Journalists could use electric bicycles rather than cars to go out on stories as part of a new trial by a regional publisher.
Archant has launched a trial scheme with two Smarta electric bikes at its head office in Norwich, where the Norwich Evening News and Eastern Daily Press are based.
Under the project, the bikes are available to use by staff going on journeys in the city to help bring down the company’s carbon footprint.
The initiative was launched as part of National Bike to Work Week and if successful, it will be rolled out to other Archant offices across the country.
Archant chief executive Adrian Jeakings tests out the Smarta electric bikes with staff at head office in Norwich.
Archant operations director Nick Schiller, who pioneered the initiative, said: “I enjoyed testing the electric bikes so much that I bought one for myself which I now use to get to work whenever possible.
“Staff who have either taken part in a taster session or who have completed a fuller familiarisation course have all said how much they enjoy riding the bikes.
“We have already had staff from other offices making a pitch to have one so I think electric bikes will be a key part of our longer term transport plans to help lower our carbon footprint and eliminate local pollution.”
The electric bike scheme is part of Archant’s 20 4 12 sustainability campaign, which was launched on 20 April this year and sees 20 actions in four key areas of energy, water, office paper and making every business mile count.
Archant has also made changes to its fleet cars and rewards drivers financially if they choose a smaller, greener vehicle.
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They won’t enjoy it when it’s raining. Utter nonsense
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It must be lovely on a sunny day but in the depth of winter in the biting cold and driving rain, err, no!
I still think it’s a good idea to have the bikes as an option though.
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The Oxford Mail has always had a fleet of push bikes, tough ‘fleet’ is maybe too grand a word. Made for fine slapstick when trying to beat a hasty retreat from Crown Court/ an unwelcomed death knock.
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Yeah great. Now tell the sales reps to hand back their cars and get on their bikes too.
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Utterly comedic, Archant has recently reinvented itself as the tree hugger’s publisher… a useful distraction to its’ recent ‘restructuring.’
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