Alternative Transport Week, between 16th and 20th May, challenges islanders to leave their cars at home and either walk, cycle, run or take the bus to work. To help spread awareness of the many alternate transport options available and show its support for the initiative, JT is sponsoring four EVie cargo bikes during the week, which will be available for people to try for free.
The telecoms company is also encouraging their own people to use alternative travel for the week, as well as encouraging the whole community to share scenic routes on their commute by using the GPS function on their phone or other wearable technology to plot their route, creating a community social board for the best routes around the Island.
Gill Knights, JT Group General Counsel and Head of Sustainability at JT, said: “The future of transport must be sustainable, and here in Jersey there are plenty of opportunities to use alternative modes that don’t involve jumping in our cars. At JT we’ve made a commitment to become carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions, by 2030 and ensure our business and our products are a force for good. We already encourage and support our people to cycle, by offering a subsidy towards the purchase or servicing of a bicyle and we’ve joined eVie’s pan-island Corporate Partner Programme which provides employees at JT with a discount on their e-bikes and e-vehicles hire. By sponsoring the eVie cargo bikes during this week we hope islanders will see just how much they can achieve, and carry without their car. There are sustainable solutions to climate warming caused by fossil fuel emissions, and together we can make a difference, no matter how small, starting with being mindful about how we travel and walking, running, cycling or getting the bus, wherever possible.”
Kate Huntington, the creator of Alternative Transport Week, added: “The idea behind Alternative Transport Week is to get people thinking about their choices when it comes to how they get about the island. I switched my car for a cargo bike three years ago and use it for all the daily tasks I would have previously used my car for, and I love it. I’d like to thank JT and all the businesses taking part, they’ve all been incredibly supportive.”
Anyone wanting to take up the JT sponsored offer of a free cargo bike for a day during Alternative Transport Week should apply directly to Alternative Transport Week via its facebook page (enter link). Successful applicants will then be provided with a code which they can use directly on the EVie website when booking their cargo bike.
More info on Alternative Transport Week can be found by visiting Alternative Transport Week on Facebook and alternativetransportweekjersey on Instagram.