Goodman makes tracks to get occupiers on their bikes at Arlington Business Park, Reading
16 June 2010
Local businesses at Arlington Business Park, in Reading, embraced pedal power today in a bid to rethink their everyday journeys, as part of National Bike Week 2010 (19th to 27th June), the UK’s biggest annual promotion of cycling.
The event, organised by leading property group Goodman, which owns, develops and manages most of the Park, encourage park occupiers to ride to work and featured performances by Europe’s leading mountain bike stunt display team M.A.D (Mountain Bike Aerial Display).
Against a backdrop of high quality office buildings three riders, including the current British Mountain Bike Trials Champion and a former Junior World Champion, performed death defying leaps, jumps, hops and balancing skills using their mountain bikes to display mind boggling control, skill, and balance.
Occupiers rediscovered the joys of cycling by visiting a range of information stalls. West Berkshire Council Highways Team provided information on road safety, cycle routes and cycle to work schemes, while Thames Valley Police from Pangbourne Police Station urged occupiers to think about crime prevention and bike security and offered bike post code stamping.
Any bikes in need of repair were taken to see ‘Dr Bike’ at a bike surgery provided by local retailer AW Cycles, which also offered occupiers the opportunity to test ride and purchase mountain bikes and the latest hybrids, touring and trekking models, plus the chance to buy trendy cycling gear. Local catering firms La Baguetterie and Café2U were on hand to supply food and refreshments.
Richard Potter, Property Services Director of UK Business Parks for Goodman, said: “As one of the leading providers of business space we pride ourselves on creating high quality working environments for our customers. At Arlington Business Park we operate a Green Travel Plan, to encourage occupiers to use sustainable modes of transport, whilst implementing measures to reduce car dependence. By teaming up with local partners and encouraging our occupiers to take part in Bike Week we hope to inspire them to incorporate cycling into their everyday life, whether for work or for leisure. We’re geared up for cycling, with many occupiers’ buildings incorporating secure cycle parking and shower facilities, so they can get fit while reducing their carbon footprint.”
Nick Ellicott, Global Facilities Manager of Acision, the world’s leading messaging company which provides communication solutions for over 300 network operators and service providers globally, said: “It’s been great to find out about road safety and cycle routes around Reading and how we can swap the car for the bike. Not only has it been educational, it provided a good opportunity to meet other occupiers on the Park.”
Set within a superb natural setting, Arlington Business Park is situated near Reading, close to Junction 12 of the M4 and Theale Railway Station ensuring the Park is well served by all modes of transport and highly sustainable. It offers wide range of high quality office space, with 78,000 sq ft available at the park, and is situated around a stunning landscaped lake that provides a relaxed working environment for its occupiers, attracting companies such as Pepsi Co, KPMG and RBS.
Ends
About Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
Goodman Group is an integrated property group with operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Goodman Group, comprised of the stapled entities Goodman Limited and Goodman Industrial Trust, is the largest industrial property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and one of the largest listed industrial property groups globally.
Goodman’s global property expertise, integrated own+develop+manage customer service offering and significant fund management platform ensures it creates innovative property solutions that meet the individual requirements of its customers, whilst seeking to deliver attractive long-term returns for investors. In Europe, Goodman has offices in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.
Please visit: www.goodman.com
For further information on Goodman please contact:
Joanna Reid 020 7269 9348 jo.reid@fd.com
Richard Stocks 020 7269 9355 richard.stocks@fd.com