Bristol’s Clean Air Zone has launched this week and we are continuing to support local businesses if they need to replace, upgrade, or retrofit their vehicles, and help them to find more sustainable ways to travel around the city.

Opting for more sustainable modes of transport not only helps to clean up the air we breathe in the city but it’s also a great way to stay active. Regularly walking and cycling, for example, helps to keep you healthy physically but also mentally as well, which is even more important as the colder, dark winter nights roll in.

We know we can’t achieve clean air for Bristol on our own, and that’s why we’re so pleased to see such high interest in the support we’re offering to businesses; from the 50% match funded travel grants of up to £20,000 to improve sustainable transport provision in the workplace, to loans that can be put to upgrading cars, vans, and heavy goods vehicles.

BBC Studios

BBC Studios have taken part in our business electric pool bike scheme to help their staff travel easily between offices in the city. The three bikes have made over 2,000 miles of sustainable journeys since the summer. The bikes have proved popular among staff who have said they’re “very easy” to use and make journeys much quicker. The e-bikes help keep organisational flow between offices and have also inspired staff to think more long-term about transport options other than cars.

Pamela Parkes, Unit Manager at BBC Studios said, “This is a great scheme and I can’t think of anything that would make it better. Staff have really embraced using the e-bikes and it has empowered them to consider cycling for business purposes as a viable and reliable option.”

The business electric pool bike scheme allows organisations to try out bikes free of charge for up to 6 months, as a way of encouraging staff to use an e-bike for work travel instead of a car.

Staff at BBC Studios have made such good use of their trial pool bikes that the organisation is now considering buying some e-bikes for permanent use. The council offer 50% match funded grants to help businesses invest in sustainable travel provision. Funding can be put towards purchasing e-bikes, cycle storage or electric vehicle charge points.

No action is too small in the journey to cleaner air for all. Fully funded small travel grants are on offer as well, up to the value of £250. Some ideas for small grants include organising a bike/walk breakfast or purchasing prizes to run your own active travel challenge. More information can be found on the Travelwest website.

Zedify

One company that is already making a difference to the air in Bristol is Zedify who specialise in zero-emissions deliveries. Using a combination of trikes, bikes, and an electric van, they consolidate nationwide deliveries at their depot and provide the last part of the journey to customers using battery power.

Speaking about the Clean Air Zone in Bristol, Simon Whitehead, Directing Manager at Zedify, said “I fully support the Clean Air Zone. We want Bristol to be a nice environment to live and work in for our families and children.”

If you’re feeling inspired to change transport habits in your workplace or business, please do get in touch. You can find out more information about all the available financial support for businesses on our website.

For all the latest news about Bristol’s Clean Air Zone, grants, funding and training opportunities for Bristol businesses, sign up to the council’s weekly business newsletter.