2020 Travel Survey Results

By naomiwadsworthJul 14, 20200 Comments
The Sustainability Services team would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in this years’ travel survey. The survey was completed in January 2020, before the COVID-19 outbreak took hold in the UK.  The responses have provided some great feedback, which will help to shape the proposed travel action plans for the years ahead. A brief summary of the key findings is provided in this blog. You can find the full results of the travel survey here. How do staff and students travel to University? The overall (combined staff and student) modal split for commutes to the…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Easit discount scheme terminated by GWR

By lukecantellowJan 22, 20200 Comments
Disappointing news from Great Western Railway (GWR) who has announced that they will no longer be offering 15% rail discounts to EasitNETWORK members for travel into Reading.   The company has agreed that it will honour discounts on any tickets and season tickets bought before 31 March 2020 by holders of a valid Easit card.  The University will remain a member of Easit, which will enable users who have bought a ticket or season ticket before that date to continue to use them until they expire.   We are extremely disappointed by this move and have written to GWR’s Managing…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Saving energy, saving the planet!

By danfernbankSep 30, 20190 Comments
If you’re living in private rented accommodation this year, you may well find yourself paying for gas, electricity and water bills for the first time. This can eat into your finances, so here are some tips to keep your costs down:   Saving energy Landlords are only legally allowed to rent out buildings which achieve at least an ‘E’ rating Energy Performance Certificate (A being most efficient, G being least efficient). Ask your landlord for a copy of the EPC to check they are complying. Switch off! The easiest and most obvious way to save energy is by not leaving…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Sustainable university living

By danfernbankSep 19, 20190 Comments
I’ve escaped from my desk to come and sit in Park Eat café/bar to write this article. Immediately I arrive, I’m confronted with an environmental dilemma. I’ve brought my Sustain It mug (of course!) for a cup of tea, but realise I can’t get any milk out of the machine because my cup isn’t chipped. The catering staff offer to put some milk in a paper cup. I insist I don’t want a paper cup and they insist it’s no bother. How should I respond? Back down politely and take the cup, or stick to my green guns and insist…
Behaviour Change, Energy and Water, Travel and Transport, Waste and Recycling, , ,
Read More

Travel in May

By sustainabilityservicesMay 13, 20190 Comments
Looking to travel more sustainably this month? This is what you have got to look forward to: On Your Bike Day We held our first bike event this term with Dr Bike, Reading Bike Kitchen and UniCycle. We sold 10 second-hand bikes and over 40 staff and students visit Dr Bike for a free Bike check.Our next scheduled Dr Bike is the 22nd May - come along and get your free bike check!   Free Cycle Skills Sessions every Wednesday! Whatever level of cyclist you are, we have cycle courses to improve your cycling 2-3pm "Back on Bikes" for those needing…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Do you really need a car?

By sustainabilityservicesApr 23, 20190 Comments
The University is committed to increasing the uptake of more sustainable travel methods to and from campus. There are many great reasons for you to not bring a car, including all the great travel offers. As a University of Reading staff or student, you don’t need a car in Reading because: Bus routes 21/21a operate every 7 mins and serves both Whiteknights and London Road campuses Cycle hire and lessons. Improve your confidence and skills at free weekly cycle skills sessions. Cycle maintenance tools (including pumps) are available from the Chaplaincy and Security from Whiteknights campus. Excellent trains, including season…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Creating skilled cyclists

By karenstanbridgeJan 18, 20190 Comments
Creating skilled cyclists The 2018-19 academic year has seen a huge boost in participation in our programme of cycle skills sessions and events. These are aimed at helping University cyclists keep themselves and other safe while cycling on and off campus. Over 200 participant-sessions have been run since August 2018, with over 70 individuals now trained in safe road cycle skills. Some of these were complete beginners or hadn’t been on a bike since childhood and were offered support including use of loan bike and helmets along with additional sessions if needed to get skills and confidence up to cycling…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Going green in 2019

By danfernbankJan 02, 20190 Comments
As 2019 begins, we take a look at our plans for delivering environmental sustainability at the University this coming year. Where we are 2018 was our most successful year yet sustainability-wise, with major reductions in waste production and water consumption and increases in sustainable travel levels. For an interactive look back, view our Annual Sustainability Report. Where we’re going Continuous improvement is a key part of strong environmental management, and 2019 promises to be no exception. Energy hack We are developing plans for our first ever ‘Energy Hack’, building on the success of previous Blackout events to reduce energy consumption in…
Energy and Water, Policy, Travel and Transport, Waste and Recycling
Read More

A kitchen for bicycles?

By karenstanbridgeDec 20, 20180 Comments
A kitchen for bicycles? Have you ever been passing by Palmer building on and seen people tinkering around with bikes / workstands and tools ?? Or had a puncture / faulty brakes and left your bike languishing in the shed as no time / money to take it to a Cycle shop??!? Come and take part in one of the RBK Pop ups! Taking place as part of the overall University Cycle Safety programme (which aims to support all aspects of cycling) these FREE bike maintenance sessions are held fortnightly usually on Weds 4-7pm Run by experienced bike mechanics and…
Travel and Transport
Read More

Cycle Light Up 2018

By karenstanbridgeDec 03, 20180 Comments
You may have seen us dotted around campus some evenings over the last few weeks (since the clocks changed) lit up like Christmas Trees. No we haven't been celebrating Christmas early, rather we've been out with a more serious message of encouraging cyclists to use lights! It's really important that cyclists use lights whether on or off campus. On the shared paths on campus, pedestrians and other cyclists can't see you without lights, so you're risking hitting them, or at least making everyone's journey uncomfortable with near misses. For your own safety when cycling on roads so that drivers can…
Travel and Transport
Read More