Health Care Republic.com: Hospital cyclists praised for their efforts to reduce the carbon footprint

Hospital staff who took part in the Bike2Work Challenge designed to help the environment have been praised for their efforts. Staff from Colchester General Hospital took part in the event, held last month, which was sponsored by Essex County Council. Ben Davis and John Bradley of the Trauma and Orthopaedic Team at Colchester General Hospital, who won the event, clocked up an impressive 148 miles between them.

Mr Davis, a specialist registrar, cycled 116 miles over two return trips from his home in Woolpit in Suffolk. The 58-mile round trip takes him 1.5 hours each way. He said: “Although cycling to work takes longer, I prefer it as I do not like driving or parking and it is an ideal way of keeping fit. “I also enjoy using routes I cannot take in the car and seeing and noticing so much more about the environment around me. It also saves me £6 a day in petrol.”

His colleage, Jon Bradley, a consultant, cycles a 16-mile round trip from his home in Peldon on a regular basis. During the challenge he chalked up 32 miles. Mr Davis added: “It is a shame more people do not ride to work, it can actually be quicker during peak times. Cycling to work takes a bit more organisation, but that is compensated by the pleasure and fitness I get from doing it.” A recent survey shows that 70% of staff at Colchester General Hospital live within three miles, quite a reasonable cycling distance.

Emily Harrup, Colchester 2020 Travelplan Coodinator, said: “Everyone knows that cycling is good for you, it improves fitness, stamina, co-ordination and psychological wellbeing, so I would encourage more people from the hospital to cycle to work. “Leaving your car at the home is also beneficial to the environment and I would like to thank all those from the hospital who took part in the event.” Denise French Capital Projects Manager at Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust, who is responsible for the Trust Travelplan, presented a prize of several boxes of chocolates to Ben Davis.

She said: “I was delighted to award the prize to Ben, his effort really was remarkable. I am so glad so many members of staff took part in the challenge as cycling is a great way of keeping fit and helps to protect the environment. For the past 12 years I have cycled to work every day, so I do practice what I preach.” Others who took part in the event include: Chris McCarthy, Will Ferrier, Pat Hornsby and Brenda Keeble, from the Radiography and X-Ray department, who cycled 120 miles between them. Sarah Matthews, Jet Grommel and Kelly Green, from the Microbiology Unit, who cycled 68 miles between them. Denise French and David Hewitt, from Facilities, Planning and Development, who cycled 47 miles between them.