Another step towards a cycle friendly hospital
From Friday 16 July the cycle path at Newham Hospital will be open to cyclists and pedestrians, marking another step in becoming a cycle friendly hospital.
The cycle path, funded by Newham Borough Council, connects the Greenway, a 7-kilometre long footpath and bike freeway in Newham, directly to the hospital. The Greenway is used by hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians each week and many staff at Newham Hospital use it to travel to work. The addition of a cycle path enables cyclists and pedestrians to travel seamlessly from the Greenway into the hospital, reducing the time spent on busy roads and reducing congestion.
Over the last year, the number of staff choosing to cycle into work has increased, with many avoiding public transport due to the pandemic. It is hoped the new cycle path will be an added convenience to support cyclists and pedestrians who are choosing greener routes to the hospital.
Adam Sewell-Jones, Chief Executive at Newham Hospital, said: “We are thrilled that this new cycle path, which provides direct access to Newham Hospital from the Greenway, is open. The path will improve the journey for our staff who cycle and walk to work and has encouraged more staff to start cycling which is fantastic.
Catriona Rowland, quality improvement manager and wellbeing lead, said: “The roads around Newham Hospital can get very congested, so being able to travel to work via a more peaceful route with little to no congestion or vehicle fumes impacts positively on staff’s commute and work life. And we hope that seeing more Newham Hospital staff cycling will act as a good example to the wider community to stay active and healthy.”
Thinking about cycling into work but afraid to take the plunge?
Here are some top tips to help you get on your saddle.
- Remember to pump your tires and adjust your saddle height
- Always wear a helmet
- Remember to take a lock and lights. You can store your bike in our cycle hub.
- Start small and build up the distance you can cycle
- Find some cycle buddies
There are lots more tips on Cycling UK.
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