London Borough of Sutton aims to get 20,000 more people cycling

Sutton Council is today launching a new initiative which it is hoped will motivate 20,000 residents of the London borough to take up cycling, and as a sweetener each household in the Wallington and Hackbridge areas will receive vouchers worth £100 to use on cycling-related products and services.

The campaign is focusing on those specific parts of the borough as part of a drive to promote sustainable transport there. Both host parts of the National Cycle Network, as well as key routes to workplaces in Croydon and Sutton.

Travel advisors from the council are delivering leaflets door-to-door which include six tear-off vouchers that can be used for discounts on bicycles and accessories at three local bike dealers, half price bike service, and free cycle training and a free smart water kit.

Councillor Colin Hall, Executive Member for Environment on Sutton Council said: "Cycling is a hobby which I encourage everyone to take up; it helps the environment, gets people fit and reduces congestion around the borough.

"This is a great initiative which will offer residents plenty of incentives to get on their bike, particularly since Wallington and Hackbridge are blessed with stacks of good cycle lanes which people can really make good use of."

The Spring into Action campaign gets its official launch today between 11am and 3pm outside the Old Town Hall in Wallington, where there will be a roadshow Travel Advisors who will be handing out vouchers, cycle maps and guides, plus a free Doctor Bike service.
If you live in the borough, but not in Wallington or Hackbridge, you can still obtain a leaflet by emailing advice [at] smartertravelsutton.org.

Previous initiatives under the Smarter Travel Sutton umbrella have so far helped deliver a 75% increase in cycling in the borough, which the council says is ahead of gains seen elsewhere in Outer London, and further details are available on a dedicated website.