Avalon Sciences Ltd took part in Cycle to Work Day and Britain’s Biggest Bike Breakfast!

Thursday 4th September 2014

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Avalon Sciences Ltd  is joining organisers of Cycle to Work Day, Cyclescheme, and encouraging ASL employees to pledge to cycle to work on Thursday September 4th 2014.

Last year’s event saw tens of thousands of cyclists taking part, resulting in some pretty impressive statistics. Over a quarter of a million miles were pledged, nearly 7,000kg of CO2 were offset and over 12 million calories were burnt – a spectacular result!

This year, Cycle to Work Day is set to be even bigger and better than ever which is why Avalon Sciences are on board and doing their bit for the campaign by offering their staff a free ‘bike breakfast’ for those that cycle into work on the day.

Roger Marriage, Managing Director at Avalon Sciences Ltd says “Many employees have signed up to the government Cyclescheme so it seemed fitting that we should inspire them to take part in this event. In addition to the breakfast Avalon Sciences is proud to be donating £1 to the Somerset Rural Youth Project for every mile cycled by our employees both to and from work this Thursday.

In total 24 Cyclists netting 463 miles (£463).

ASL’s top contributor was Aidan Woollaston, Electronic Support Engineer who personally clocked 70 miles!

“Somerset Rural Youth Project is delighted to have partnered with Avalon Sciences Ltd as the charity beneficiary for their participation in National Cycle to Work Day. We are hugely grateful for their support; all funds raised will go towards our invaluable work with young people in Somerset through our Community and Employability work – promoting their personal, social and economic development” added Nik Harwood, CEO of the youth project.

Britain’s Biggest Bike Breakfast is not just about rewarding those that cycle into work, there is also a benefit to not starting the day on an empty stomach, as British Cycling’s Coaching and Education Manager, Vinny Webb, explains:

“A post-ride bite to eat, such as a bowl of porridge, is an important way to start the day and helps your body to refuel. That re-energised feeling you’ll get from cycling to work will help you to feel set for a day at work, not least because you’ll then be looking forward to a ride home that evening. People who ride to work make better employees, because they statistically take fewer days off sick per year – even more reason to encourage cycling.”

For more information on how to get involved with Cycle to Work Day, please visit www.cycletoworkday.org

For further press enquiries at Avalon Sciences Ltd please contact sales@avalonsciences.com or Telephone: +44 () 01458 270000

About Cycle to Work Day:

Supported by British Cycling, Sustrans, Bicycle Association, Business in the Community and championed by Dame Sarah Storey, Cycle to Work Day aims to highlight the benefits of cycling as a means of transport and encourage more people to cycle, more often.

Cyclescheme’s long-term aim is to get 1-million people commuting to work by bike by the next census in 2021 (current cycling figures sit at 760,000 as of 2011).

Highlights from Cycle to Work Day 2013

• Over 20,000 people took part on the day
• 256,932 miles were pledged
• 6,821.17kg of CO2 were offset
• 12,071,397 calories were burnt
• Nearly 300 bike shops offered Free Bike Health Checks

How Cyclescheme works:

Cyclescheme.co.uk offers between 25-42% off through tax breaks on a range of bikes, gear, clothing and accessories from over 2000 independent stores. With Cyclescheme you pay nothing upfront and the costs are deducted from your salary over a year so you won’t even notice the payments. Visit www.cyclescheme.co.uk or ask your employer for details. For further information on Cycle to Work day, visit https://cycletoworkday.org/.
The benefits of cycling to work- The average cyclist saves £285 a month on travel, while with Cyclescheme you save between 25%-42% on equipment [Discover Cycling to Work calculator, based on average commute by car] – 69% of cyclists say they have become healthier, 51% lost weight and 54% said their mental wellbeing improved [CS survey 2013] – 99% of cyclists would recommend it to others [CS survey 2013] – Half of 45% of members went from ‘novice or occasional’ to ‘enthusiastic’ cyclists after joining [CS survey 2013] – There’s nothing wrong with fair-weather – the majority of cyclists only commute three times a week [CS survey 2013]