The bike proved to be the quicker form of transport for travelling to work in Eastbourne’s transport challenge, with a bicycle beating an Audi TT by 60 seconds and arriving at its destination in just 11 minutes 42 seconds.
On the morning of Friday 16 October the bicycle was pitted against the car to travel from the Somerfield Polegate Roundabout on the A22 to the Council Offices at 1 Grove Road to find out which was the fastest mode of transport for getting to work.
Following a shorter challenge that the bike won earlier this year covering a journey from Ocklynge School to the town centre, the bike triumphed again at this longer distance, beating congestion caused by commuter traffic and avoiding being held up searching for a parking space.
The challenge was supported by representatives from two local cycling groups Bespoke and Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club, and from three Grove Road organisations, Sussex Police, the Tri Store and Eastbourne Borough Council.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Steve Wallis said “What a brilliant challenge and a great victory for the bike suggesting that it really is the better mode of transport. Not only does cycling offer great benefits for your health and is better for the environment, but it actually is quicker for journeys in and around town. I hope the results of this challenge will encourage more residents to get on their bike and cycle to work.”
13 bikes competed against two cars to cover the journey with safety and adhering to the rules of the road being paramount. Following the arrival of the Audi TT in second place, it was then six bikes that arrived next beating the Mini that took 18 minutes 13 seconds in total, all travelling via the A22. Some of the bikes chose to use the national cycle route 21 to avoid the hills and traffic and one of them still only took 4.5 minutes longer than the mini.
