The number of small businesses joining the Fresh Ways to Work project is growing and we have recently received a number of match-funded grant applications for company pool bikes, showers and other facilities. We have also been busy distributing our 10% discount vouchers for Ipswich cycle shops (see www.freshwaystowork.org.uk for participating shops) as well as our handy cycle maps, which show routes recommended by cyclists that follow quieter roads than you might not be aware of, helping make cycling around Ipswich a more enjoyable experience. If you’d like to find out how your business could benefit, please email Jo and Sharon at freshways@suffolk.gov.uk.

The Fresh Ways to Work project has recently expanded its reach to areas outside of Suffolk, with recent sign-ups in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill. If you know of any small businesses outside of Ipswich who could benefit from a helping hand in encouraging active, healthy and environmentally-friendly travel then please spread the word!

In other news, the first week of October saw National LiftShare week, with drivers across Suffolk encouraged to log onto www.suffolkcarshare.com. As the nights are drawing in and high fuel prices continue to drain our pockets, now is a great time to give carsharing a go. To help promote Suffolk Car Share, on 15th October Fresh Ways to Work and the Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking lunch at the Kesgrave Community Centre and invited Sarah Mortimer of Suffolk Car Share to explain how it all works and the substantial financial savings that can be made. Here’s a quick summary:

Anyone can register at www.suffolkcarshare.com and it’s completely free. The website also has an easy-to-use cost calculator so you can work out how much you’d save over the course of year, in terms of £s and CO2! To find a car-share buddy, all you need to do is log your journey, state whether you are offering or looking for a lift, whether it’s a one-off or regular journey and add any preferences (such as female-only or a non-smoker etc.) and you’ll be shown any available journeys that match your requirements. It’s that easy and could save you some serious money – the average car sharer saves approximately £1000 a year, according to research by the Department for Transport. Wouldn’t you rather be spending that on treating yourself than at the petrol pumps?!