Coca-Cola and Thames Water join British Cycling campaign

Soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola and Thames Water are the latest businesses to announce their support for Choose Cycling, sports body British Cycling’s campaign to encourage everyday cycling.

The campaign also seeks to ensure government delivers on its promise to invest in cycle safety.

The Choose Cycling network has been joined by more than 30 companies since it was launched in March. Members include Orange, Santander, GlaxoSmithKline and National Grid.

British Cycling’s campaigns manager, Martin Key, said: “It is fantastic to see the likes of Coca-Cola, Thames Water, Abellio and Severn Trent Water pledge their support to #ChooseCycling and become the latest influential companies to publicly state their commitment to promoting cycling among their employees and customers.”

Between them the 30 member companies represent around 200,000 employees and have a total of around 46 million customers.

“Following the formation of the network, the companies involved wrote a joint open letter to the leaders of the main British political parties, urging them to form an integrated transport strategy for cycling,” said Key.

“Responding to this letter, David Cameron pointed to the £200m pledged to invest to make cycling safer. It is crucial now that we continue to build support for #ChooseCycling, and that this network plays its part in ensuring that the Prime Minister sticks to his promises and helps to transform Britain into a cycling nation.”

#ChooseCycling: The 10-point plan

1. Cycle-proofing: accommodate cycling in everything we do
2. Meaningful and consistent levels of investment
3. Consistent political leadership for cycling
4. Improving the justice system to protect and support vulnerable road users
5. Adding cycling safety to the driving test
6. Strengthening cycling safety provisions in the Highway Code
7. Road and cycle safety awareness
8. Reducing the risk to people on bikes from HGVs
9. Cycle training made available for all children
10. Reducing speed limits saves lives of all road users