Crompton, from Mori Seiki said: “It’s been great to find out about road safety and cycle routes around Birmingham and how we can swap the car for the bike. Not only has it been educational, it provided a good opportunity to meet other occupiers on the Park.”
Birmingham Business Park is the most established out-of-town office park in the heart of the Midlands, boasting unrivalled transport connectivity and an impressive range of over 100 companies, including Orange, Beiersdorf, Hewlett Packard and Fujitsu.
Birmingham Business Park is one of 26 parks that Goodman owns, develops and manages nationally.