Kate Strong will visit Norwich’s bike, e-bike and e-scooter share scheme, run by Beryl in partnership with Norfolk County Council and National Grid, on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 June. It will be the first of 30 sustainability projects she will visit during her 3000 mile cycle ‘Climate Cycle’ tour around mainland UK, during which Kate will be riding a bamboo bike and funding the planting of 3000 trees. 

Every project Kate visits has been specifically chosen to highlight a unique way in which people can help to save the planet. Beryl’s innovative Norwich scheme - the first in the country to offer three sustainable shared transport options under one single app - has been very successful in getting people out of their cars and onto two wheels, generating almost a million sustainable journeys across the city.

On Tuesday Beryl and National Grid will join Kate on her ride and are also offering riders free access to bikes and e-scooters so they can get involved. Participants can meet at 3pm at the Wymondham Library bay and take part in a 10 mile, 90 minute ride to Norwich, which is open to all abilities and will be mostly flat on cycle paths.

On arrival in Norwich, Beryl will be hosting a public event where Kate will talk about her upcoming challenge. Beryl, National Grid and local swap-shop New-U will be sharing sustainability tips and hosting a special upcycling workshop. The free event will run from 5pm to 8pm and is open to anyone interested in taking part.

On Wednesday 7 June, Kate will also be hosting another group ride at 10:30am, cycling from County Hall along Marriots Way to Gressenhall Museum. She will be joined on this ride by members of Norfolk County Council’s Active Travel Team and Beryl. 

Beryl ESG and Sustainability Manager, Sophie Noakes, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Kate on this very worthy cause and raising awareness of simple, achievable actions everyone can take to help protect our planet from devastation. 

“By swapping your car for shared transport, even if it's just for some shorter journeys, you’re helping contribute towards reducing traffic congestion and improving the quality of the air nearby. 

“Using sustainable transport is also a lot of fun and can help you get more active and boost your mental and physical health. 

“It can also be incredibly cost-effective, removing the expenditure on fuel, parking, tax, MOT, maintenance and storage - so why not join Kate on her exciting mission and give sustainable transport a go?”

Since its launch in March 2020, Beryl’s Norwich scheme has generated almost a million sustainable journeys across nearly three million kilometres - nearly 74 journeys around the Earth. More than a quarter of those journeys (26.4%) have replaced road transport journeys, including driving or being a passenger in a car, van, taxi or motorbike. According to industry calculations, this has saved over 150 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions. 

Kate will set off on her Climate Cycle tour from Cambridge on Monday 5 June, to coincide with World Environment Day. Kate will then spend three months highlighting projects and talking with people, communities, organisations, charities and councils about what they’re doing to mitigate climate change.

To find out more about Climate Cycle, visit katestrong.global/climatecycle/

For more information on Beryl’s innovative Norwich scheme, visit beryl.cc/norwich