Bute certainly has its fair share of cyclists - and it's not surprising when you consider how easily we can explore the island's natural assets!
But cycling is more than just a fun, healthy activity. By opting for bike rides over car trips, we're also choosing to have a positive impact on our environment.
Think that one more bicycle can't make that much of a difference? Think again ...:)
Swapping Four Wheels for Two
A study by University of Oxfords Transport Unit suggests that someone switching just one daily car trip per week to cycling can reduce their annual carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes over the course of a year - that's the equivalent of driving an average UK car for about 1,250 miles, or the electricity use of one household for about 4 months!
Cycling v Car Emissions
Cycling also emits about 30 times less per passenger-kilometre compared to driving a fossil fuel car, when the full life cycle of each is taken into account (manufacturing, fuel/food, and disposal)
Engine v Pedal Power on Pollution
Unlike cars, which are major sources of greenhouse gases and pollutants that contribute to air pollution, bicycles are human-powered and produce virtually zero harmful emissions during operation.
Repair v Recycling
Many bikes that lie in dusty garages are eventually thrown out across the UK. However, surveys suggest that whilst over 11,000 broken bicycles are thrown away annually across the UK, many components (aluminium, steel, rubber) could be reused or recycled.
Bute works hard to maintain its status as a Zero Waste Town. This is why our approach is so important: while responsibly recycling broken bikes is good, restoring a broken bike has far more value for the environment and our community than just recycling it.
This philosophy is the key to Positive Pedals' environmental and social aims, which are built on these four simple steps that help both people and the planet:
Positive Pedals' Cycle of Life
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1. Saving Bikes from the Dump: When people donate their old bikes, they are directly saving them from becoming landfill waste. We take that unwanted item and turn it into a valuable asset again.
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2. Providing Employability Skills: We don't just 'fix bikes'; we use them to change lives. Our team provides hands-on training to island residents seeking a fresh start. By fixing and restoring these bikes, they gain confidence and valuable job skills.
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3. Making Cycling Affordable for Everyone: once the bikes are restored and professionally safety-checked, we sell them on at low prices. This means people who can't usually afford a reliable bike get access to fun, healthy transportation.
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4. Reinvesting in our Community: Funds generated from the sales of these bikes are then reinvested back into the charity to continue the Positive Pedals cycle.
Join Us in Our Mission!
At Positive Pedals, we’re helping to cultivate a sustainable mindset on the Isle of Bute. Through our commitment to diverting the waste stream and offering valuable training, we are helping to build a brighter future for everyone.
So ... join us! We would love you to get involved in whatever way you can to help us in our mission!