News / Love to Ride
Cycling campaign steps up a gear
An initiative in Bristol that is encouraging more people to cycle is moving up a gear.
Love to Ride has received new funding from Triodos Bank – also based in Bristol – so it can get more people on their bikes.
The platform, which was launched in 2015, has over 550,000 users who have cycled more than 387 million miles between them.
It uses behavioural change theory to get more people cycling by engaging with people and business to run campaigns and competitions.
Love to Ride wants to be a global platform for getting more people cycling. Photo by Visit Bath
Love to Ride says that while the coronavirus pandemic saw a drop in commuting cycling, it saw a rise in recreation riding.
Thomas Stokell, CEO of Love to Ride, said: “We want to make Love to Ride the global platform for getting more people riding.
“While the pandemic presented numerous challenges for the business, the boom in cycling means that we’ve never felt more relevant.
“We only have one planet and, as we all look towards net zero and trying to improve the air quality in our cities, cycling has a huge role to play, so it’s a great opportunity for us to grow and reach more communities.”
Cyclers can register for Love to Ride for free and are encouraged to record their rides, set goals, share their experiences and engage with the community.
Love to Ride has received funding from Triodos Bank, which it hopes will help it reach more people.
Love to Ride’s main income is from local authorities and businesses that use the platform to get more people in their communities cycling.
Phill Bate, a business banking regional manager at Triodos, added: “We’re always looking to support businesses that are actively pushing towards a greener future.
“Encouraging more people to cycle – and examining the barriers to them getting on their bikes, particularly in urban areas – is key to this.
“We hope that this new finance will help Love to Ride to expand and create an even wider impact.”
Main photo by Sustrans
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