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‘Greening Tyres’ – UEL cycling scheme celebrated at House of Commons launch of new national publication

Monday 28 January 2008

The University of East London's (UEL) pioneering bike-rental scheme has been nationally celebrated in a new report showcasing significant work carried out by universities in their contribution to the environmental agenda.

In 2007, UEL became the first university in the UK to offer a free access, pay-as-you-go cycling scheme for staff, students and local residents, with all journeys of less than half an hour free of charge.

The innovative and successful system has now been included in ‘Greening Spires’, a Universities UK report examining universities' environmental research, the sustainability of campuses, and the growth in environment-related courses.

The report was officially launched at the House of Commons on Wednesday 23 January with a speech from John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities, and Skills.

Professor Susan Price, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, attended the launch. Susan said: "We are delighted to have been included in this new report, which demonstrates how UEL and other universities across the UK are putting research into practice by greening campuses and developing sustainability projects.

"At the University of East London, we are determined to play our full role in tackling the challenge of climate change. As well as our unique cycling scheme, we have also recently joined phase three of the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management programme, enabling us to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy costs."

UEL works in tandem with pioneering bike-rental company OYBike to offer the cycling scheme. Sixteen green and yellow OY bikes are now in place in self-service docking stations at UEL’s Docklands and Stratford campuses, Stratford Station and the Gallions Reach Retail Park.

After registering online at www.oybike.com, cyclists can hire any of the bikes at a low hourly rate simply by calling a freefone number at the beginning and end of their journeys.

UEL’s Docklands campus was short-listed for Building of the Year 2001 for its energy efficient design. The new Student Village at Docklands is also specially designed to reduce heat and water wastage, while the Children’s Garden, opened on campus in 2006, was built entirely from recycled prefabricated units and features sustainably-sourced larch cladding.

Plans are now in place to install photovoltaic cells on the roof of the Knowledge Dock Centre, opened in February 2007 by Her Majesty The Queen. The Centre is home to UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute, which investigates and develops the application of innovative eco-efficient technologies.

Darryl Newport, Director of the Institute, said: “As an educational institution at the heart of an area undergoing massive and rapid regeneration, UEL has a responsibility to show initiative and leadership in the struggle against global warming. We have now developed a strategy and a set of practical actions that can help us become even more environmentally friendly.”

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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