Cycle to Work Challenge - the Results

 
The Manchester 'Commute Challenge' took place on 16th September and saw four commuters travel by bicycle, bus, car and train from Heaton Chapel to Manchester City Centre to find out which means of transport is cheapest, easiest, fastest and healthiest over an average commuting distance. 

On the day the cyclist was the quickest, completing the journey to the steps of Manchester Town Hall in only 20 minutes. The train commuter was second with a journey time of 35 minutes, the car driver came in third in 43 minutes and the wooden spoon went to the bus commuter, whose journey took 52 minutes.

The cyclist also had the lowest cost for the commute – estimated at 38.5p, the bus commuter would pay 90p (using a 4 week Megarider ticket), the train ticket would cost £1.10 (using a yearly season ticket)and the car journey cost £2.30 plus parking costs on the day of £5 for 2 hours.

In terms of C02 emissions, again the bicycle came out best – with zero C02 emissions from fuel use, the train commuter was the next lowest (382 grams for the journey, the bus commuter (603 grams) and the car had the highest emissions level for the journey of 1123 grams.

Organised by the Greater Manchester Cycle Campaign, each commuter took the quickest legal route available for their mode of transport. The approximate distance 5 miles (by road) and was selected because over half of all car trips are estimated to be less than 5 miles. 16th September also sees the launch of European Mobility Week which provides an opportunity for towns and cities to promote sustainable travel modes.  With traffic congestion, CO2 emissions and rising fuel prices in the headlines the Commute Challenge provided an exciting way of illustrating the costs and environmental benefits of different forms of transport.

Olly Glover, Greater Manchester Cycle Campaign Secretary said: "the Commute Challenge was an objective exercise to illustrate which form of transport is best for the environment, health, cost, is quickest and most convenient – on all counts the bicycle came first.

The challenge commuters were greeted at the finish line in Albert Square by Councillor Richard Cowell (Executive Member for Environment) who said: "Commute Challenge has been an interesting way to raise awareness of the transport decisions we are faced with on a day to day basis. In December, the people of Greater Manchester will be making a big decision on the future of transport. It is great to see Greater Manchester Cycle Campaign and other community & transport based groups taking a lead in the debate."