Manchester Commute Challenge
Source: Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign
News Posted: 16 Sept 2008
The Manchester 'Commute Challenge' took place today 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.
Organised by the Greater Manchester Cycling 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.
Today 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 will provide a exciting way of illustrating the costs and environmental benefits of different forms of transport.
Olly Glover, Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign Secretary said:
"It is often claimed that the car is superior to other forms of transport in terms of cost, convenience and speed. The Commute Challenge will put these claims to the test using a typical commuting distance. I look forward to seeing how the bicycle performs, as bikes are too often dismissed as an outmoded and impractical means of travel - but we will see".
The challenge commuters will be greeted at the finish line in Albert Square by Councillor Richard Cowell (Executive Member for Environment).
The Bike Wins! Who Knew!!!
Fastest
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.
Cheapest
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 1.10GBP (using a yearly season ticket)and the car journey cost 2.30GBP plus parking costs on the day of 5GBP for 2 hours.
Greenest
- In terms of C02 emissions, again the bicycle came out best - with zero
- 2nd Place - train commuter - 382 grams
- 3rd Place - bus commuter 603 grams
- 4th Place - car had the highest emissions level for the journey of 1123 grams.
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 and transport based groups taking a lead in the debate."
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