From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, October 23, 2008

COMMUTERS in Exeter clocked up thousands of miles between them on their bicycles as part of the Cycle to Work Challenge during last month's Devon Car Free Day.

The competition, organised by Devon County Council's Cycle Exeter team, aimed to get employers to encourage as many of their staff to cycle as possible. From the wide range of companies that entered, four managed to get over 15% of their staff on bikes. That is over four times the national average.

The winners have now been announced for the four different categories of the challenge, with each winning company receiving £50 worth of vouchers.

Sands Consulting got 25% of its staff on two wheels to win the highest percentage of staff cycling - in the 21-50 staff category. The winner in the 50+ staff category was Faber Maunsell, with an impressive 28%. That makes it a hat-trick of awards for Faber Maunsell, which also won the TravelWise most creative award and best team effort for Devon Car Free Day.

Companies were also challenged to get as many "new" cyclists as possible to take to two wheels, to encourage more staff to get out of their cars. The winning company for the highest percentage of new cyclists was Atkins, which managed to get 18% of its staff on bikes. Of these, nearly 30% were not regular cyclists.

The award for the highest collective staff mileage has been won by the Environment Agency in Sowton, whose employees clocked up an impressive 220 miles between them.

Employees were also invited to nominate their colleagues for the "Individual Award" for anyone that deserved a special mention. Staff at Friends Provident in Winslade Park nominated Stuart Thorn, who has won £50 of vouchers. Stuart cycles to work from Countess Wear every day, rain or shine, and twice a week he also cycles his 4 year old son in a trailer to nursery on Sowton on the way to work.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "We are thrilled with the support we received from businesses in Exeter. The impressive figures for cycling to work - some with over 20% - show that it is possible to have a dramatic impact on changing the way people travel to work. Whilst this was a fun competition to support Devon Car Free Day, I am hopeful that it has helped a few people to view their bikes as a realistic option for getting to work."

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.