Tristar staff get on their bikes

Staff at Tristar Homes in Stockton are being urged to be more environmentally friendly and bike to work.

The social housing group has received four bikes for employees from the sustainable transport charity Sustrans and Stockton Borough Council, in an attempt to persuade staff to swap the car for cycling during their daily commute.

The idea came about following a conversation between Matthew Trueman from Tristar Homes and Paul Morrison from Sustrans. Trueman said: “I thought the idea was fantastic and the pool bikes provide a great platform to encourage staff to travel to work in an alternative and more environmentally friendly way. It will also encourage staff to ride between offices or out on the estates instead of using their cars. The introduction of the bikes will not only help reduce individual carbon emissions and the organisation’s carbon footprint but it will promote a healthier lifestyle for all employees.”

Staff are also able to borrow the bikes during weekends and Tristar has a long term plan to introduce more bikes throughout the organisation in connection with Stockton Active Travel.

The initiative is funded by the Big Lottery with part funding from Stockton Borough Council and NHS Stockton on Tees. The Stockton Active Travel project targets employees of Stockton businesses and surrounding deprived communities to promote active travel as part of everyday journeys. Initiatives also aim to improve physical and mental well-being amongst participants and decrease traffic congestion.