Published on 16, September, 2024
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With 30% of the UK’s carbon emissions coming from transport, the need to travel sustainably has never been more important, especially during TravelWise Week.
TravelWise week takes place during 16th-22nd September and promotes public transport as well as other cleaner and healthier ways to travel to help promote good health and action on the climate.
The University of Sunderland has organised a whole week of events and activities to help encourage staff and students to think about how they can travel more sustainably.
Laura Kerry, Sustainability officer at the University, said: “The University of Sunderland is committed to reducing the carbon we generate through the day-to-day operation of the organisation, and we have set actions in the Travel Plan to implement a range of measures and campaigns to ensure our staff and students can travel in the most sustainable way possible.
“Modeshift TravelWise Week is a great opportunity of us to raise awareness of the sustainable transport options available for travelling to campus and we are delivering a number of activities to promote active travel, public transport and other cleaner and healthier transport choices.”
Here’s a guide to how to travel sustainably in Sunderland for this year’s TravelWise week.
Public Transport
Public transport is an easy way for staff and students to reduce their carbon footprint when commuting to the University’s campuses.
The University puts on a free bus service for our staff and students that goes between our campuses and student halls.
To get the best value, the University also works with public transport operators to promote flexible ticketing options and highlight to staff and students the best value tickets on offer.
Electric Vehicles
The University hosts a multitude of electric vehicles charging point on both its campuses and offers incentives like our Tusker Car Scheme, which allows staff who have electric or hybrid cars to pay for a car via a salary sacrifice arrangement.
The University also sports a fleet of fully electric vehicles to help in the maintenance and upkeep of our campuses.
Freshers this TravelWise week had the chance to check out some of the latest innovations in electric vehicles brought to campus by Audi Lookers.
Cycling
Cycling is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint as well as promote a healthier lifestyle. The University continues to work with Sunderland City Council to install more cycle parking and improve cycle routes onto campus.
The University is offering a pop-up bicycle repair service for students supported by the Sunderland Young People’s Bike project during the week on September 19 as well as encouraging students to participate in our active travel group.
There is also plenty of support when it comes to secure bike parking and free locks.
Find out more about how to travel sustainably at the University of Sunderland here.