‘Cycle to Work’ scheme is a success

A TOTAL of 55 councillors and employees from Ballymoney Borough Council have taken advantage of a government supported programme to purchase bicycles for travelling to and from places of work.

The ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme has been running for three years and according to a report prepared by the council, the scheme has been more successful in Ballymoney than in some larger councils in Northern Ireland.

It is proposed to open the scheme again this year from May (to avail of the more clement weather) through to the end of October 2013 (to accommodate those on current contracts) as a final opportunity to enable additional Councillors and staff to purchase bicycles and accessories.

Outdoor Life, Market Street, Ballymoney, have been the suppliers of the bikes and the council agreed to retain them as their partner in the scheme, ensuring the council continues to support local enterprise.

The council agreed to promote the scheme throughout the organisation, encouraging staff and elected members to purchase and subsequently use bicycles for work related journeys on the basis of the above proposal.

It was further decided that the scheme be operated in conjunction with Outdoor Life.

Councillor Ian Stevenson, the Head of Environmental Services advised this would be the final ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme due to the reorganisation of local Government.